URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Maryland Marriage Equality Witness

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

We write to you at a crucial moment in the battle for human equality. --- As many of you know, this past week the Governor of Maryland introduced legislation that would guarantee both Marriage Equality in that state and the option of religiously based institutions to maintain their opposition in doctrine and in practice.

Though opponents of equality will be protected under the proposed legislation, religious leaders from Maryland's smallest to its largest mega-churches are organizing to defeat this important legislation.

At a rally this past Monday, people of faith who oppose equality chanted, "Adam and Eve, YES; Adam and Steve, NO!"

Delegate Jay Walker proclaimed to the more than 300 people bused in, "I'm not trying to change the law to make my sinning legal."

ENOUGH! It's time that religious voices for human equality be heard just as loudly in Maryland, and receive just as much coverage as those who oppose us. The Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and The Rev. Candy Holmes have been leading the charge in Maryland, and they need all our support and help now.

• On Monday, February 13th, there will be a MARRIAGE EQUALITY RALLY AND LOBBY beginning at 6pm at Lawyer's Mall in front of the State Capital of Annapolis. No matter where you live, your voice and your presence as a person of faith who believes in equality will make a difference.

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• On Thursday, February 16th, beginning at 7pm there will be an INTERFAITH SERVICE, "Faithful Voices for All of Us," at Prince George's Community College {301 Largo Road, Largo, Maryland}.
  
• Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship, and Maryland's Attorney General, Doug Gansler will be speaking. The Rev. Candy Holmes will serve as emcee for the evening, and MCCers will lead the music for the gathering.

Metropolitan Community Churches and its members and leaders have been in the forefront of the battle for marriage equality since our founding. Rev. Perry's vision included not only the call to work for universal salvation and community, but social justice, because, like all prophets, he foresaw a day when all God's children would be free.

We urge you to join in supporting this next step in fulfilling that vision by attending the rally or service if you are able, and by joining us in praying fervently for the prevailing of God's dream of a world at peace with its own diversity.

If you are able to attend or you and your congregation will be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Maryland, please let Rev. Candy know at candynotes@aol.com.

May God continue to bless and guide all of us.

+The Rev. Nancy Wilson, Moderator The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director

Metropolitan Community Churches Global Justice Institute

RevNancyWilson@mccchurches.net RevPatMCCNY@aol.com