Episcopal Press and News

National Episcopal Organization Cancels Colorado Meeting

Episcopal News Service. January 15, 1993 [93010R]

The Executive Committee of the Association of Diocesan Liturgy and Music Commissions (ADLMC) of the Episcopal Church voted unanimously at its recent meeting to decline an offer to hold its 1995 meeting in the state of Colorado. Colorado's recent referendum withdrawing legal protection for gay and lesbian citizens was cited as the reason. The Rev. James Newman, ADLMC president, communicated the decision to state officials in Colorado. Newman, a priest in the Diocese of Los Angeles, noted that ADLMC's theme for the next five years is focused on "hospitality, welcome, inclusion and inculturation in the Body of Christ." Since the Episcopal Church's General Convention has opposed legal discrimination against gay and lesbian people and because ADLMC is a Christian organization, "we feel that we cannot in good conscience meet in Colorado at this time," Newman said. He expressed the hope that voters would reconsider the amendment. "We pray for a time when hearts will be less hard in this matter and when all God's children have the same equality in the eyes of the state that they have in the eyes of God." Newman expressed hope that the association could meet in Colorado at some other point.