Believe Out Loud Workshop - Province I & II, Danbury CT, 23-24 Jul

About Believe Out Loud:

Many unchurched lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] people in your community are spiritually searching. They are looking for a faith community where they will be welcomed and affirmed as beloved children of God. You can encourage them to visit and join your parish by becoming a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation.

A Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation is a mission or parish of our denomination that publicly welcomes and affirms LGBT people and that has completed a simple, three-phase process. If your parish qualifies, I invite you to register as a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation

Believe Out Loud is a "franchise" being utilized by Integrity USA and endorsed by OASIS, TransEpiscopal, and various diocesan level LGBT committees and ministries to designate Episcopal Parishes that are welcoming, inclusive, and celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people - people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Believe Out Loud is being utilized by multiple denominations as a standard for identifying and gauging inclusive churches. PCUSA, ELCA, UMC, UCC, Disciples of Christ, and some American Baptists have already begun utilizing this process, though they may call it by different names.

The Workshop:

Start Time: Friday, July 23, 2010 at 12:00pm

End Time: Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 5:00pm

Location: St. James Episcopal Church

Street: 25 West St

City/Town: Danbury, CT

Who Should Attend?

Any Episcopalian who wants to learn how he or she can help make their parish and diocese become more welcoming and affirming of LGBT folk. Current and prospective chapter leaders and diocesan organizers are especially encouraged to register. Although this event is primarily for those who live in Province 1 and 2, participants from other states are welcome.

Trainers

The workshop will be facilitated by:

Neil Houghton, Vice President for Local Affairs

John-Albert Moseley, Province 1 Coordinator

Chap James Day, Province 2 Coordinator

Lodging:

You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations. A courtesy block of 16 rooms has been reserved for July 23rd at the following hotel. The rate is $109 single or double. Mention "Integrity" when making your reservation. Reservations must be made by June 25th to receive the quoted rate.

The Ethan Allen Hotel

21 Lake Avenue Extension

Danbury, Connecticut 06811-9956800-742-1776 toll free

203-744-1776 local

A few local Integrity members may be willing to host guests in their homes at no cost. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please indicate this when you register.

Cost:

There is no registration fee for this workshop. However, you are responsible for your own travel, lodging, and meal expenses unless otherwise stated.

Scholarships:

A limited number of $150 scholarships are available to help defray participant's travel and lodging costs. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please indicate this when you register.

Meals Included:

The following meals will be provided:

Buffet Dinner on Friday, July 23rd

Continental Breakfast on Saturday, July 24th

Boxed Luncheon on Saturday, July 24th

If you have special dietary needs or preference, please indicate this when you register.

Accessibility:

The meeting venue is wheelchair accessible. If you require other accommodation [such as an ASL interpreter, please indicate this when you register.

Air Travel & Ground Transportation:

The Westchester County Airport [HPN] is the closest to Danbury. Several budget airlines serve this location.

Danbury is approximately 45 minutes by car from the airport.

Danbury is accessible from Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Take Metro-North's New Haven Line (red) to Stamford, CT and transfer to the Danbury connector. The trip is estimated at a little over 2 hours. The Danbury Station is walking distance to St. James Church.

For fares and schedule, consult the MTA website.

Registration

Click here - > Registration

Questions:

If you any questions, please contact...

John-Albert Moseley, Province 1 Coordinator

860-604-0730

john-albert.moseley@yale.edu

Chap James Day, Province 2 Coordinator

(347) 840-1700

chap@integrityusa.org

Pride March Thank You

A message from Paul Lane:

As the organizer of the Pride March contingent for the Committee on LGBT Concerns of the Diocese of New York, I would like to thank everyone who helped make this year's LGBT Pride March such a success.

The marchers, who came from at least four diocese and made us one of the larger groups in the March. The benefactors, parishes, organization and individuals, who came through to fund the float. The folks at Integrity NYC Metro and Oasis Newark who were instrumental in getting the word out. Our wonderful DJ Brett. Our group marshals: Stephen, Erlinda, Lou and Mark. The Church of the Transfiguration, who made our out of town marchers feel welcome at their 11:00 a.m. Eucharist. The churches along the way who provided water for all the marchers, Marble Collegiate, First Presbyterian, especially the Episcopal Church of the Ascension (who added just a twist of lemon) and the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, who welcomed us at the end of the March both spiritually at Evensong and physically at the reception that followed.

Our visibility is very important. Our presence in the March is a wonderful way to reach out to the LGBT community, many of whom have had very negative experiences with "church" in the past, letting them know that is a church (among others) that welcomes them and is dedicated to "respecting the dignity of every human being".

Planning for next year's March will start in September. Anyone interested in helping can contact us at info@lgbt.dioceseny.org

Again, many thanks to all.

Paul J. Lane

Pride March Organizer

Committee on LGBT Concerns

The Episcopal Diocese of New York

Diocesan Organizer of New York

Integrity USA

Steering Committee Member

Integrity NYC Metro

To see some photos of the 2 block contingent, please see these two Albums:

Pride March 06-27-10 by Millard Cook

Heritage of Pride 2010 by Christian Paolino