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WEATHER Thunderstorms P TUESDAY Thunderstorms Columbi ^Columbia couple finds church that combines spiritwihty,homosexuality in the Christian faith ERIN SHAW Staff Writer Michelle, a 26-year-old Columbia President, is busy being a newlywed. She's proud of her wedding ring, building her savings and planning on starting a family. She beams when she talks about being in love. Along with decorating the house and establishing bank accounts, her new shared life included finding a church. Not only did she have to find a church she felt comfortable joining, she was faced with an additional challenge ? would that church accept her and her partner? ^ Michelle's partner is a woman named Emily. And they're Christians. "We're a normal, active couple that loves God and loves to go to church," Michelle said After their marriage "union" ceremony, Michelle and Emily searched for a church where they could be honest about themselves and their relationship. They attended several churches, but ^didn't feel this acceptance until they attended Columbia's Metropolitan Community Church, led by the pastor who performed their union, Reverend Patricia Voelker. MCC is not an exclusively "gay" church. It does, however, offer "primary, but not exclusive, ministry to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of the Midlands of South Carolina," t according to a church brochure. This is something Voelker stresses. She said she would rather have it known as a place that accepts all people, regardless of religious background and sexual orientation. "One way to get my gander up is to call us a gay church," Voelker said. "Most of us happen to be gay, but the church has no gender or sexuality. We don't turn anyone away from here. If you come for !11 1 J-l J_ i ) ^ a service, yuu wiu near me worus gay and 'lesbian,' but you won't here the words you're only good if like you hear in many other churches." A diverse congregation Raised Methodist, Voelker said she was called to the ministry at age 49 after "coming out" to herself as a lesbian 10 years prior. She has been pastor for about %two years. She said her identity as a lesbian does not conflict with her identity as Christian. "My understanding of God is that God is so broad, he creates diversity," Voelker said. "God gave us our sexuality as much as he gave us our spirituality." Voelker said she sees diversity in people, and her congregation, as a reflection of the diversity of God. She Gibbes Planetarium brings universe down to Earth Gibbes Planetarium's show, "Through the Eyes of Hubble," is scheduled to begin Saturday and run through June 22. The program is being brought back by popular demand and has been updated since its 1996 debut to include the latest V discoveries. Show times are every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The planetarium's on-going Carolina Sides program is shown at 3 pjn. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets to either show are 50 cents with paid museum admission, which is $2 for % GAMECOCK ONLINE Vis ia church i ~ \ - - ? #% \ l\ . ' O *e ^ L k Reverend Patricia Voelker speaks 1 give, ministry to the lesbian, gay, bis said one of her favorite sayings is, 1 was created in God's image, not your image of God." This is part of VoelkeFs philosophy when people voice their disagreement with her life by basing their arguments on the Bible. She said she believes the frequently quoted passages are twisted by those who want to build a case against homosexuality, a case substantiated by cultural reinforcement throughout the centuries. Tf they ever want to quote what Jesus says about it (homosexuality), they'll have to remain silent," she said "There's nothing in the New Testament that says homosexuals are wrong." Homosexuality in the Bible Jimmy Gahagan, official representative of USC's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, said the Bible does address homosexuality as a sin. "The Rihle is nrettv clear in that. *"v ? homosexuality is wrong," Gahagan said. "Homosexuality needs to be dealt with like any other sin. I would be against the concept of a church established on a principle I couldn't accept." Dave Patehin, director of Campus Crusade for Christ, shares similar views. He also said there is a place for homosexuals in the church ? those who adults, $1.50 for students and seniors and free for museum members and children under 6. Call the Starline at 254-STAR for information. Engineering students shines at regional conference This year, Virginia Tech was the host of t!he SouthEasternConference sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. USC's TEEE student branch entered robots and web homepages for competition; took first place in software competition with Brian Poteat, Glenn Dawson and Jason Majors; and won a paper/presentation contest with Rob Bierman. The use XUD171 Excelsior | | Ti u Trio is L. THIRI " graduate PiCf student chamber music trio. They recently placed third in _ national competition. More in ETC >it the Gamecock's Home or t(5 Serving US offers a w0> ^ /. # \ p "i - - to her congregation at the Metro] exual and transgender community recognize their "sexual sin" and don't act on their homosexual tendencies. "People who are struggling with this issue need compassion and they need tr be cared for," Patehin said. "They don't need to be ostracized." USC Religious Studies Professor Kevin Lewis said the founding of churches for the needs of specific "niche groups* is on the rise, particularly in the South. He said he speaks as a Christian and an academic professor in supporting the right for the MCC to exist and for members to call themselves Christians, "As controversial as it may be, (the MCC) is an expression of groups that Unvrn rr??ATim rvP 4-V* a 1 Aohofnr* /vP iia.vc giuwii tucu ui biic lutnoicp ui wiu tradition that won't change," Lewis said "Why it pleases some Christians tc think that homosexuals choose to be homosexuals is beyond me," Lewis said. "It reflects upon their own peculiar waj of dealing with sexuality than upon guidance received from scripture." Support and acceptance Voelker stresses the absence of hostility or rejection toward a person for not prescribing to rigid church doctrine at MCC. She said MCC accepts people "where they are, not where we want them to be." According to Voelker, many members Friends of C PERRY SOLUBLE Staff Writer The Friends of the Congaree Swam help maintain the Congaree Swamp Park is to develop funds, volunteers and a legislators to better the swamp. The Congaree Swamp was establish* is the last significant tract of river bottoi Southeast. On June 30,1983, the Ui designated the park as an Internatioi Reserve. The park is an international treasure said Carol Lamb, a Friends group men As one of only 300 in the world, the Co has state and national champion trees ai H TVi J * * Ga ^ ont i the World Wide Web http:// mi 'C since 1908 ilternate < """um i poll tan Community Church. The chu y of the Midlands of South Carolina" a have been rejected from their families, communities and churches ? places i people turn for support. Church member Michelle knows all about hatred. While studying religion and psychology at Converse College in Spartanburg, she > said she was frequently harassed for her ' sexual orientation, receiving what she called "close to death threats," ranging 1 from harassing messages on her i answering machine to posters with offensive names taped to her door. She said she prides herself on not being ! hypocritical and not judging those who ; are so ready to judge her. 1 "I can understand how it's really hard to go against what you were taught all > your life," she said in response to those s who tell her she's going to hell for being a lesbian. "I respect other people's rights r to their opinions. It means I have a right l to my own." Spirituality is one tie that binds Michelle and Emily, one reason it was so important ior tnem to noia a marriage ceremony and find a church to attend as a couple, Michelle said. At MCC, she can hold hands and receive communion with Emily during the service without being stared at. The concept of MCC as a place of safe worship is important to the congregation, Voelker said. iongaree Swar of land. In the past five yei 60 nations have signed th< The group has organii p is a group to ga^ deals with t ^ issues. The second handle dvocacy with 'pgg tgjrd group operates f group works on upcoming >d in 1976 and deals with public relations m forest in the The Friends Group wai lited Nations and about the park. They w lal Biosphere 0f law enforcement officer: The group must follow s to the people," raise money. Their idea is iber. Dublic and the Dark. ngaree Swamp The Friends group is in id 22,200 acres access road into the park ; Lady DOW] mecocks take ; step closer to an DOG: ampionship with )ur-game sweep of the D4 orgia Bulldogs. re in SPORTS. www.gamecock.sc.edu cock i_l__ tfute on r * 6 c T\ ? I i TORI O'HARA The Gamecock rch offers "primary, bat not excluiccording to a church brochure. "If the biggest bigot comes in, I can't stop him from walking in the door," Voelker said. She said she would only ask someone to leave if they threatened church members. Reaching out Voelker said that although they have received no negative feedback from other churches in the community, they haven't been openly embraced by any, either. Voelker said she wished she would be invited to one of the various groups of churches that continue ongoing dialogues in the Columbia area. She said she hopes for not only increased spirituality within the church, but increased visibility in the community. Voelker said one way of doing this is by reaching out to entire communities and people of different faiths. i She said she looks forward to continuing the guest preaching series, when members of the MCC invite 1 ministers afotherfeiths to deliver sermons 1 during Sunday services. "This isn't a bar, this isn't a pickup place," she said. "This is a place where s people who have experienced God share t that with other people. i "How could anyone want to put that f down? Why is that anything but a cause s for celebration?" np unite for p irs, people from more than enters it is prr i park's register. They want sed five task forces, Lamb ranger's statioi he organization and bylaw who come to tt ;s the membership aspect, like to raise ft und raising, and the fourth Lamb said 1 I projects. The fifth group all come togetl J : o t~I ) aim images. oeii. tiuim its to enhance education in both present a ant to establish the presence that the Cong 3 in the park. The group r federal guidelines to help Congaree Swa j to intertwine the general and 4. Events Banning." A1 terested in making a public reservations a because the only road that 776-4396, ext. What is the total distanc Pluto and back in miles S 5 ANSWER: 7,000,00 Source: Harper's Index INDEX Viewpoints 2 Etc. 3 Comics 4 Sports 5 Classified 6 eligion Church members appreciate freedom /I mm 1 1 i /> for worship, behets ERIN SHAW Staff Writer The MCC's view of acceptance is jvidenced in their non-traditional views >n just exactly who and what God is. The acceptance of the many faces of lesus is one of the main tenants of belief it the MCC. There is an illustration of i black Jesus on the wall, and they refer o God as "God," not as male or female. Members' individual needs are taken nto account as much as possible. For jxample, they use grape juice instead of vine in communion to support members vho may be in recovery from drug or dcohol addictions. The first time you hear someone say Jesus is a blade man,' or God is a woman," ts like Whoah, wait a minute," member Michelle said. "But then, when you think ibout it, it's a wonderful concept. Who s to say God is anything other than God. It's almost degrading to the Spirit." MCC is like many other Christian hurches in several capacities. They have Sunday worship services consisting of 3ible passages, music performed by a :horal group and prayers. There are about 40 regular members rf" the church. They come from all different aackgrounds, ranging from Baptist to Catholic. Members represent all walks )f life and positions in the community ? from USC students to professionals, [n addition to Sunday services, MCC aolds a Tuesday night prayer group. Members share Sunday pot luck lunches and support community service projects. Sunday services and other church activities highlight MCC's diversity, :ombining many elements of worship from various Christian faiths. "We have a wonderfully spiritual ivorsmp service, voelKer said, une 01 the neat things about this church is that this congregation has a positive feel. We have a cross-section of people. We have singles, couples, women and men." The MCC of Columbia is part of a Christian denomination called the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Churches, based in Los Angeles. The UFMCC is made up of 300 churches worldwide. The doctrine of the churches is based upon the principles of the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. The specifics of worship services differ from church to church, each left up to combine elements of traditional and progressive worship as they choose. The UFMCC was founded in 1968 by Rev. Troy Perry, a Pentecostal preacher who was rejected from his ministry because he was gay. Voelker emphasized 1968 as ignificant in terms of civil rights. It's he year before Stonewall, the historic iprising in which a group of gay men untested a police raid on a gay bar, often leen as a turning point for gay rights. reservation /ate. ; to obtain the money to increase the i to make it more interesting for people te swamp. Eventually, the group would mds for an amphitheater in the park, the Friends group is "a lot of groups that ler for the environment." Courson and Rep. James Smith were t the first meeting to "reiterate the role Tess plays for the state," Lamb said. ? A A *111 1 1 1 If ft i s next meeting win De neia may e. imp NatureFest will be held May 2,3, i include the "Owl Prowl" and "Bird 1 programs are free, but advanced re required. For more information, call 304. V FOR 0,000 ^ FUN