Woman's Parole Condition Complicates Family Life, Lawyer Says 
Nicole Simone Can't Have Contact With Her Sister, Who Was Injured In A Fatal
Drunken-driving Crash Nicole Pleaded Guilty To In 1999.

Area High School Box  Scores

By LAUREN ROTH lroth@leader.net
 Monday, January 06, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE - A city minister working to bring a branch of the
gay-centered Metropolitan Community Church to the Wyoming Valley said the
group has found a temporary home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The first ``friendship meeting'' was held at First United Methodist Church
at 47 N. Franklin St. in December, said the Rev. David E. Hall of Spiritual
Outreach Ministries. It drew 62 people. The second meeting will be Thursday
from 7 to 9 p.m., and meetings will continue weekly, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Membership has grown to 116 from 70 in November, though only 35 people are
needed to found a local MCC, Hall said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We believe in the Christian faith that an encounter with God is very
transformative,'' said the Rev. Dr. Keith Benjamin of First United Methodist.
``This is a group that is going to bring people to that encounter. That's very
valuable,'' he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The church accommodates several Christian groups too small to have their
own space. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The group is starting to establish a community presence, Hall said. On
Thursday it will make dinner for the homeless men staying at the church with
VISION. ``We're going to be making chicken a la king, cake, biscuits, starting
at 1 to 2 in the afternoon to cook,'' Hall said. ``We have a few chefs in the
group.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hall is excited about the idea because it means giving back, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We want to do a lot of things downtown. Church is church. It's a
lifestyle. We want to help people who need it,'' Hall said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The first official MCC service is slated for spring, and Hall said he is
confident 200 people will attend. The California-based denomination has about
300 churches, including six around Pennsylvania, that offer an affirming
atmosphere for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, their friends
and families. The church offers a ``blended'' service based on Catholic,
Protestant and other traditions, and teaches the Trinity, the Bible and the
deity of Jesus Christ. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The weekly meetings will introduce members and acquaint them with the MCC,
which is sending pastors to speak to the group. This week's meeting will
feature the Rev. Karla Fleshman, who started an MCC church in Media last year.
MCC expects to appoint a pastor to the Wyoming Valley group before its first
service. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hall said word is getting out about the church, but he's not worried about
people who don't support its mission. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We're not going to be bothered with people saying anything negative,'' he
said. ``They're too busy to be helping people.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Lauren Roth, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gay-centered Church Coming To Wilkes-barre 
The Christian Group, Rooted In Traditional Catholic And Protestant Beliefs,
Will Hold Services At The First United Methodist Church.

Gay-centered Church Coming To Wilkes-barre The Christian Group, Rooted In Traditional Catholic And Protestant Beliefs, Will Hold Services At The First United Methodist Church.