Hello there -- Theo, CR's administrative assistant, here! Soulforce is a significant "force" to reckon with as the people in this organization pursue an aggressive strategy for 2004. This outfit has been planning for quite some time as to what they will do at the United Methodist Church General Conference in Pittsburgh which begins on April 27th. Read the "invitation" to join with them in the great "confrontation" which will take place at GC 2004 -- side note to Pittsburgh police -- get your paddy wagons ready!

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Soulforce Update: April 7, 2004

Peace, Shalom, Blessed Be.

April is an exciting and motivating month for us, and we hope it is for you too!

Right on the heels of the incredible jury decision that acquitted Rev. Karen Dammann last month, comes the United Methodist General Conference, and we are making preparations for our presence there.

We need you to be there with us!

Our direct action at the Dammann Trial was significant and empowering. Our presence and action at the United Methodist General Conference (UMCGC) in May will be just as significant!

Additionally, the not guilty verdict at the Rev. Karen Dammann last month has fired up the religious conservatives in the church and we need to be ready for the backlash.

Please come to Pittsburgh, stand with us, and face our oppressors in the United Methodist Church. The actions of the UMCGC have consequences that go beyond the doors of the church.

We need you to be there with us as we seek to hold the delegates, the bishops, and the United Methodist Church accountable for the spiritual violence perpetuated against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and even their allies. If the UMCGC does nothing to stem the tide of spiritual violence, we will have no choice but to conduct an act of nonviolent civil disobedience.

Register today at www.soulforce.org/denomination/umc/gcinvite.shtml

If you just can’t join us in person, we hope that you will consider joining us in spirit and in truth.

First, we ask for you to pray, send light, and think positive thoughts (or whatever your method is of connecting with the Divine) as we journey to Pittsburgh for the final part of a 2 week conference, May 5-9, 2004. Several Soulforce volunteers will be arriving throughout the first week as well.

Second, whether or not you can be with us, we are asking you to join us in an act of giving to the homeless and hungry community of Pittsburgh.

We have selected a GLBT-friendly United Methodist Church with a fabulous outreach program to be the recipient of our gifts. The First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh has a ministry called "First Food and Friends" that serves people every week who are homeless and hungry. We are asking you, if you are able, to put together a "toiletries kit" for this ministry. The items can be put into a zip-lock bag and include the following: washcloth, towel, soap, toothbrush and paste, shampoo, hand cream, mouthwash, baby powder, and nail file.

People can also give non-perishable food items or monetary gifts if they wish. We will collect as many of these items as possible and present them to the organization at some point during our action. This is also an opportunity to collect gifts from your friends and family who will not be able to join us in Pittsburgh but would like to do something to help.

You can find out more about this ministry by visiting http://gbgmchurches.gbgm-umc.org/fumcpittsburgh/outreach.htm

Send gifts to:

Soulforce Pittsburgh
P.O Box 100013
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

If you prefer to give a gift directly to Soulforce, Inc. to help cover our expenses for Pittsburgh, you may do so online at www.soulforce.org/main/join.shtml

Whatever you decide to do, please know that your gifts of time, money and/or talent are always most appreciated.

Remember, you are standing up to the oppression of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people all over the world, and as it empowers you, it will empower others to do the same.

Peace, Shalom, Blessed Be.

Soulforce, Inc.
www.soulforce.org