The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
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We promote a theology of radical inclusivity to create a safe space where all can develop personal authenticity and networks of collaborative support.
The Purpose of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries is a multi-denominational group of primarily African American Christian leaders and laity representing churches and faith-based organizations from the USA, Africa, and Mexico. These churches range from ultra-conservative backgrounds to more liberal, independent churches; from startup, developing to very large, established churches and from churches that are economically challenged to the very affluent. The overriding purpose of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries is to support religious leaders and laity in moving toward a theology of radical inclusivity which, by its very nature, requires an equally radical social ministry reaching to the furthest margins of society to serve all in need without prejudice or discrimination. The more specific goals of the Fellowship are to create a safe environment where all can assemble in order to 1) develop a safe space for personal authenticity and open honest exchange; 2) adopt a more inclusive theology; and 3) create a network of collaborative support and practical guidance to prevent isolation and loss, both financially and socially which typically haunt leaders and their churches as they become more radically inclusive.
Historically, faith leaders have been a very strong voice for justice and compassion in the political and social life of African Americans and other minority communities. Faith leaders, time and again, have taken the lead and have been a voice of conscience on issues ranging from poverty and homelessness to peace and civil rights. However, a significant number of African American churches remain judgmental in their theology and conservative in their politics towards some people who traditionally have lived at the margins of society, such as people suffering substance abuse; people living with HIV/AIDS; same gender loving people; the recently incarcerated; and sex industry workers.
Many in the African American church and their leaders suffer from oppression sickness: while aware of the legacy of cultural oppression suffered by African Americans, some religious authorities continue this form of oppression by excluding and condemning those who they disapprove of and do not understand. The doctrines and tenets of Christianity presently practiced by African Americans in this country were learned in the context of chattel slavery where classism, racism and sexism were the rule. Over time, institutions in the African American Church itself mimic the oppressor by exercising oppressive exclusion. Many African American churches have achieved substantial power and influence within their respective communities by virtue of marginalizing certain segments of society. Furthermore, this external marginalization often is mirrored within the very structure of authority of churches, which typically are patriarchal and rigidly hierarchical.
Recently, however, there has been a growing movement to challenge theologies, which promotes exclusion and calls on churches to become more involved in the life of the community. This enables the celebration of diversity and inclusion of all peoples, especially those who have traditionally been marginalized by Church. Yet there is often a heavy price to pay for individual pastors and their congregations for making this courageous change: congregations become bitterly divided, memberships decrease, financial stability is lost, leaders are removed from their positions of authority, and social ostracism is unleashed on the pastors and their congregations alike.
The overarching goal is to creating, sustaining and celebrating community on the margin. At its simplest level, the Fellowship offers a place of Hospitality: Marginalized people experience hospitality where they have neither to defend nor to deny their place or their humanness. Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. The intention of hospitality is not to force people to change, but to offer them space where change can take place; It is not meant to convert men and women over to any one “side,” but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines and to engage in heartfelt, meaningful dialogue.
The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries welcomes all persons to join us on this journey. We don’t purport to have all of the answers, but we endeavor to create an environment here we can search together in full assurance of faith in a God Who’s love is great enough to hold us all.
Rev Dr. Yvette Flunder
Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
Affiliate Churches for TFAM
• Not all churches have a Transsaints group, but all of these churches are SAFE spaces to worship.
Abundant Peace Church
3930 Cambridge Street
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 258-6577
http://www.abundantpeacechurch.org
Senior Pastor: Rev. Wilfred Moore
All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church
3100 Park Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 824-2673
http://www.agcmcc.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. DeWayne Davis
Ark of Refuge
Tabernacle of Philadelphia
6439 Lansdowne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151
(215) 833-0553
Pastor Pamela Williams
Bethel Christian Church DC
2217 Minnesota Ave SE
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 248-1895
http://www.betheldc.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Darren Phelps
Christ's Community Church
103 Springfield Street
Chicopee, MA 01013
(413) 331-5128
http://christscommunitychurch-ucc.org/
Senior Pastor: Bishop James. L. Mills
City of Refuge UCC
8400 Enterprise Way
Oakland, CA 94621
(415) 861-6130
www.cityofrefugeucc.org
Senior Pastor: Bishop Yvette A. Flunder
info@cityofrefugeucc.org
City Of Refuge UCC Tijuana
5269 Lenox Drive
Memorias La Morita, Tijuana Mx.
San Diego CA 92114
(619) 365-4766
www.cortijuana.org
Senior Pastor: Rev. Antonio Granillo
CORE Fellowship
City of Refuge East Fellowship
555 W. James St.
Lancaster, PA 17603
(on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary in Mayer Commons.)
Mailing address:
2033 William Penn Way
Lancaster, PA 17601
COREFellowshipministries@gmail.com
Pastor: Rev. Dominique Denman
Community United Church of Christ
1145 Summit Avenue
St. Paul Park, MN 55071
(651) 459-2543
http://www.stpaulparkucc.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Janice Steele
office@stpaulparkucc.org
Congregational Church of Needham (UCC)
1154 Great Plain Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 444-2510
http://needhamucc.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Emmaus Ministries, Inc.
(502) 771-0884
https://m.facebook.com/emmausministriesinc/
Rev. Kelsey Hamilton-Layer
Everett UCC
2624 Rockefeller
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 252-7224
http://www.everettucc.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Darrell Goodwin-Moultry
Fountain of Love
5481 N State Road 7
Tamarac, FL 33319
(954) 486-5959
http://www.fountainofloveonline.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Fountainofloveministries/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Dallas Walker-Greene
Fresh Water Ministry
PO Box 2544
San Marcos, TX 78667
https://www.freshwaterministry.com/
Co-Pastors: Rev. Sherri Benn and Rev. Rachael Weldon-Caron
Glory to Glory Christian Church (UCC)
P.O. Box 771187
St. Louis, NO 63117
(314) 932-2259
https://www.glorytogloryucc.org/
Senior Pastor: Bishop Wyatt I. Greenlee, Jr.
God Can Ministries
1100 Greenwood Ave.
Ford Heights, IL 60411
(708) 757-5550 OR
500 N Michigan Ave, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60611
(312)546-3045
https://www.facebook.com/godcanministriesucc/bishoppearson.com
Rev. Anthony Sullivan
Bishop Carlton Pearson
Indigo Valley Church
2685 South Rainbow Boulevard, Suite 108 Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 803-2550
http://www.indigovalley.org/
Pastor Charlotte Morgan
Integrated Praise Spiritual Center
4343 Marconi Ave. Suite 7
Sacramento, CA 95821
http://www.integratedpraise.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Amundayo De Edwards
Judah Fellowship
1000 Bryn Mawr Road
McKees Rocks, PA 15219
(412) 512-2171
https://judahfellowship.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Shanea D. Leonard
Living Faith Covenant Church
3403 Shelley Blvd
Dallas, TX 75211
(972) 546-0546
http://www.livingfaithdfw.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Marvin T. Roberts
Metropolitan Community
Church of Baltimore
401 West Monument St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 669-6222
http://www.mccbaltimore.org/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Victoria L. Burson
New Dimensions/ Expanding Consciousness Network
500 North Michigan Ave., Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 546-3045
Senior Pastor: Bishop Carlton Pearson
New Generational Gathering
4066 W. 141st Street
Savage, MN 55378
Senior Pastor: Rev. Corii G. Varner
Oasis Fellowship Ministries
3404 N. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 461-8685
http://www.oasisfellowshipministries.org/
Senior Pastor & Founder: Rev. Debreita Taylor
Pillar of Love Fellowship UCC
7438 West 62nd Place
Summit, IL 60501
(708) 458-9380
http://www.pillaroflove.org/
Senior Pastor: Bishop. Phyllis Pennese
Progressive Open Door Christian Center/Agape for All Ministries
P.O. BOX 14758
Houston, TX 77221-4758
(713) 481-6700
http://www.podcc.org/
Pastor: Rev. Marvetta Mshindi Walker
Real Inspiration Ministries
659 Larkin St SW,
Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 284-3113
https://rimatlanta.org
Pastor Sonya E. Williams
Refiner's Fire Fellowship UCC
5808 Tilbury St.
Lakewood, CA 90713
(877) 386-3806
http://refinersfirefellowship.org/
Senior Pastor: Bishop Bonnie Radden
Rehoboth Fellowship Atlanta
1041 Moreland Dr. SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 621-6814
http://www.makeroom4me.com/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Troy Sanders
ReNewal Fellowship UCC
1350 Jonestown Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
https://www.facebook.com/RNFNC/
Senior Pastor: Rev. Roger E. Billingsley-Hayes
Rivers of Living Water NJ
393 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 253-2951
https://www.riversoflivingwaternj.org
Rivers of Living Water NY
263 West 86th Street (btwn Broadway & West End Avenues)
New York, NY 10024
(347) 765-1630
https://www.riversoflivingwater.orghttps://www.rolwny.org
Senior Pastor: Rev. Vanessa Brown
Space for Grace Fellowship (UCC)
c/o 2415 N Aurelius Road - Unit 8
(517) 488-8081
https://www.spaceforgrace.org/
Pastor PJ Anderson
The Empowering Word Ministries
4958 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 878-7000
https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweringWord/
Senior Pastor: Rev. John F. Clayton, Jr.
Truth & Destiny Covenant Church
2645 W. North Bend Rd,
Cincinnati, OH 45239
513-429-5085
Pastor: Rev. Lesley E. Jones
Pastor: Rev. Noni Gordon
United Christian Church of Austin
3500 W. Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78757
http://www.UCCAustin.org
Senior Pastor: Rev. John MacIver Gage