Youth – Lakewood United Church of Christ

In celebration of the 25th anniversary as an Open and Affirming Church, Lakewood/Trinity United Church of Christ publicly redeclared the enthusiastic welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons into the full life and ministry of the church in today’s service. To demonstrate this wide open welcome to those who have often found church to be a hostile and hurtful place, a gay pride/transgender flag was raised on the church grounds. Metro Inclusive Health and Equality Florida also gave presentations on their work in our community as part of this special commemoration. Many thanks to all who attended this important event and a special thanks to the Outreach Committee for all that was done to make it happen!

                       “Hope will never be silent.” Harvey Milk

SB 1044/HB 931: Why Chaplains in Public Schools Are a Bad Idea Government-sanctioned chaplains make sense in some settings, but not in public schools.There are contexts in which individuals cannot access their religious services — such as the military, a prison, or a hospital — which is hardly the case for children in public school. Military members may have security or language barriers in finding a house of worship while on deployment. Incarcerated individuals are not given a “religious hall pass” to leave prison and attend the corporate worship service of their own choosing. Hospitalized patients may be too sick or far away from their congregations to engage in meaningful religious exercise. Public school children simply do not face the barriers to religious exercise that service members, prisoners, and patients face.

Here are some talking points about this bill:Families, not the government, are responsible for their children’s spiritual development. The government should not assert authority for the spiritual development and formation of public school children. Public schools should not interfere or alter parental decisions in the realm of religious exercise or spiritual care.Parents or guardians must have the right to choose the religious leaders who will influence their children’s spiritual journey. In order to do this, they must have enough information to choose a spiritual care provider. Awareness of a chaplain’s religious/denominational affiliation (or none) is not enough information to make an informed decision. Faith is voluntary and should not be coerced. There is no requirement in this law that the chaplains refrain from proselytizing while at schools or that they serve students from different religious backgrounds. This lack of proper boundaries surrounding what chaplains are allowed to do is very problematic. Passing a background check is not a sufficient litmus test to be given the title of “chaplain.” Professional chaplains have specific education and expertise to fulfill their role in helping others engage their own religious practices and traditions.Chaplains are typically required to have a graduate theological degree and be supported by an approved organization connected to their spiritual tradition. In some settings, chaplains also must have one to two years of full-time experience as a religious or spiritual leader prior to becoming a chaplain. Many chaplains are ordained in their faith tradition. Board certified chaplains in healthcare go through a rigorous certification process, pursuing hundreds of hours of extensive training and hands-on experience. More information is needed about the requirements for becoming a volunteer chaplain within this bill. Proper chaplaincy training prepares chaplains to follow the lead of the individuals seeking spiritual care without imposing their own faith tradition upon the individual. (For example, a Jewish military chaplain would advocate that a Muslim service member be able to pray the five daily prayers while deployed. A Christian hospital chaplain would help an atheist patient explain to her family that she has peace of mind in her belief that there is no afterlife because it is the type of spiritual care requested.)Consider supporting religious freedom and parental rights by rejecting this harmful program to have government-approved chaplains in our public schools. Contact your legislators TODAY!Click on the proposed house and senate bills which are identical to read more: SB 1044; HB 931. To read about the advocacy work done in Texas on a similar school chaplains bill, click here.