No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice

CALL TO ACTION

26 July 2011

 

THE PRESENT SITUATION

The Executive Council met throughout June and July to explore the issues facing NLS:CFJ and to lay out a path forward. We acknowledge that there is a sense of malaise re: the issues facing the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender communities. This was demonstrated most recently in our attendance at the demonstration against the Exodus International Conference, and at the recent Southern Baptist Convention demonstration. There were just three clergy at each of these.

Even though NLS:CFJ seems very thin, we also acknowledge that there is still a need for the voice of the supportive religious community around issues facing the LGBT community. Other community organizations continue to seek after our voices in the struggle for full equality.

Having assessed all of this we have come to this conclusion: It is simply not acceptable for our voice, and the voice of the supportive faith community, to go silent at this time in history. There is far too much left to be accomplished for No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice to simply fade away. The opening words of our mission statement still resound with truth:

We are Christian Clergy:
·  grounded in the witness of the Bible
·  convinced of God's unconditional love for all people
·  raising a voice against Christian intolerance that promotes condemnation, discrimination, and hatred.
·  advocating justice for all, especially Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender persons.

A PATH FORWARD

We believe that if each of you resolve to make the voice of true Christianity, that of justice and equity for all God's children, continue to resound for the LGBT community - we can answer the call of the Gospel as NLS:CFJ. To do that means you will commit yourself, your energies, time and monies, to making that happen.

We know you are busy. We honor and respect that. But we also know that your parish extends beyond the congregation you serve. It also includes the community you serve in. And that community needs you!

So, we're organizing for the future and we need your participation to be successful in fulfilling our mission and answer our shared call. The following are timely, important events that can help reestablish the role of NLS:CFJ in our commitment to serve the LGBT and larger community.

What follows is detailed information about the plan. Even if you don't have time to read through all of this right now, mark these dates in your calendar and then reply via email to RSVP@nolongersilent.org to let us know you're voice will be part of NLS:CFJ. You can also rsvp to the Facebook page event once it's created. Save the dates: 15-17 September 2011; 4-6 November 2011!

#1       NLS:CFJ to co-host a Faith & Fairness Town Hall with HRC.

On 15 September 2011 GOD, GAYS & GOVERNMENT will take place at Phoenix College. NLS:CFJ members have been working with the HRC Diversity Committee to plan and host this conference. It will feature voices from both sides of the issues to have a conversation, moderated by E.J. Montini, about the proper role of religion in government and society, with a specific focus of the LGBT community. A detailed info sheet will follow this email.

Your role: disseminate the information about this Town Hall and recruit your folks to take part in the conversation. This will serve as an introduction to the NLS:CFJ Conference on Equipping Churches to Advocate for LGBT People and Families.

#2       NLS:CFJ hosted (with other co-hosts)
           EQUIPPING COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF FAITH TO ADVOCATE FOR LGBT PEOPLE AND FAMILIES

On Friday, 16 September 2011, the clergy will gather with Rev. Dr. Miquel De La Torre, the Professor of Social Ethics at Iliff School of Theology (see http://www.drmigueldelatorre.com/ ) for an evening exploring the issues facing our complex society and how we as clergy can address them.

Some of these issues will be fleshed out in Saturday workshops. Important in this conversation is issues around LGBT equality, health and wellbeing. Just as we have had a lull in conversation in general, there areas where failing to have the conversation is costing lives: Suicide; Alarming rise in HIV infections; and, Hate Crimes are some of these issues.

On Saturday, 17 September 2011, we continue with the conference expanding to include members of our congregations and of all congregations with a Plenary session led by Dr. De La Torre and with workshops that help to equip people of faith to engage their faith tradition and community to help move the church along on inclusion and equality for LGBT people and families. These include: The Bible and Homosexuality; Homosexuality Amid Minority Communities; A Break Out Session within the various traditions to explore how the conversation can occur within them; and many others. We'll conclude the day with a worship celebration and a group picture for "It Gets Better."

Your Role: disseminate information, help with the workshops, participate in the conversations, and use your voice as you are prophetically called to do.

#3       IT GETS BETTER

The Phoenix Men's Chorale has requested our participation in a Trevor Project effort. The Trevor Project's Mission: "The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nation-wide, 24/7, crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone." The Vision: "A future where the possibilities, opportunities and dreams are the same for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."

Our Part: Join in a mass group filming of the Clergy of NLS:CFJ telling the truth that IT GETS BETTER. A Lay-led version of this will also be filmed. Later in the year, both the clergy and lay folks will join with other local organizations to film a video that will include the songs "True Colors" and "It Gets Better".

Congregations can also participate individually. Details on how to do that will follow later.

In summary: Show up, Speak up, and Bring folks with you.

#4       A RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLE OF NARTH

4-6 November 2011, The National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality will hold their National Conference at the Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel. The NLS:CFJ is meeting with the management of the hotel later this week to express our sentiment about the inappropriate nature of this conference. But that is not where we end.

The weekend of this conference we will gather for a worship service affirming the dignity and wholeness of all God's children. Then, throughout the conference, we will staff a meeting room in the hotel with clergy and psychological professionals, available to listen to, talk with, even pray with conference participants looking for a way out of this nightmare solution to their sexuality or gender identity. We will also host a hospitality suite to simply provide information in a casual setting as well.

More details will follow as they are worked out.

YOUR ROLE: Volunteer to help during the response to the conference, encourage your people to help out. Simply put, live up to your high calling in Christ!

This seems like a lot of information and activity. It is! But there is so much that remains to be done. Your voice is still needed. Your time will make a difference in others lives.

We thank you in advance for your dedication and renewed commitment to be NO LONGER SILENT: CLERGY FOR JUSTICE.

Peace,