Queens Pride Today

Integrity NYC-Metro has a table at Queens Pride today, which takes place on 75th St at 37th Road in Jackson Heights.

TRANSIT:
74 St - Broadway (275 ft SW)  
Roosevelt Ave - Jackson Heights  

IntegrityUSA General Convention Reception June 2

Integrity is hosting a wine-and-hors d'ouvres reception on Saturday, June 2 at noon, at St. Mark's Church in the Bowery in NYC to share information about our plans for General Convention 2012 and beyond.  The event will be hosted by Lis Jacobs, the Treasurer of IntegrityUSA. 

If you are curious about  Integrity's work and would like to know more, or have ideas about where you think we should be headed, Please attend or contact us for more information. We have offered some perspective on the relevance of Integrity's work in a recent post.  

St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery,  is located at 131 East 10th Street, on the corner of 2nd Avenue. It is the second-oldest church in Manhattan and the oldest continuously-operating place of worship in New York City.  They are an Integrity Proud Parish Partner and we are grateful to them for hosting this event.  We hope you will join us!

EVENT SNAPSHOT:

• WHAT: IntegrityUSA General Convention 2012 Reception
• WHEN:  Sat. June 2, 12-2 p.m.
• WHERE: St. Mark's Church in the Bowery
  131 East 10th Street  New York, NY 10003
  (Transit: 3rd Ave at 14th St.  )
• COST: Free (contributions welcome towards Integrity's General Convention 2012 campaign)

Free HIV Tests at Church of the Intercession this Saturday

This event, not sponsored by Integrity NYC-Metro, is shared as a public service.

The Church of the Intercession together with the National Black Leadership Coalition on AIDS, the New York City Council Faith Based HIV/AIDS Initiative, and Harlem United will be hosting their third HIV testing and awareness campaign at the Episcopal Church of the Intercession, 550 West 155th Street (located on the southeast corner of 155th and Broadway).

The public is invited for free testing and to receive valuable information on HIV/AIDS.

• When: Saturday, May 19th, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
• Where: Episcopal Church of the Intercession, 550 West 155th Street (located on the southeast corner of 155th and Broadway)
  TRANSIT: 157 St 

Love Free or Die Recap

Integrity Leaders at Screening of Love Free or Die:
(back) Christian Paolino, Paul Lane, Mary O'Shaughnessy, Marlin Mattson
(front) The Rev. Megan Sanders, Dr. Louie Crew, Chap James Day

We were pleased to welcome about 40 people from both sides of the river to a recent screening of Love Free or Die at Grace Church in the Van Vorst section of Jersey City. The film is a biography of The Right Rev. Gene Robinson, the first out gay person to be ordained a bishop of any church,

Among us were Integrity's founder. Dr. Louie Crew; the Rev. Liz Edman, Board President of the Hudson Pride Connections Center, which co-sponsored the event along with The OASIS, the LGBT ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark; and Michael Cudney, Chair of the LGBT Concerns Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.  Chapter President Mary O'Shaughnessy greeted everyone afterwards and shared news of upcoming Chapter events.

After the film and a short discussion, we were led in Compline (a short prayer service that is the last component of the Daily Office) by our chapter's recently-called Chaplain, The Rev. Megan Sanders.  Megan splits her time between the Seamen's Church Institute at Port Newark and St. Luke's Church in Montclair, N.J.

The film was a look back at Bishop Robinson's ministry and the world's reaction to it, beginning not at his consecration but the Lambeth Conference of 2008, to which he was specifically not invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  It presented not only his reactions and views, but gave a voice to those for whom his ordination was deeply troubling.  We enjoyed seeing many familiar faces in the film, including several people in the room.

If you were there and want to share your impressions of the film, please comment!  If you missed the screening, please stay tuned as we have had several offers to host another one.  Thank you to The Rev. Dr. Barrie Bates, Interim Rector at Grace Church Van Vorst, and parishioner Donald Gallagher, for their hospitality and assistance.

Screening of Gene Robinson Bio "Love Free or Die" Apr 13

On Friday, April 13th at 7pm, Integrity NYC Metro (along with The OASIS LGBT Ministry of the Diocese of Newark, and the Hudson Pride Connections Center) will be co-hosting a screening of Macky Alston's award-winning biography of The Right Rev. Gene Robinson, Love Free or Die, at Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City, NJ.

The screening will be free.  A freewill offering will be taken to support further promotion of the film.  Grace Church is an easy walk from the Grove Street PATH station.

Winner of a special jury prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, Love Free or Die is "compelling storytelling, even for those familiar with the outlines of Robinson’s story: his 2003 consecration as a bishop, the backlash from conservatives within the U.S. and global church, and the Episcopal Church’s decision at its 2009 general convention to continue to ordain gay bishops and to develop blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples," as reviewed by Peter Montgomery in Religion Dispatch.

Others in the church - both for and against Bishop Robinson's ordination - are interviewed, including the Right Rev. Otis Charles, who came out and married his partner after retiring as bishop of Utah; the Right Rev. Barbara Harris, the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion; and a Ugandan woman living with HIV.

Footage from some of the major public events in Bishop Robinson's episcopacy are featured, including a dramatic confrontation with a heckler while preaching in England.

PLEASE HELP US spread the word about this event by sharing this flyer. Facebook users please RSVP and invite your friends here.

Reviews of Love Free or Die:

• First Gay Bishop? Give Me a Break -  Religion Dispatches
• Doers of the Word: Bishop Gene Robinson in Love Free or Die - HRC
• New film chronicles gay Episcopal bishop - Bay Area Reporter

EVENT SNAPSHOT:

• WHAT: Screening of Love Free or Die
• WHEN:  Fri. Apr. 13 @ 7 p.m.
• WHERE: Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie Street, Jersey City, NJ
  (Transit: PATH to Grove Street)
• COST: Free (contributions welcome)

Integrity NYC Metro to March in St. Pat's For All Parade in Queens

Integrity NYC-Metro is pleased to announce we will once again be participating in the St. Pat's for All Parade in Queens on Sunday, March 4th.

Founded in 2000, St. Pat's for All is an inclusive celebration that welcomes people of many ages and ethnic backgrounds. It was founded in response to a conflict regarding LGBT groups being banned from the better-known parade in Manhattan.

This year's theme is "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" and -- fittingly -- the parade will be led by a contingent of young people.  The principal honorees are the political historian and novelist Peter Quinn, author of the now-available book The Man Who Never Returned; and Mary Brosnahan, Executive Director of The Coalition for the Homeless. Mary was named by the New York Post this past year one of the “Fifty Most Powerful Women in New York.” Terry Golway of The New York Observer noted that if “compassion were an industry in New York, Ms. Brosnahan would be its chief executive officer.”

Individuals, congregations and others are invited to march with Integrity NYC-Metro. Participation is free, but any contribution to offset the cost of participating will be appreciated.

• WHEN:  Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
• WHERE: Skillman Avenue at 47th Street in Woodside Queens
   
• TRANSIT: to 46th St. then walk two blocks north to Skillman Avenue and turn right.

Reaching Out: New Meetup Group for LGBT Christians in NYC

As part of an effort to reach more people, both our peers in other LGBT Christian organizations and those looking for a spiritual home, we have founded a Meetup Group.  Unlike Facebook and other social networking services, Meetup is event-focused and automatically suggests activities to members based on what interests they choose in their profile.

In an effort to share this tool and ministry with similar organizations within other mainline denominations, we have chose to identify this group as "Believe Out Loud NYC" rather than limit it to Integrity.  We will make contact with the other area churches listed as Believe Out Loud partners in an effort to foster the kind of ecumenical cooperation the campaign espouses.

Please take a look at the Meetup Group and consider participating.  Besides events we will use it for discussions, polls and other activities to get to know other progressive Christians in the city.

Eucharist & Social Scheduled for Feb. 10th

On Friday, Feb. 10th at 7:00 p.m., Integrity NYC-Metro invites everyone to join us for worship and conversation at St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street, New York.

The Rev. Jon L. Richardson, Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul's Church in Jersey City and Vice President for National Affairs for IntegrityUSA, will celebrate the Eucharist, assisted by The Rev. Deacon Kenton Curtis.  Kenton is the supervising social worker for the HIV/AIDS Initiative of The Actors Fund and serves at All Saints' Church in Manhattan.

The Rev. Jan Nunley, an award-winning journalist who helped shepherd the Episcopal Church's communications into the digital age, will offer the sermon. A reception and social hour will follow.

A special invitation is extended to past and present members of Integrity. We would like to get to know you and share a bit about what we've been up to!

St. Luke in the Fields is located at the corner of Hudson and Christopher streets in the  heart of the West Village. It is just steps away from the Christopher Street PATH station for a quick ride from New Jersey, and two short blocks from the Sheridan Square station on the #1 subway.

Coming Out as Christian at GAAMC

On Monday, April 4th, three of us "came out" at a regular meeting of the Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County (GAAMC), the oldest LGBT community organization in New Jersey... as Christians.

Given  the ongoing controversy over what the Bible (and, thus, God) is really saying about same-sex attraction in the way we understand it today, it is not surprising that the intersection of these two worlds is a  thorny one, and there is considerable distrust or at least bemusement at those who claim to be both.  And yet, that is where many of us find ourselves.  Our visit was intended to witness to our own very different experiences, and also to let people know that there are many Christian congregations in the area of various denominations where they will be welcomed, as part of the Believe Out Loud welcoming congregation program.  Integrity, the national organization for LGBT Episcopalians, is working with its peer organizations in thirteen other denominations to identify and support congregations that are striving to be more welcoming and affirming.

As it turned out, there were members of three different Episcopal congregations in the audience.  They also shared testimony of how they had been made to feel welcome, some after very negative experiences in other churches.  Others expressed pleasant surprise that there were so many places taking intentional steps to be more inclusive.

Some good networking followed the event, and we hope to forge cooperation with folks that are already "believing out loud" in their own congregations to keep building the groundswell of inclusion.  Panelists were The Rev. Robert Solon, Vicar at St. Thomas' Church in Vernon, N.J.; Mary O'Shaughnessy, Convenor of Integrity NYC-Metro; and Christian Paolino, Diocesan Organizer (Newark) for IntegrityUSA and a member of the OASIS Commission, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark's ministry to LGBT persons.

Much thanks to Sherry Rase, the program coordinator at GAAMC, for her assistance and hospitality.

Break the Silence Concert

PLEASE SHARE/PRINT/DISPLAY!

On Sunday, February 20th, Intersections International presents a spectacular concert to benefit Believe Out Loud, the multi-denominational revolution of welcome that's sparking new ways of thinking in churches across the country.

Join us for Break the Silence, an afternoon of spectacular music and celebration featuring the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir of Philadelphia, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the Lavender Light Gospel Choir at the beautiful Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. Proceeds benefit the Believe Out Loud project, a collaboration of Intersections International, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Institute of Welcoming Resources, and twelve Christian denominations. Within the Episcopal Church, Integrity and the various OASIS diocesan LGBT outreach programs, along with TransEpiscopal, are working with congregations to promote inclusion. For more information on Believe Out Loud within the Episcopal Church, visit An Invitation to Become a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation.

Tickets are $20.00 in advance; $15.00 for groups of five or more; and $25.00 at the door.

For more information, contact James Rowe at Intersections International.

WHEN:  Sunday, Feb. 20th at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Marble Collegiate Church, 3 W 29 St, New York, NY
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
- Subway: 28th & Broadway (N,R) 28th & Lexington (4,6)
- Bus: X27 (5th Ave & W 30 St)


View Larger Map

World AIDS Day Observances

WORLD AIDS DAY OBSERVANCES IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY DEC. 1

On Wednesday, December 1st, the chapter will participate in World AIDS Day observances on both sides of the Hudson.

New York

At 6:15 p.m. we will join Episcopal Response to AIDS at St. Luke in-the-Fields, 487 Hudson Street, for their annual World AIDS Day Eucharist. The Rev. Hugh M. Grant will celebrate the Eucharist, and The Rev. Mary Foulke will preach.

ERA’s 2011 Grant Awards will be announced at the reception following immediately after the service. Please join us! Everyone is welcome to our table

To submit names of the departed, infected and affected for inclusion in the Prayers of the People and/or to RSVP, please email WAD@erany.org. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to support the work of ERA, please visit www.erany.org to make a secure on-line donation, or mail a check made payable to “Episcopal Response to AIDS” to:

ERA
1047 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10025

Thank you!

Transportation:

	33 ST	Christopher Street Station
		Christopher St./Sheridan Square
	M08 - West St. Crosstown	Christopher & Greenwich Sts.

New Jersey

World AIDS Day: A Service of Remembrance and Healing

At 7:30 p.m., we will join The OASIS and Positive Connections, a support group for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, in an observance of World AIDS Day at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 380 Clifton Avenue, Clifton. The Rev. Peter DeFranco, Rector of St. Peter's, will officiate and Gary Paul Wright, a leader in the state's response to HIV/AIDS, will be the guest speaker.

A panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display, with thanks to The Names Project of North Jersey. During the Remembrance of the Dead, candles will be lighted by members of the congregation in memory of people who have died of AIDS. A social will follow the service. All are welcome.

Transportation:

74 Paterson - Newark 190 Paterson - NYC 705 Passaic Bus Term

Main Ave. & Clifton Ave.

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

The Human Rights Crisis in Uganda Seminar - Tues 23 Mar, 7pm at Riverside Church

Other Sheep and Maranatha of Riverside Church are Hosting this Seminar

Political Research Associates Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma, author of "Globalizing the Culture Wars: U.S. Conservatives, African Churches, and Homophobia," and Sexual Minorities of Uganda (SMUG) leader Frank Mugisha will discuss the intersecting of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, U.S. church politics, and the Institute on Democracy and Religion.

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Time: 7pm

Location: The Riverside Church, Manhattan, New York

Room: MLK 411

Other Co-Sponsors of this Event include:

Believe Out Loud: Episcopal Congregations

Integrity NYC

Dignity NYC

Dignity USA

Metropolitan Community Church of NY

Presbyterian Welcome

Silence to Speech Productions

Lavender and Green Alliance

Read the full announcement at Other Sheep eNews Archives

Celebratory Eucharist - 20 Sep, 4pm - St. Luke's

Details:

Sunday, 20th September 2009 (4:00pm)
Church of St. Luke in the Fields
487 Hudson St (at Grove)

This Summer General Convention passed some amazing resolutions.

IntegrityUSA was there the entire time advocating among the delegates to do the right thing, and they came through!

iNYC is hosting this Celebratory Eucharist in thanksgiving for these resolutions and in gratitude to the Diocesan delegates who helped make these strides possible!

This is our time to Celebrate the welcoming and affirming Episcopal Church in our own area! Come join us!!!


Celebrant: Bishop Roskam, Diocese of New York
Preacher: David Casey of iNYC
Acolytes: St. Luke in the Fields
Music: John Bradley and David Shuler

The Resolutions:
C056 – Authorizes “generous pastoral support” for blessing marriages, unions & partnerships and collection of liturgical resources for consideration at GC2012
C048 – Urges support of fully inclusive ENDA legislation pending in Washington
D012 -- Support for Transgender Civil Rights
D025 – Supports inclusive ordination processes for ALL orders of ministry
D032 -- Non-discrimination clause including gender identity and gender expression for lay employees
D076 -- Support for immigration equality for gay couples
D090 -- Church paper work to be made more accessible to flexibility in gender identity and pronoun preference
C023 – Urging support for repeal of DOMA (“Defense of Marriage Act”) passed in Deputies and was referred by Bishops to Executive Council – where we expect affirmative action will be taken to take the voice of the Episcopal Church to Washington on this important issue.


Please RSVP Below:
Facebook
Socializr

"We Will Not Be Silent" Community Rally in Jackson Heights

iNYC was a co-sponsor of the We Will Not Be Silent Community Rally in Jackson Heights. Our very own Michael Mallon attended the event. There were many other community organizations and organizers. There were about 200 people including politicians showing support and showing solidarity denouncing the acts of violence faced by the trans community in New York City.

Want to read more about the Transgendered Episcopal movement? Why not check out TransEpiscopal!

Here are a few pictures from the Rally. If you click on the images, they will enlarge.

Michael Mallon, Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place) Brendan Fay (Civil Marriage Trail Project), Melissa Sklarz (SDNYC), Jeremiah Frei-Pearson (WQfME, LICA), Jennifer Gamper (Carmen's Place), Marisa Ragonesa (Generation Q)and other organizers

Mark Elyaqim Mosheh Adam (OUT Astoria), Gary Paul Gilbert (LGDCQ), Sebastain Maguire (QLGPC), Robert Pinter (Stop the False Arrests Campaign), & Michael Mallon (QLGPC, SDNYC, iNYC, & OUT Astoria)

Deirde Feerick (City Council Candidate) and Brendan Fay (founder of Civil Marriage Trail Project)

Michael Mallon and Erik Bottcher from the New York City Council

Rally for Marriage Equality Event

The Rally for Marriage Equality in Astoria was amazing. The NYC Parks estimated the attendance at 2500 people! Several Episcopalians were guest speakers including Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place), Lauren Marcewicz & Caroline Peacock (St. Luke in the Fields), and Chap Day & Michael Mallon (St. Luke in the Fields, iNYC, and OUT Astoria). There were also many politicians and community organizers. iNYC is a constitutent member of Western Queens for Marriage Equality (WQfME), and was a co-sponsor of this Rally. The NYS Senate is scheduled to vote on Marriage Equality this session, but the Senator from Astoria (George Onorato) says he will not vote in favor of Marriage Equality, despite his district having a large number of LGBT citizens and overwhelming support for Marriage Equality.

Here are some pictures.

2500 people in support of marriage equality

Lauren Marcewicz and Caroline Peacock (St. Luke in the Fields), and their daughter are residents of Astoria asking for marriage equality of their senator, George Onorato.

That's a lot of people

Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place) has been an outspoken LGBT cleric from the Episcopal Church in the Astoria area. Carmen's Place is an LGBT youth homeless shelter in Astoria. Last year several of the youth were attacked on the street, and Father Braxton stepped in to help them and was hit with a garbage can by the perpatrators.

Michael Mallon and Chap Day, both members of the iNYC Steering Committee live in Astoria and are members of OUT Astoria, an LGBT social network.

The Anaheim Appeal - 3 May 2009 at St. Bart's

Click Image to Enlarge It

RSVP HERE

Present Day Experiences of Gay Christians in Kenya and Nigeria - Follow Up

This event was very informative, and well attended by a large mix of people. David Casey, Chap Day, and Michael Mallon were among the iNYC attendees. Davis MacIyalla spoke earlier that day at St. Luke in the Fields.

Here is an official statement from Davis' experience in New York as told to Steve Parelli by Mac-Iyalla, February 27, 2008, Bronx, NY

How I came to be invited to speak at The Riverside Church
When I told Steve I was coming through NYC on my way to a speaking engagement I had in California, and that I would like to stay with him a couple days, he arranged with Maranatha, the LGBT group at The Riverside Church, a forum on The Present-day experiences of Gay Christians in Kenya and Nigeria. I have known Other Sheep since 2006 when I first met Steve in Geneva, Switzerland. Subsequently, I spent a brief time with Steve in 2007 when I came to the United States for a tour. When Other Sheep and Maranatha invited me to speak as a panelist at a forum to be held at The Riverside Church, I was honored, and did not hesitate to accept their
invitation.

The panel participants and what we talked about
The event was a success. Emmanuel Kamau of Kenya and Jose Ortiz of the States, who spent last July and August in Kenya, joined me as panelists. Together, we shared with our American counterpart what it is like to be gay and Christian in a hostile environment.

My gratitude to Other Sheep and Maranatha; special thanks to Steve and Jose for their hospitality
I am grateful to Other Sheep and Maranatha for the opportunity to speak. I am also grateful for the offering they took on my behalf. Too, I want to express my gratitude for the hospitality Steve and Jose showed my while I was here by keeping me in their home, providing for my daily needs, and for seeing me to and from the airport.

My second visit to St. Luke's in the Field
In addition to The Riverside Church meeting, I was able to worship and speak in St. Luke's in the Field in the Village, Manhattan. I spoke here in 2007 and so I was returning to be with friends I had made there on my previous visit. It was wonderful to be with them again. They are so loving
and welcoming. I will always want to return and visit again St. Luke's in the Field.

Davis accompanied iNYC's Chap, Michael, and Tim Martin to dinner following the event.

A full account of the Event can be found on the Other Sheep & Maranatha Riverside website.

O Joy - iNYC Christmas Event

Details:
Wednesday 12 Dec 2007 (6:30pm)
Home of Jacob Miles
302 W 12th St. (@ 8th Ave.), New York,

O, Joy!

Come network with other fabulous men and women at the
Integrity Episcopal NYC (iNYC)
Christmas Event

Agenda:
Advent Intercessions
Seasonal Socializing
Refreshments
Brief Reports


If you care about full equality and full inclusion for everyone and you want to be part of a high-energy group who feel the same, then this is the short, free, fun, no-obligation event for you.

Come, bring friends, evite whomever you like.

RSVP Here

iNYC Innaugural Mixer

Details:
Thursday, 4 October 2007 (6:00 PM)
Home of Jacob Miles
302 West 12th Street @ 8th Avenue, New York, NY

"The Episcopal Church Welcomes You"
And that really does mean you!
But it's up to you to help keep in that way.

Integrity USA is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group of The Episcopal Church.

invites you to come network with people from Greater New York and learn what recent developments in The Episcopal Church mean for you, whether you're an Episcopalian or not.

If you care about full equality and full inclusion for everyone, this is the short, free, fun, no-obligation reception for you.

Come, bring friends, evite whomever you like.

RSVP Here