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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>You probably know that
resolutions that will be considered at the 2010 World Conference are being
communicated to the church through the Herald, beginning with the October
issue. You also probably know that in past years the
resolutions have been posted on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">World</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> web site. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>You may also be aware that there
have been resolutions approved in mission centers for
consideration at World Conference which deal with issues
concerning the participation of gay men and lesbians in the
church. During the fall meeting of the World Church Leadership Council, a
decision was made not to post the resolutions dealing with these issues on
the church's web page. This decision was made due to concern expressed by
members of the council from some countries that the appearance of those resolutions
on the web site could place the presence of the church and/or its members in
those countries in legal or other jeopardy.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>For that reason, those resolutions will
be published in the Herald, and are sent to mission centers to publicize
internally. I have attached resolutions G-1 through G-8 for you to use in
informing congregations of the matters to be considered at the World
Conference. I have also attached a file that includes educational materials
that review the history of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">World</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s official action
with reference to the question of the participation of gay men and
lesbians in the church. They are largely presented in
chronological order. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>It would be helpful to the church
members and friends in the congregations, and particularly those
who were elected as delegates and alternates to the World Conference, for
this information to be made available for
their review. Please make them available within your
congregations.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>As further resolutions are sent to
me for distribution, regardless of the subjects which they address, I will send
them to you in this same manner. In that way, the congregations, and the
delegates and alternates, will have access to the information in order
to consider it in preparation for the World Conference.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>It is certain that there are a
number of matters before the World Conference about which people
have strong feelings. I appreciate the way that we have engaged in discussion
concerning these matters, and encourage us to continue to prayerfully uphold
each other and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">World</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> leaders as
we prepare to meet together in conference in April.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>In Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'><br>
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Terry Shelton</st1:PersonName> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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