Friends Digest

Dear Friends,

After rise of Meeting this week we will have our third session of
Quakerism 101, on the subject of “Quietism, Activism, and Evangelism”, covering the 200 year period from George Fox’s death to the end of the 19th Century.

We are still collecting non-perishable food items to donate to Manna Food Bank. Thanks to everyone who has been faithful in contributing to this effort.

Steve

Tags: Adult SE, Quakerism 101

Children’s RE for First Day School, March 7th

Friends,
Our Children’s RE group, is covering the New Testament as it pertains to our position on Faith as Quakers, as well as from a historical perspective, this Spring Session. Tomorrow, March 7th, , we will be talking about the Sermon on the Mount, and we will be constructing a model of the scene, with the Mount, and also a lake and desert, which will figure in subsequent lessons. This will be a really fun interactive hands-on event, modelling landscape, buildings, boats, and little little people, which we anticipate will be tremendous fun for all! (As well as being informative and thoughtful!) We hope that those of you with children will be able to bring them for this wonderful class, while joining us for silent worship.
Peace, Rylin

Tags: artistic lesson plan, Children's RE

Up date on People of Faith for Just Relationships

From Jim Cavener:

Friends:
The following is a listing of some media reports on our recent
press conference where 29 local religious leaders endorsed the
Asheville City Council’s decision to offer domestic partner benefits
for same-sex couple city employees. Of course there is vocal
opposition, but when the Blabtists held their opposition event, only
four pastors attended, so….
The second listing (below) — WSPA, Channel 7 (CBS) –
misquotes me twice, but shows nice images of Alan and me in our signature striped scarves (it was COLD that morning!) and shows Alan standing with the clergy, representing AVL Friends Meeting Clerk Katherine Kowal who is in Ohio. He’s in back row on the top step, in his jaunty black leather cap. As a member of Ministry and Counsel he qualifies. Others featured are Rabbi Rob Cavelli of Beth Israel Synagogue, Byron Ballard a Wiccan Priestess, and other good folks.
Watch with interest…We are making strides.
Jim
———————————————-
Coverage of Faith Leaders’ News Conference, March 4, 2010
Sponsored by People of Faith for Just Relationships (PFJR)
pfaithjr@gmail.com
Asheville, North Carolina

Following is an update letter from Monroe Gilmour:

Good morning Coalition/PFJR friends,

Attached are the News Release and the Statement of Support thatmwent out from People of Faith for Just Relationships including the names of 29 faith leaders who had signed the Statement.

Below are links to radio, TV, and newspaper coverage of the News Conference:

WLOS Channel 13 (ABC) Asheville “City of Asheville debates domestic partner benefits” March 4, 2010

http://www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/wlos_vid_1885.shtml

WSPA Channel 7 (CBS) Spartanburg, SC “Religious leaders support benefits for gay couples in Asheville” March 4, 2010

http://www2.wspa.com/news/2010/mar/04/8/religious-leaders-support-benefits-gay-couples-ash-ar-50125/

Asheville Citizen-Times “Asheville-area faith leaders speak out for
gay partner benefits” by Joel Burgess March 4, 2010 Front Page Story

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100305/NEWS01/303050038

WWNC-570 AM Asheville, NC “Same-sex benefits getting show of
support” (includes video)

http://www.wwnc.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122546&article=6841675

MountainXpress Asheville, NC “Faith leaders thank Asheville City
Council for gay-benefits vote” by Jon Elliston, March 4, 2010

http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/faith_leaders_thank_asheville_city_council_for_gay_benefits_vote1

Scrutiny Hooligans blog “Have Faith” by Michael Muller March 4, 2010

http://scrutinyhooligans.us/

Thanks to First Congregational United Church of Christ for hosting PFJR and the event and to the church’s staff and congregation for organizing coffee, tea, good snacks, and a warm hearth for everyone.
It was truly an uplifting morning!
Best
Monroe

Monroe Gilmour
Coalition for Equality
www.equalityasheville.org
828-669-6677
info@equalityasheville.org
pfaithjr@gmail.com

Tags: interfaith, media coverage, PFJR, press conference, social justice