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Evergreen Fireside to Educate Local Members, Leaders
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND — In conjunction with the
Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists
(AMCAP) meeting in Silver Spring, a fireside has been set for October 16 that will address
a topic that affects all wards and branches.
David
Pruden, the international executive director of Evergreen,
will focus on the situation regarding the approximately
three percent of Church members (the same as in
the general population) who deal with same-sex attraction.
Pruden, a former bishop and
a counselor who specializes in this issue, works
with LDS General Authorities regarding same-sex
attraction. He says that members of our congregations
are suffering — usually in silence. Many leave
the Church because they feel they cannot live up
to Gospel standards.
In
addition to Pruden’s remarks,
the fireside will feature comments from parents
of children with same-gender attraction. They will
tell how they coped with the knowledge of their
children’s situation and learned to lovingly help
their children.
Also,
there will be comments from faithful Church members
who deal with this issue.
The
fireside is open to all Church members, particularly
church leaders, parents, and individuals who suffer
from same-sex attraction. It will be held Sunday,
Oct. 16, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at the
Suitland Maryland Stake Center
(5300 Auth Road).
If
you are not familiar with Evergreen, you can get information and
read their mission statement at www.evergreeninternational.org.
The article “Advice to Church Leaders” by Jason Parks, in the family
and church leaders section is especially good.
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