The Oasis/Missouri
The Oasis/Missouri assists gay, lesbian, and transgendered Episcopalians, their families, and friends by providing support, resources, and educational materials to assist their congregations and clergy to be more open and welcoming to all people.

One of the ways we do this is by providing an Oasis Congregation program. In this congregational study, faith communities explore the variety of ways in which this issue has impacted the church and church members, what the Bible says about it, and we hear from members of Oasis congregations. After completing this program, a congregation can spend some time discerning whether or not they wish to adopt an “Affirmation of Welcome” thereby becoming an Oasis Congregation.

There are currently six Oasis congregations in the diocese:
Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust, St. Louis
Trinity, 600 N. Euclid, St. Louis
Transfiguration, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd., Lake St. Louis.
St. Mark’s, 4714 Clifton, St. Louis, MO 63109.
Advent, 9373 Garber, Crestwood, MO 63126.
Trinity, 124 N. Mulanix, Kirksville, MO 63501

There are also Oasis congregational ministries in the dioceses of Newark  www.theoasis.dioceseofnewark.org and New Jersey www.oasisnj.home.comcast.net and Michigan www.oasisministrymi.org.

For more information, e-mail info@theoasismissouri.org

 

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered Ministries

Affirmation of Welcome
We believe that all people are worthy of respect and honor, because all are created in the image of God, and all can respond to the love of God. In our baptismal vows we commit ourselves, with God’s help, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, respecting the
dignity of every human being, and striving for justice and peace among all people.

Yet we see that, in our churches and in society, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are not always counted among those for whom the Church seeks justice, or grants due respect, as loving and beloved members of the household of God. We recognize that fear of, and discrimination against, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people is part of an oppressive history within the Church and society, which distorts our relationship with God and with other people, and diminishes the humanity of us all.

Therefore, we feel compelled to make explicit our welcome of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people into the ministries and life of this congregation, incarnating the message, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You.” We encourage gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people to participate
in all aspects of the ministries of this church, by bearing witness to Christ, and fully participating in our life, worship and governance.

Where we see divisions, we will seek, with God’s help, to be a people of reconciliation, offering a love that casts out all fear. Where we see injustice and ignorance, we will offer our ministry of advocacy and education, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us all into truth.