Weekly Witness:

June 5, 2008

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

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The Weekly Witness took last week off, as I was traveling to the Diocese of Olympia for an opportunity to see the good work being done by Integrity in Seattle and also to talk about our hopes and expectations for the upcoming Lambeth Conference.

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It was a great trip and there is much to rejoice about in the good work being done in that "corner of the kingdom" -- but I want to point to the Integrity volunteers and sponsorship of Lambert House -- a center for LGBT youth -- as a particular highlight. How wonderful to see the powerful impact the work and witness of these faithful volunteers has on young people -- many who are hearing for the very first time that there are "church people" who not only sing "Just As I Am" but believe it!

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We are coming to the end of our Canterbury Campaign -- it is not too late to donate here ... and if you're in the Boston area it would be great to have you come join us on Sunday for one of our last campaign events!

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Elsewhere, there was good news/bad new in California as the Supreme Court denied requests for a "stay" on their landmark marriage equality ruling, clearing the way for same-sex marriages to begin on June 17th. (That's the good news.)

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The bad news was that the proposition hoping to ban marriage equality and write discrimination into the constitution of the state of California qualified for the November ballot. Information on supporting the efforts to keep that from happening can be found at Equality for All -- the umbrella coalition working to keep marriage equal in California.

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As this is Pride Season, I'm hoping those who have Integrity and/or Diocesan presences in their local Pride celebrations will forward photos and accounts that we can share in this space in the weeks to come. LA Pride is this weekend and I know the Diocese of Los Angeles will once again have an outward-and-visible (and FABULOUS!) sign of God's inclusive love in their witness along Santa Monica Boulvard. Let's share the joy ... and the pride!

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Finally, Integrity commends the Presiding Bishop's call for a "Day of Prayer"for Lambeth Conference.

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Until next week ...