JMO's late July (2005) update

Friends,

There are three items that I'd like to bring to your attention as July
melts into August:

1) Yesterday the St. Louis Post-Dispatch carried a commentary that I
wrote and submitted.

2) Pro-Vote, an organization that recruits, trains, and supports progressive candidates, has a job opening.

3) Earlier in my "what I'm doing this summer report," I shared that I would be attending the United Church of Christ biennial General Synod in Atlanta. What a wonderful experience that was! I hope you'll take time to read the statement that Rev. John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, issued on the marriage equality resolution. It's available at:
http://news.ucc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=271&Itemid=56

There's also an excellent sermon by Rev. Kenneth Samuel of Victory for the World Church at:
http://news.ucc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=276&Itemid=56

Victory for the World UCC in Stone Mountain, GA, is a 5,000-plus member African American congregation that takes a pro-justice stance toward LGBT persons. Rev. Samuel's sermon, in part, explores some of the biblical texts that we know better than to take literally (like "slaves, obey your masters" or "women, keep silence in church"). It also makes a great case for why people who disagree should remain in dialogue.

Hope you're having a great summer. Dorothy and I will be on vacation in Paris (Paris, Tennessee, that is) from July 30-August 7, so I will not be able to return e-mail messages until that time.

JMO