 | SFU Home Karen Weldin, SFU Co-Chair Greg Marlan, SFU Co-Chair |
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A Soulforce News Release – Updated April 11, 2000
Join Us in Cleveland for a 24-hour Soulforce Direct Action for Justice
May 9-10, 2000
Those of you who cannot attend the full week of Soulforce University (see below) should consider joining us in Cleveland as an Associate Scholar for a special training in nonviolent resistance (Tuesday, May 9, 7:30PM) and a direct action at the United Methodist General Conference (Wednesday, May 10, 7:00AM). You may register on line even if you aren’t certain you will join us. By registering, you will receive email updates to keep you informed about every detail. Our direct action may involve civil disobedience and arrest, but you don’t have to volunteer for arrest to be a part of this important event.
SOULFORCE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED
ORGANIZING AND TRAINING PEOPLE OF FAITH
TO SEEK JUSTICE FOR GOD’S GLBT CHILDREN
AT HISTORIC UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE
Events Planned for Cleveland, Ohio, May 6-12, 2000
A unique experiment in nonviolence training and direct action will be held May 6-12, 2000 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sponsored by Soulforce, Inc., the event will take place simultaneously with the General Conference of the United Methodist Church at the Cleveland Convention Center. People of faith from any faith tradition are invited to participate in all or part of the seven day event.
"Sometime during that historic week," explains Mel White, a co-founder of Soulforce, Inc., "one thousand clergy and lay delegates representing more than eight million United Methodists will make the most important decision they have made since slavery. They will decide to open their arms to God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered children or they will vote to turn us away. That decision will have serious consequences not just for the Methodists but for millions of our sisters and brothers in North America and around the world. Soulforce will be there in the spirit of love and reconciliation to help our United Methodist friends see the truth and act upon it or to confront and condemn their untruth if they do not."
Soulforce is an interfaith, ecumenical network of people of faith committed to teach and apply the nonviolence principles of Gandhi and King on behalf of justice for all God’s children. The Soulforce University in Cleveland is open to anyone interested in seeking justice for sexual minorities. Delegates will participate in worship, study, negotiation and direct action under the leadership of teachers and activists seasoned in the ways of nonviolence and spiritual renewal.
The seven-day schedule will include experiences with group worship, individual meditation, and other time-honored techniques in the care and keeping of our souls from many faith traditions. Beginning and advanced training in the "soul force" principles of nonviolence [including advanced training in negotiation, direct action and civil disobedience] will prepare delegates to apply them in Cleveland and beyond.
There will also be skill sessions on working with the media, networking with other justice and peace organizations, teaching the principles locally, and applying the principles in our homes and churches. Attendees who desire can be certified as Soulforce teachers and organizers. Clergy may use the experience for continuing education credits. No enrollment or tuition fees will be charged. However, delegates must sign a pledge to nonviolence before participating in any direct action. Housing will be made available for those who request it on a first-come, first-served basis.
Evening sessions will include a Soulforce Film Festival, informal meetings with living heroes and sheroes of nonviolence, times for learning music of the liberation movement, walking the Labyrinth, a jazz concert, poetry readings, spirit-drama, drumming, and dance. Each evening will end with vespers.
During the week, some Soulforce delegates will fast, hold vigil, and keep the flame of truth burning at the convention center; while others will help the coalition of pro-GLBT organizations within United Methodism as they work to bring truth to delegates and alternates from around the world. Attendees are also invited to prepare for a major nonviolent direct action towards the end of the week if the United Methodists continue to make outcasts of God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered children.
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| Karen Weldin SFU Co-Chair |
"After leaving a main stream denomination because of fear of rejection and walking into a United Methodist Church fifteen years later to be rejected once again was a precipitating point for my original journey into Soulforce," says Karen Weldin, a co-chair of S.F.U. and current MCC member. "Going to Cleveland is a continuation of my own healing and an opportunity to continue answering God’s call to work for justice. I encourage all persons of faith who have experienced the suffering, or understand this suffering, to join us in Cleveland to continue the renewal of our spirits and healing of our souls. We are all called to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. See you in Cleveland."
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| Greg Marlan SFU Co-Chair |
"We are going to Cleveland to witness the power of love in action in our lives and in the lives of my Methodist sisters and brothers," explains Greg Marlan, a co-chair of S.F.U. and a lifelong Methodist. "Whether you join us for a day or for the entire week we who have been on other Soulforce Direct Actions guarantee that your spirit will be renewed and your life changed forever."
Registration to be a scholar at SFU for the entire week of May 6-12 has ended. You may register up to the last minute to be an Associate for the May 9-10 event. However, if you would like to make a personal appeal to be included as a Scholar for May 6-12, send your request directly to: GMarlan@aol.com.
For further information contact: sfu@soulforce.org
For media information and a press kit contact: media@soulforce.org
To Contact Co-Directors of the Soulforce Actions at GC2000
Karen Weldin Karen@cwis.net
or Greg Marlan GMarlan@aol.com
To Contact Mel White or Gary Nixon, Partners in Soulforce:
melwhite@soulforce.org
Check this page for further updates on Soulforce University.