UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 30, Page 4
May 2, 1996
Episcopal bishop's discussion on 'Homosexual Christians'

     The Right Rev. John Shelby Spong, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese
of Newark, N.J., will discuss "Homosexual Christians" from 7-9 p.m.,
Thursday, May 9, in the Lecture Theatre of the University Center.
     The free public talk is the last in the Lavender Scholar Lecture
Series.
     A scholar and author, Spong has written 14 books, including
Living in Sin? A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality, Born of a Woman, A
Bishop Rethinks the Birth of Jesus and Resurrection: Myth or Reality?
A Bishop's Search for the Origins of Christianity.
     Spong also has published more than 70 articles on a range of
topics, including "The Urban Church-Symbol and Reality,"
"Understanding the Gay Reality," "Worship and the Scientific
Revolution," "The Bible and Sexual Ethics" and "Bishop, Please Tell My
Congregation I Was Gay."
     He has appeared on numerous national television programs,
including Nightline, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The MacNeil Lehrer
Newshour, Firing Line, The CBS Morning Show, Larry King Live and The
Today Show.
     Spong received his master of divinity degree in 1955 from the
Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia.
     After serving as rector in parishes in North Carolina and
Virginia, he was consecrated bishop in 1976.
     In 1991, he was elected the Quatercentenary Scholar at Emmanuel
College of Cambridge University and in 1993 was a guest lecturer at
Oxford University. He holds honorary doctor of divinity degrees from
his seminary and from St. Paul's College.
     He has been a theological consultant to the Episcopal Radio and
Television Foundation, served a six-year term on the Executive
Council, the second highest governing body of the Episcopal Church,
and is a member of the House of Bishops' Theology Committee.
     For more information, call 831-8703.
                                                          -Beth Thomas