Rev. Nancy Wilson

The Reverend Nancy Wilson was installed as the Presiding Bishop as scheduled, but not before MCC committed to removing the "Focus on the Human Family" name from its website. The service's program followed the original theme of "Unfinished World, Unfinished Calling," but references to the disputed name were not to be found.

Wilson, who in 1976 became the youngest person ever elected to the MCC Board of Elders and has served as an Elder since that time, takes over the denomination from Troy Perry, who founded it in 1968. Wilson lives with her partner of 27 years, Dr. Paula Schoenwether.

"It's a bit puzzling," said Wilson. "The ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches is so different from that of James Dobson. His group tends to focus on one kind of family, what they often mistakenly call the "traditional family." In Metropolitan Community Churches, we believe that God's people find many ways to create family, and that includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families."

"Even though many of our views are diametrically opposed, apparently Dobson's organization feels the name of Metropolitan Community Church's new campaign could create confusion for people," she added.

However, it seems MCC had intentionally chosen the name as an ironic play on Dobson's organization. Ekklesia, a newssite focusing on religion and church issues, reported the unveiling of MCC's new program as 'an initiative to combat spiritual violence against gays and lesbians. ... especially ... to challenge the hostile stance of groups like Dr James Dobson's Focus on the Family.

The similarities of the two names was not lost on one blogger who noted the announcement of "Focus on the Human Family" in July: "One cannot help but catch the significance, when it is realized that James Dobson, founder of the "Focus on the Family" staff is rabidly anti-gay, anti-Christian, and anti-family, in spite of what he claims. As long as Dobson is a homophobic bigot, he's of no use to any thinking person. F--- him. Hurrah for Troy Perry and all those who work alongside him."

Wilson, in her sermon at the installation service referenced Dobson's organization by reading a message from a MCC pastor in Boston, Michael Cooper. "While our denomination is gathered in Washington, D.C., today, several of us from MCC Boston are joining with others to hold a prayer vigil outside Focus on the Family's program "Love Won Out" � an ex-gay conference here in Boston. ... Please remember us today as we continue the struggle here in Boston against religious homophobia and discrimination."

"How many here tried becoming an "ex-gay?" Wilson asked the attendees. "Welcome home!"

"Love Won Out" is an educational outreach program that promotes the message "homosexuality is preventable and treatable," according to it's website.

"Dobson's group is certainly within their rights to defend their trademark as they see fit," conceded Wilson. "They may be able to stop the name of our program, but they can't stop our ministry or our commitment to all members of the human family, especially those that have experienced rejection by other faith communities."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47125

END