Two Denver area clergywomen honored for leadership against homophobia

Two leading Colorado clergywomen – Rev. Angie Kotzmoyer of the Applewood United Methodist Church, Golden, and Rev. Sharon Langfeldt of Christ Church, Denver – have been chosen to receive the 2020 Paul and Paula Murphy Human Sexuality Award by the Center for Health and Hope.

The honor will be presented at a virtual Zoom Gathering to HEAL breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 17, that will also feature three speakers from Kenya, who will be sharing how HIV and COVID-19 interact in Africa. HEAL is an acronym for “helping end AIDS in our lifetime.” Funds raised will benefit 361 AIDS orphans in Meru, Kenya. 

Kotzmoyer and Landfeldt were chosen because of their courageous leadership of the United Methodist Mountain Sky Queer Clergy Caucus and their forthright educational webinar presentations on LGBTQ+ weddings.  “Despite facing homophobic resistance in some of our churches,” says Rev. John Blinn, chair of the Center’s Murphy Committee, “they have demonstrated a prophetic and pastoral Christian commitment to human rights and inclusiveness that has enlightened us all.” 

The award is named after the late Rev. Dr. Paul Murphy, a United Methodist pastor and Denver district superintendent, and his late wife, Dr. Paula J. Murphy, a counseling psychologist.  Both were champions of expanding understanding about human sexuality and ensuring human rights for all people.

To register for the virtual breakfast, go to the website of the Center for Health and Hope at www.centerforhealthandhope.org. Cost is $20 per person. Persons will break bread together virtually as they enjoy speakers from Africa and music provided by two premier Denver soloists, Kelly Triplett and Chin Keong Tan.