Margaret Barnes, member of Olivet Moravian Church, has served as Elder, Sunday School teacher and is active many areas of the Moravian Church. This letter was in response to an E-Mail that was circulated from Rev. Aden Ward of Madison Wisconsin. Who wrote How wonderful it would be to have gay and lesbian clergy and their partners leading our Churches.

   See Letter from Rev. Aden Ward 
  See response from Margaret Leinbach
See response from John Scepanski
 See response from Jan Comer

Rev. Aden A Ward
 725 Gilmore Street Madison, WI 53711

Dear Rev. Aden Ward,

I read your comments concerning the Mission Board members' resignation because of the push to accept homosexuals in the main stream of our church, including the ministry. You seem to infer homosexuality as an "acceptable life style." If .this is true then God's word is a "non-essential" -Romans 1 :26; 1 Timothy 1 :20 and 2 Samuel 1:26. It is hard for me to believe that intelligent people uphold this uncouth act!

You want to be "on one stem growing" with the Southern Province. If you uphold persons who participate in this unholy act -I choose not to be "on the stem" with you.

Homosexuals are born children of God -true, but I feel Satan has claimed them as his own and is laughing at all humans who choose this lifestyle because they are going against Christ's teachings.

Think of all the children -the world over- who suffer because of someone's selfish desires. The children were not given a choice. Why do people think only of themselves? Isn't God supposed to be our priority?

If the American people continue this liberal attitude of "anything that feels good -do it; it is my right and choice," America will fall. I do not believe that God is happy with our free will choices, which go against His teachings. America was founded on religious freedom -not freedom from religion (God)! Other great nations have fallen and our America can too. Do you choose to contribute to "our decay?"

The homosexuals should not be in a leadership capacity. Our youth do not need to be encouraged to choose that lifestyle!

I pray that these individuals will find strength in Jesus Christ, as their Savior, to practice self control and encourage their "like" peers to do the same. They need to keep a low profile of their behavior and promote Jesus Christ as their Savior who forgives if asked. He gives strength to resist temptation also.

Yes. Jesus Christ and His teachings are essentials of our Moravian faith! We cannot spend too much time learning and practicing His lessons as taught through His examples in The Holy Bible. It is the foundation upon which America was settled and I hope it will remain our foundation until Christ comes again!

We Moravians, as well as other Christian faiths, must do our part to promote and uphold God's Word as long as we remain on His earth!

A Concerned Christian,
Margaret w. Barnes 

cc. Robert Sawyer