Will you help bring truth in love to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, August 10-13, at its Churchwide Assembly? Soulforce will be in Indianapolis along with ELCA advocacy groups (NETWORK, WINGSPAN, Extraordinary Candidacy Program, Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries, and Lutherans Concerned in North America,) working in cooperation with them to bring justice to the ELCA. The ELCA is the fourth largest Protestant denomination in the United States. They have worked hard to be inclusive for membership in the church. All persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are welcomed as full members. We are grateful for this. There still exists, however, a ban on ordination for gays and lesbians who are in committed love relationships. Church regulations allow gay/lesbian clergy to serve in a parish only if they take a vow of celibacy. Gay/Lesbian clergy are being silenced, censored, and removed from their churches. Their suffering and the suffering of all GLBT people in the church who are affected by this injustice must end and the ban must be lifted.
When you join a Soulforce action, your spirit will be renewed, and you play a part in transforming society! Help Soulforce change the minds and hearts of Lutheran clergy and lay leaders – they, too, are victims. Join us as we bring truth in love to the ELCA.
JOIN US IN INDIANAPOLIS, AUGUST 10-13
Do justice with us at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly. A powerful aspect of all Soulforce actions has been the presence of people of all faiths standing in solidarity. No matter what your faith tradition or denomination, everyone who signs our Soulforce Pledge to Nonviolence is welcome and needed! Register online.
SCHEDULE IN INDIANAPOLIS
FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 10
SOULFORCE HANDS-ON TRAINING AT SOULFORCE CENTRAL** IN INDIANAPOLIS
Even if the only thing you do is attend this workshop, your life will be changed and you will be empowered to make a difference when you go back home. We will be trained in the principles of nonviolent resistance, see dramatic videos and presentations of "soul force" at work, sing the songs of freedom and learn and practice the problem-solving techniques of Gandhi and King. When you go home, you will be able to apply what you have learned in your town, your church or synagogue, and your life.
5 pm Registration Begins
6:30 – 10 pm Soulforce Training
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
VIGILS, TEACH-INS, MEDIA EVENTS OUTSIDE THE CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY
You will be given an opportunity to make a statement of love and join with those who cry against injustice in the ELCA. No one is ever asked to do anything that feels uncomfortable or inappropriate. Whatever you do (or don’t do), we guarantee that your life will be transformed just by being there.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
VIGILS IN THE MORNING AND TRAINING FOR POSSIBLE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN THE AFTERNOON
On this day of Christian Sabbath, we will have more opportunities to nonviolently state our love and concern for justice within the ELCA. Again, no one will be asked to do anything that feels uncomfortable or inappropriate. Whatever you do (or don’t do) we guarantee that your life will be transformed just by being there.
MONDAY, AUGUST 13
VIGILS IN THE MORNING AND POSSIBLE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN THE AFTERNOON DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF ELCA PLENARY SESSION
Don’t worry about being (or not being) arrested. At this time, we have NO civil disobedience planned, but if a nonviolent direct action is called for, you will be included in the planning and be free to join those being arrested (or those who stand in support). We are working with police and officials to be sure that everything we do will be done in order and with love and respect.
**SOULFORCE CENTRAL
Comfort Inn & Suites City Centre
530 South Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 48225
317-631-9000
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS
6/25/01 POSSIBLE AIR FARES THROUGH A GLBT FRIENDLY TRAVEL COMPANY
Round Trip Sample Prices TO Indianapolis (August 10-13) FROM:
Seattle: $381.50
Miami $292.50
Atlanta $285.50
Philadelphia $289.50
Los Angeles $315.00
The above fares represent the lowest published fares as of 6/25/01 Airport tax and fuel surcharges are additional and depend upon routing. Day of week and minimum restrictions may apply.
Email: robert@adventure-bound.com
Address: 937 E Broadway Rd, Suite 3
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: 480-968-7889
Fax: 480-968-8811
Toll Free: (800) 308-2345
If Robert is unavailable, Vicki, the retail office manager, should be available for assistance.
SHARING LIMITED HOTEL RESERVATIONS
It is important that you try and share rooms in Indianapolis because there is a room shortage for Friday night.
AUGUST 10
There are only 20 rooms available at the Comfort Inn for Friday night. All training will take place at the Comfort Inn. You may need to stay at the Crowne Plaza Union Station Hotel (approx. 3 blks from the Comfort Inn) Friday night and move to the Comfort Inn for Saturday and Sunday night. YOU COULD stay all 3 nights at the Crowne Plaza if you prefer.
AUGUST 11-12
40 rooms are available at the Comfort Inn for Saturday and Sunday night. THIS SHOULD BE plenty of space FOR US if people are willing to share rooms.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group Name: SOULFORCE
Cancellation: 72 hours prior to arrival
Comfort Inn & Suites City Centre – SOULFORCE CENTRAL
530 South Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 48225
For Reservations Call: 317-631-9000
Cut Off Date: July 30, 2001
Rate: $89 / $99 for suite
Note: There are a limited number of double bed rooms –
King size rooms have a sleep/sofa.
Crowne Plaza Union Station – (approx. 3 blks from SF Central)
123 W. Louisiana Street
Indianapolis, IN
For Reservations Call: 317-631-2221
Cut Off Date: July 10, 2001
Rate: $139 Executive Level (up to 4 persons)
HOW TO RESERVE A ROOM
Call either the Comfort Inn or Crowne Plaza and register under the group name SOULFORCE. Make note of the difference in rates of the two hotels as well as the cut off dates. The cut off date for the Comfort Inn is July 30. The cut off date for the Crowne Plaza is July 10.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
CONTRIBUTE TO SOULFORCE
These events cost Soulforce, Inc. tens of thousands of dollars (still cheaper than buying one full-page ad in a newspaper or magazine). Support us by making a donation with a check, money order, or credit card by mail or donate online. All donations are tax-deductible. Your financial support makes you a part of a spiritual movement that has an impact across this country!
SHARE AIR MILES FROM YOUR FREQUENT FLYER ACCOUNT
Free tickets make a huge difference to those who don’t have funds for transportation. Call us if you have air miles to share at 510-594-2401.
PENCIL IN THESE OTHER SOULFORCE DIRECT ACTION EVENTS AT LARGE CHURCH CONVENTIONS IN 2001
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
October 5-7, 2001, Salt Lake City, Utah - National Conference of Catholic Bishops
November 12-15, 2001, Washington, DC
Thanks for your friendship and faithful support.
WE ARE GRATEFUL.
MEL WHITE & GARY NIXON, CO-FOUNDERS, SOULFORCE, INC.
P.O. BOX 4467, LAGUNA BEACH, CA 92652
For information or to register on line: www.soulforce.org
For information or to register by phone:
Kara Speltz, Registrar: Phone: 510-594-2401
Laura Montgomery-Rutt, Media Contact: 717-951-7712
For email information: INFO@soulforce.org
For regular updates check the Soulforce web site.
PLEASE FORWARD AND/OR HARDCOPY THIS EMAIL, USE AS BULLETIN OR NEWSLETTER INSERT, DISTRIBUTE FREELY.
Leave a Reply