CALLED OUT

From Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns

Holiday Inn Express: Our primary housing location in Pittsburgh at GC 2004 is Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh South Side -

Toll-Free: 1-800-HOLIDAY - http://www.ichotelsgroup.com - 20 S 10th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203. However, we understand there are no longer any 10-day reservations available although they are still taking shorter stay reservations.

To make a reservation at the negotiated rate: Call the Holiday Inn Express at 1-412-488-1130 and mention the group name "MFSA." Affirmation, RMN and MFSA worked together to set up this housing arrangement.

There may still be people who have reservations looking for roommates so contact our matchmaker. To get a roommate(s) to share expenses, email your information to HousingGC04@aol.com.

We have a special negotiated rate of $94 plus tax per night, regardless of the number of occupants in the room. We can have up to five people in each room. Each room has a hide away couch/bed and either a king or two queen size beds. A deposit of one night‚s stay is required at the time the reservation is placed.

We have a limited number of rooms at the negotiated rate. Book early! We understand that you can get your deposit back if you end up not being able to go to GC. Confirm that when you make your reservation. Book soon so you will be staying with us and not struggling to find a place to stay at any cost or missing GC entirely. Hotel space is at a premium in Pittsburgh.

St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center: Additional housing for Affirmation, MFSA and RMN Volunteers is available at:

St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center 148 Monastery Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Website: http://trfn.clpgh.org/stpaulrc

Details: The Retreat Center has 120 rooms, the majority of which will be available on weekdays during General Conference and 60 of which will be available over the weekend. The rooms cost $20 a night per person. Most rooms are singles. Linens are included in the cost.

A couple of the rooms are handicap accessible and have a private bath, but most have common bathroom/showers on the hallway. There are also lounges at various points in the building. Phil Wilson, our local contact, tells us the building is very pleasant and comfortable.

LOCATION: The retreat center is just under a mile from the Holiday Inn Express where the majority of other volunteers will be staying and just under 3 miles from the Convention Center downtown. The center is on a bus line that goes directly downtown. We may also be able to include those staying at the monastery in the van transportation from the Holiday Inn Express (still being arranged).

RESERVATIONS: To reserve a room at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, contact Sr. Barbara Finch at 412-716-9750 and indicate that you are with MFSA or the "Methodists." The Retreat Center is not set up to handle credit cards so you will need to pay for your room by check.

MEALS: Sr. Barbara indicated that meals could be made available for volunteers staying at the retreat center. Chances are good, however, that volunteers will spend the majority of their time downtown at either the Convention Center or the Hospitality Space at Smithfield Church (where breakfast and lunch will be served). Stay tuned for more information on this.

Questions: contact either Sr. Barbara at the retreat center (412-716- 9750) or the MFSA office (202-546-8806).

See you in Pittsburgh!

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Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns is an independent voice of LGBT people and their allies who affirm full participation of all persons in the church and society and who relentlessly pursue policies and processes to that end. Together we proclaim a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.

How to Contact Us:
Affirmation email: umaffirmation@yahoo.com
Affirmation web: http://www.umaffirm.org
Snail-Mail: Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021, Evanston, IL 60204.