Celebrations, Community and a Call for Justice & Equality in Washington DC, Apr 15 - 17

You are not alone. Many persons and congregations in our presbytery are absolutely committed to our Church and world embracing all persons as part of God's creation and realm. We are working together for understanding, acceptance and the end of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families.

As your local Open Doors MLP Chapter, we are delighted to invite you and your congregation to any and all of the following opportunities for celebration, inspiration and community with our special guest and friend Michael Adee, National Field Organizer, More Light Presbyterians, Santa Fe, NM.

Michael J. Adee at Mount Kilimanjaro's Summit (1/07)

A. Sunday, April 15, 11:00 AM, Bethesda. Michael is the guest preacher at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda with a coffee fellowship to follow the service. Dan Christian and the Open & Affirming task force at BPC are hosts for this special day at their church. For directions call (301) 986-1137.

B. Sunday, April 15, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM, Takoma Park. Our Chapter and Takoma Park Presbyterian Church host "A Moveable Feast" that includes a pot-luck fellowship meal, an affirming worship celebration, a roundtable conversation focusing on "Working for Justice for General Assembly 2008," and Michael sharing "Lessons from Kilimanjaro" from his recent Benefit Climb and expedition in Tanzania complete with DVD photos. Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, 310 Tulip Avenue, Takoma Park. Handicapped accessible space & childcare available. For directions call (301) 270-5550.

C. Clergy Call for Justice & Equality, April 16 - 17, Washington, DC. More Light Presbyterians is participating in the historic rally bringing in clergy & faith voices from all 50 states to lobby Congress to support LGBT non-discrimination and hate crimes legislation. Michael J. Adee will represent MLP at this rally and lobby the New Mexico members of Congress. Rev. Erin Swenson, recent National Co-Moderator of MLP, is participating and will visit the Georgia delegation.

All are welcome to join MLP for an Interfaith Celebration, April 16, Monday, 7 PM - 9 PM, All Souls Church, 1500 Harvard Street NW. You are also welcome to join us for the Clergy Call for Justice and Equality gathering April 17, Tuesday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Holiday Inn on the Hill, 425 New Jersey Avenue NW. The press conference is set for 10:30 AM. Congressional lobby visits are 1 PM - 5 PM.

The Religion and Faith Program of the Human Rights Campaign is coordinating and producing this Clergy Call for Justice & Equality in our Nation's Capital. For more information go to www.hrc.org or www.mlp.org

For these days, April 15 - 17 and beyond, we join in belief, hope and prayer with the ancient Hebrew prophet Amos: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Grace and peace,

Alice Hissey, Jeanne MacKenzie, Madeline Jervis, Judie Armington, Rusty Lynn, David Ensign, Wayne Sherwood, Dan Christian, and David Plummer

The Open Doors Chapter of More Light Presbyterians
National Capital Presbytery, Washington, D.C.