Sexuality issues to be discussed at ELCA meeting at Aitkin church

AITKIN -- The ordination of gays and the blessing of same-sex marriages are among the topics expected to be discussed at a day-long dialogue on "Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality" Jan. 31 at the First Lutheran Church in Aitkin.

The presentation, designed for lay people, is sponsored by a task force on the study of sexuality that was established by the Northeast Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Mary Farmer, a member of the task force, said the ELCA is expected to decide on the issues of the ordination of gays and the blessing of same-sex unions in August of 2005.

The presenters will be David E. Fredrickson and Robert A.J. Gagnon. The session will begin with 9 a.m. registration, followed by a 9:30 a.m. presentation by Fredrickson and Gagnon, a noon lunch, a 12:45 p.m. response from the presenters, 2 p.m. small group sessions where questions may be assembled and a 3 p.m. forum by the presenters, lasting one hour, in response to small group questions.

The church is at 107 Second St. S.E. in Aitkin.

Fredrickson serves at Luther Seminary as an associate professor. He received degrees from Luther Seminary and Yale University. He's a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Gagnon is an associate professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He received degrees from Dartmouth College, Harvard Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is an ordained elder of the Presbyterian Church.

Cost of the session is $15 and registration is limited to 300. For more information contact the First Lutheran Church in Aitkin at (218) 927-2028.