3/27/01

Great Lakes Council (MN) Agreed to Allow the Pilgrim Congregational Church to Adopt an Anti-discrimination Policy with Its 90 year old troop 98: The BSA National Denied the Church Sponsorship after 90 Years of Sponsoring Troop 98

Throughout the fall months Pilgrim Congregational Church worked with its historic scout Troop 98 (chartered by this church for over 90 years) to address the concerns of the congregation about the discriminatory policies of the national BSA. The
result of these talks was an agreement that the scout troop 98 (and all of our building users) would sign a non-discrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation. The scout troop was willing and desirous of working with the congregation on developing healthy understandings of sexual orientation and was open the possibility of a gay man in leadership.

These discussions took place with a rep from the Great Lakes Council, who at the final meeting agreed that as long as all building users signed such a policy he would have no problem with it either. The congregation proceeded with the understanding that the troop would remain and work with leaders from the congregation.

Last night at a meeting of the Church Council (governing body) the pastor was called out to meet with the troop leadership. The pastor, Rev. Laurie Hafner, was informed that the due to Pilgrim Church's openness to gay men in the full life and ministry of
the church the troop had to leave Pilgrim's facilities immediately. The rep from the Great Lakes Council apparently informed the national BSA of Pilgrim's espousal of rights for all.

The church is deeply saddened and angry over the betrayal we experienced at the hands of the BSA, and the troop leadership feel the same sense of betrayal.

The troop, last night, moved their materials to a nearby Catholic Church, thus ending 90 years of relationship between Pilgrim Church and the Boy Scouts of America.

Mark Suriano