Saturday, January 16, 1999
Circle of Love Around the Convention Center
Persons who can not be physically present in
California are invited to form an even wider circle by being in
prayer wherever they are during the time of this sacred event. Some
congregations may want to open their sanctuaries for corporate prayer
also. Read more details....
Oregon Solidarity Service
A service of prayer and support for Jeannie and Ellie will be held in Salem,
Oregon, at the same time as the service in Sacramento. Gerry Hill, pastor
at Monmouth's Christ's Church: Methodist and Presbyterian United; and Paul
LaRue, retired elder, with Charge Conference connection to Christ's Church;
are planning and leading the service, which will be held at the retirement
center where LaRue is a resident.
Clergy and laity from the area have been invited. Anyone wishing to attend
is asked to contact Paul LaRue by e-mail pvrvlaru@open.org not later than 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, or before.
The group will meet at 12:30 p.m. for a time of preparation, including
background of United Methodist legislation and subsequent actions on "Holy
Union" ceremonies for gay or lesbian couples.
At 1:00 they will move to a small chapel for a service of prayer and
affirmation. This will be during the time of the service in Sacramento --
and include some elements of the service they will be using.
Light refreshments and fellowship will follow.
Although we are focusing on inviting United Methodists, other people who
seek justice in ministry to all God's children are certainly invited. We
would like to know in advance how many plan to attend.
California-Pacific Solidarity Service
The California-Pacific Service of Solidarity, to which all clergy and laity in the Conference are invited, will begin at 12 noon and conclude with the ringing of the church carillon at 1:00 p.m., marking the hour when the Sacramento service begins. A prayer vigil will follow the ringing of the carillon. Clergy are invited to wear their stoles.
Hollywood UMC is located at 6817 Franklin Ave. For more information, contact Jeffrey Hammond by phone at 323-850-1034; e-mail him a jhammond@pacificnet.net.
From the California-Pacific Chapter, Methodist Federation for Social Action, January 1999 newletter
Web: http://www.MFSAcal-pac.net
Action Alert From UFMCC Ecumenical Officer/USA
...Actions across the country will be held to
coincide with the Sacramento service. These actions will witness to the
importance of ministries that celebrate the loving and committed
relationships of all people. This rite so familiar to MCC churches
around the world is in direct violation of United Methodist Church
polity. To uphold the couple, clergy and all present, we are asking
MCCer's to join in solidarity with our friends and partners in faith
around the country by surrounding all parties in prayer from noon to
1:00 PM and/or by ringing their church bells at 1:00PM in solidarity.
Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, UFMCC National Ecumenical Officer/USA.
http://www.ufmcc.com
Solidarity Service in Brooklyn
Kings Highway UMC in Brooklyn, NY will hold a service of solidarity with the Holy Union Service of Ellie Charleton and Jean Barnett at 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 16, 1999. The church is at 1387 East 37th Street, on the corner, of course, of Kings Highway. The phone (718) 338-6619/377-7130.
The # 2 or #5 IRT trains end at the "Junction" of FLATBUSH and Nostrand
Avenues. From there you can get a B41 bus south on Flatbush Ave., about 8
long blocks, to Kings Highway, where you walk three short blocks west on
Kings Highway to the church on the right.
Information for the Reverend Chick Straut, Sacramento Holy Union Service Officiant, in absentia
King's Highway UMC (http://www.gbgm-umc.org/kingshwyumc/ Coming Soon)
Service of Prayer in Michigan
A service of prayer, support and hope and will happen at The Wesley
Foundation (1400 South
Washington, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858) at 10:00 a.m. EST so as to coincide
with the Union Service in California. All will
be welcome.
Rev. Steven Michael Smith
The Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry
Web Page: http://come.to/wesley/
...a reconciling campus ministry serving the greater Central Michigan
University Community 1400 South Washington - Mount Pleasant, Michigan
48858
Prayer Vigil in Binghamton, NY
Centenary-Chenango Street United Methodist Church
in Binghamton, New York plans to hold a prayer
vigil on January 16 in support of the ceremony in Sacramento.
Gary Doupe, pastor
Centenary-Chenango Street United Methodist Church
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/BinghamtonNY/
Top
Hate Group Pickets
Westboro Baptist Church (Fred Phelps) has announced it will picket the Convention Center where the covenant service will be held.
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