|
Table of Contents Brown vs. the Board of Education / Little Known Facts Accepting Allies/Chalice Lighters Retreating with the Eurpoean UUs Congregational News/UUC Roanoke 50th Anniversary Pastoral Care in Changing Times A Day to Remember/Unitarian Church of Norfolk Takes a Stand Planning for Growth and Vitality in Small Size Congregations TJD/UUA Fair Share Congregations |
Accepting Allies Charlotte has now become home to an anti-gay group that calls itself "The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families." The group has actively campaigned against even the most basic civil rights for gay people, including supporting the proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. They join another anti-gay group, Operation Save America (formally Operation Rescue), which also moved its national headquarters to Charlotte. In Wilmington, a conservative Christian family received national attention when they went public with their anti-gay sentiments over a storybook that their daughter took out from the school library called King and King. It is about a prince who cannot find a princess that he loves and instead falls for another prince. Instead of using this as an educational tool, they have used it as a demonstration of their anti-gay bias. They are refusing to return the book to the library until they are assured that it will not be circulated. South Carolina has passed a bill that prohibits recognition of same gender marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships made in other states. In addition, it specifically bans same sex partners of state employees from receiving state health benefits. Another bill that prohibits unmarried couples from adopting children also passed. Virginia, in addition to banning gay marriage, passed a law that also bans gays from setting up powers of attorney, forbids the ability to make custody decisions, and even to designate your partner as a beneficiary in your will. On a personal note, we would like to thank the district for honoring us with the 2004 President's Award for Social Justice. We are deeply touched and somewhat overwhelmed at your generosity. Frank & Gary
Chalice Lighters This has been a really good year! Chalice Lighter membership has increased to 2,216 bringing our district percentage to 24%. Unitarian Coastal Fellowship at Morehead City received a check for $18,519 at the Annual Meeting in Charlotte to support their full-time minister. The Chalice Lighter Committee has received several more inquiries regarding applications for grants and they are being evaluated as they arrive. Circles of Commitment were awarded as follows: Munroe Husbands - 20%-40% As Chair of the Chalice Lighter Committee, I was thrilled and speechless to be given The President's Award for service to the Thomas Jefferson District during the past three years. In June I will be retiring and MARTHA FOWLER of Greensboro has agreed to assume chairmanship of the committee. Martha has been an active member of the committee for the past year and is a dedicated UU and Chalice Lighter. The committee now consists of My special thanks go to the Chalice Lighter Coordinators, who are the link in the chain of command. They are the ones upon whom I depend to increase Chalice Lighter Membership, keep member lists current and, above all, keep the Chalice Lighter Program alive and well in their congregations. It has been my pleasure to work with the T.J. District Growth & Development Council under the able leadership of the Reverend Lori Staubitz. Our District Administrator, Shannon Cocheo, is invaluable to this program, and I thank her for her patience and generously shared time. My gratitude goes also to Leon Spencer, whose faith in me continued throughout my term and whose support and friendship I will always treasure, and to Qiyamah Rahman, our District Executive, whose advice and counsel has always been sought after and appreciated. The district is so fortunate to have such dedicated and loyal leadership. I am honored to have served for the past three years. Keep the Flame Alive, Marjorie Gelbin, Chair
|