Soulforce News Alert
June 5, 2000
There are rumors circulating about our Soulforce presence in Long Beach. We promise you this: We will not disrupt, anger, or embarrass the GA or the PCUSA in any way. Whatever you have heard, we will not block, impede or attempt to enter. We are committed to the principles of nonviolence (in thought, word, and deed) as taught by Jesus, Gandhi and King. A large percentage of our delegation is made up of Presbyterians or former-Presbyterians with long and loving ties to the PCUSA. We are all people of faith coming to Long Beach in search of reconciliation, not conflict.
Read the full details of our GA visit.
On Sunday morning, June 25, from 8:30 a.m., we’ll be standing in prayerful vigil at the Convention Center. Stop and get acquainted on your way into the "Opening Communion Service," or consider joining us outside the Center at our own 9:30 a.m. service of worship and renewal "Where all God’s children are welcome."
At 11:00 a.m. while you are inside worshipping, we will be outside facing arrest, fines, possible jail time and a police record. We understand how important community worship is to all Presbyterians. We choose your communion service to make our protest outside precisely because it’s at Christ’s table where GLBT Presbyterians called to full participation and ordained service in the Church are denied. Our arrests outside will not disturb your service inside in any way.
We must take this stand. Your current official policy of exclusion has the effect of condemning all sexual minorities as unloved by God and unwelcome in the Presbyterian Church. It leads to discrimination, suffering, and even death for Presbyterians and non-Presbyterians alike. We are being arrested to demonstrate how determined we are to see the PCUSA open its doors (and its positions of leadership) to all God’s children once again.
Soulforce, P.O. Box 4467, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 (949) 455-0999