A sure sign of spring is the Human Rights Campaign's "Clergy Call." The call is to the mobilization of what many identity as a "great cloud of witnesses" from throughout the nation to descend upon our nation's capital for two days of teaching, training and lobbying on behalf of equal justice for the LGBTQ community.
I am honored to have been invited to participate in this year's event scheduled for May 22-24 in Washington D.C. Fortunately, I am also a recipient of a special scholarship to cover my expenses.
The timing is amazing! The Midway Hills Christian Church Board recently ratified a "Perspective on Religious Intolerance" that addresses misuse of faith as a tool of judgment, division and hatred among God's people. As I meet with governmental leaders and our representatives next week, I will have the opportunity to hand to them our church's statement and a brief history of our congregation's involvement in social justice issues since our beginning.
I am proud to be pastor of a community that consistently steps out in faith in support of those who find themselves disenfranchised, voiceless and oppressed because they are somehow "different" from the majority. These efforts include, not just the LGBTQ community but also those who are discriminated against because of their religion, race, nationality, age, physical or mental ability or class. This is what it means to be truly "Open & Affirming."
I appreciate your prayer support as I make this journey.
Love,
Terry
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