Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7, 2009
Location: Your place of Worship!
Dear Faith Leader:
We are pleased to announce the fourth annual "Faithful Call to Justice". On Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th, 2009. Clergy, lay leaders, their congregations and others across the nation will join together to acknowledge the contributions of and affirm their commitment to the inclusion of gay and same gender loving people in faith communities.
We feel that homophobia is a major health risk factor in the continuing AIDS crisis, coupled the inability to talk about human sexuality and the ability to be free and open about who we, fuels the stigma, isolation, fear and trepidation about AIDS. Faith communities must take the lead to accurately inform congregants about HIV/AIDS. Many faith communities have taken positive leadership positions on HIV/AIDS awareness, but too few are being proactive, and some are actually misleading their communities through homophobic and sex negative messages.
If we are to be prophetic as spiritual leaders we have a duty to bear witness to the lessons of history, democracy and justice, culture and the law. We must not shirk our civic and religious duties either by accommodating the anti-religious trends in American culture or by ceding the ground to those who would use religiosity to divide God's people.
It is high time to acknowledge the spiritual worth and valued service of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters. We believe that churches, synagogues, temples and mosques must examine their attitudes toward gay men and lesbians and take actions that best serve justice and spiritual healing. Our faith journey has led us to believe that welcoming and affirming lesbian and gay families and friends is a faith-filled call to justice.
This is an opportunity to continue your work for a justice movement, a chance to make and create history and chance to stand for the right along with thousands of other people of faith.
Please join us and fellow faith leaders as we challenge homophobia, raise consciousness about the inherent worth of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender friends, and strive to create a more beloved community.
Religious Advisory Chair Emeritus Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson:
“I have stood out in support of the National Black Justice Coalition’s Faithful Call to Justice because they have righteous intentions and God’s love with them. Too often, our pulpits and places of worship can transform into soapboxes for bigotry. I try to speak out against venomous characterizations of lgbt folk, especially those of color, and help them speak truth to power. We all need affirmation and as black people of all backgrounds, if we can’t find that through religion and faith, where else should we turn? It’s time to heal and love and truly seek justice for all.”
Please join us and fellow faith leaders as we challenge homophobia, raise consciousness about the inherent worth of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender friends, and strive to create a more beloved community.
We offer differing strategies of participation. You may want to deliver a sermon , create a program , or acknowledge LGBT people in your bulletin or from behind the pulpit. These are not mandatory, just examples to spur your creativity:
You may want to deliver a sermon that:
- Explains the spiritual harms caused by homophobia.
- Talks of the role of homophobia and the subsequent spread of HIV/AIDS
- Tells the story of your journey to the welcome and acceptance of same gender loving people as spiritual beings of worth
- Is a cautionary tale of demonizing groups of people to the detriment of their souls, society and democratic principles/why discrimination is immoral
- Explains Christ’s call for hospitality which includes the welcome of everyone
- Speaks of the realities of basic, sacred human sexuality that is inclusive of lesbian and gay people
- Affirms Love as the fundamental organizing principle of life/not limited to heterosexuals
- Educates congregations about same gender loving heroes and their contributions to society (i.e., George Washington Carver, James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Barbara Jordan, Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelangelo, Da Vinci)
- Speaks of how transformative it is for people to experience equality, love, justice, fair play, acceptance and connection
- Talks of the importance of marriage equality for lgbt people
You may want to create a program that acknowledges the worth and contributions of LGBT people:
Examples:
- Have an afternoon program that features music from gay composers, (i.e., Rev. James Cleveland, Handel, Shubert, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Debussy, Grieg, Beethoven, Ravel, Copeland, Mahler).
- Design a program of interpretive dance that reflects attitudes towards gay people and the resolve to create a beloved community.
- Have congregants testify as to their own journey of struggle with the issues of gay people and homosexuality.
- Conduct a prayer meeting for families to reconcile with their gay family members.
- Give an opening or closing prayer for gay people worldwide, asking God to give them strength for their journey.
You may just want to acknowledge Faithful Call in your church, or synagogue bulletins:
- Place the Statement of Affirmation in your bulletin
- Acknowledge Gay Pride Month
- Acknowledge the openly gay people in your congregation, have them stand, and welcome them publicly, extending them the hand of fellowship
How do I register?
If you agree to the following statement, proceed to register:
“As faith leaders we acknowledge the spiritual worth of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and same gender loving brothers and sisters. We welcome their fellowship in worship, and we affirm their God-given rights to life, love, liberty, and equal justice under the law.”
Registration:
Please provide us with the following information and email to: [email protected]
Name
Address
Telephone number
Cell number
E-mail Address
Place of Worship Name and Affiliation
Address of Place of Worship
You may call Dr. Sylvia Rhue at 202-319-1552 x23 for more information.
Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.
Director of Religious Affairs
National Black Justice Coalition
1638 R St. NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
202-319-1552 x23
