I wondered how many of these clergy had actually listened to and acknowledged the lives of homosexual people, knew the statistics of gays who had suicided through community and family rejection, or grappled with the social justice arguments in support of marriage equality. 

I pondered whether these clergy know the pain of LGBT members of their own congregation who have suffered through unwillingness to have their sexual orientation acknowledged. 

Do the clergy really believe that members of their congregation, who have struggled under the weight of self-condemnation as a result of a selective interpretation of scripture, really feel welcome?

There is a glorious hymn where Christians sing, “The Lord has yet more light and truth to break forth from His word”.

May our local clergy be open to that truth?

Graham Jensen

Kalaru

As the minister of Bega Presbyterian Church, I wish to correct a misquoted statement included in the paper regarding same-sex marriage. 

The quote, “he said an idea currently being thrown around Presbyterian Church circles is that same-sex couples could formalise their marriage elsewhere then have a ceremony in a church,” is incorrect.

The Presbyterian Church's official stance is the biblical stance of marriage between one man and one woman, for life. 

That being so, we will not marry same-sex couples should it be legalised.

Jim Mobbs

Tura Beach

As new residents to the Bermagui area we are delighted to have a supermarket of the quality of the local Woolworths. 

The building is light and bright. 

There is plenty of accessible parking. 

The range of produce and other goods is more than adequate for our needs. 

The staff are friendly and helpful. 

And the prices are comparable to Bega and Narooma without the expense of travelling to these centres.

Well done, Woolies Bermagui.

You have our support.

Chris Dwyer

Bermagui

Open letter to Michael Britten, Bega Valley Shire Mayor.

I wish to express to you my concern about the proposed move of the Merimbula branch of the Bega Valley Library to Tura Beach.

There is a greater proportion of people in Merimbula who are not able to drive that use the current library. 

They are generally more in need of the facilities that the library offers. 

The only way for them to reach Tura Beach is by a costly and infrequent bus service.

Then there are the residents of the aged care facilities. 

In Albert Moore Gardens (Bimbimbie Hostel) there is a library, but it has limited space so residents need access to the public library as well. 

This has been possible by means of the village bus that runs into Merimbula three times a week.

The library also serves as a community centre with activities, photocopying, computer and internet facilities at affordable prices.

I understand that one of the reasons for the move is the high cost of the building’s rental. 

Is it not possible to house the library in a less grandiose place?

What is the future for the Auswide building that has been standing vacant?

For the above reasons, I believe that a nucleus of the library should be retained in Merimbula.

John Farquharson

Merimbula