We would like to take this opportunity to tell you about a new organization forming to serve the Charlotte community - Charlotte Interfaith Connection. We are an ecumenical group of clergy and lay people who have come together to support, encourage, and advocate for the full inclusion of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and / or gender identity, into our richly diverse Charlotte community of faith. First, we wish to offer support to those faith communities who have openly chosen to welcome and affirm lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people (LGBT) and those who are questioning. Secondly, we wish to encourage and walk with those faith communities that are at the door of discernment on this issue. Lastly, our deepest prayer is to bridge the chasm between the LGBT community and our faith community; to heal the wounds through dialogue, education, and service. One of our first goals is to create a brochure to share with the Charlotte LGBT community listing those churches or faith communities that are intentionally open and affirming; communities where they would be welcomed to worship and serve without being asked to choose between their faith and their personhood. To obtain this information, we have recently done a mass mailing of the following brief questionnaire that we invite you to complete and return by mail to: Or copy and paste below and email to us If your faith community has yet to decide whether to become open and affirming of LGBT people, we have volunteers, both clergy and lay people, who have training and experience that can help you assess where your church or faith community is in this process of discernment. Thank you for your time and attention to this important ministry! United in Faith, The Board of Charlotte Interfaith Connection Thank you for your candor and caring enough to take these first steps with us!