From: Lmrutt@aol.com Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 14:38:07 EDT Subject: MEDIA INVITATION: CHRISTIAN GLBT & ALLIES CONFERENCE - WOW2000 * MEDIA INVITATION TO ATTEND WOW2000 * DESPITE DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES BY MANY DENOMINATIONS THIS SUMMER, GRASSROOTS WELCOMING CHURCH MOVEMENT GROWS TO AFFECT CHANGE WOW2000 Conference To Be the Largest Cross-Denominational Gathering of Christians Working for Full Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Persons in Our Churches and Society, August 3 - 6, 2000 ***************************************** MEDIA ALERT: July 12, 2000 - For Immediate Release Witness Our Welcome - WOW2000 http://www.wow2k.org Media Contact: Laura Montgomery Rutt Phone: 717-627-7180 (media only) Email: wow2000media@eudoramail.com ****************************************** Chicago - Strategizing and working toward full inclusion of LGBT people in churches and society despite prohibitions, discrimination, and other barriers, will be one of the themes of the largest ecumenical gathering of welcoming churches and individuals ever held; Witness our Welcome 2000: God's Promise Is for You (WOW2000). This historic event will be taking place August 3 - 6 in DeKalb, IL, at Northern Illinois University just outside Chicago. WHO: Hundreds of people of all ages, gay and straight, many from congregations and organizations active in the struggle for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, including many of the most prominent and outspoken leaders in the Welcoming Church Movement. WHAT: Witness our Welcome 2000: God's Promise Is for You (WOW2000) - the largest cross-denominational gathering of welcoming churches and individuals ever held. WHY: To work for full inclusion of LGBT people in churches and society. WHERE: Northern Illinois University, Dekalb IL, west of Chicago. WHEN: August 3 at 7:00pm - August 6, 2000 Friday, Aug 4 at noon - Press Conference on the campus of Northern Illinois University (campus location to be announced) with press availability *Invited Speakers at press conference include: Ø Rev. Jimmy Creech, former United Methodist who was defrocked by the church; Ø Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr, an openly gay lesbian Presbyterian minister; Ø Rev. Dr. Bill Johnson, United Church of Christ and first openly gay person ever ordained; Ø The Right Reverend Steve Charleston, President of the Episcopal Divinity School; Ø Irene Monroe, doctoral candidate at Harvard Divinity School, teaching fellow of Rev. Peter Gomes. Most plenary speakers and worship leaders will be available at this time. For a full list of speakers, worship leaders, and workshop facilitators, see http://www.wow2k.org OTHER MEDIA CONSIDERATIONS: Media are invited to attend adult workshops, plenaries, and the large worship services, some restrictions apply. Possible story angles include: People on the local level are working for full inclusion of LGBT individuals. Grassroots movement strategizing across domination lines for change. Parents and Family members are adversely affected by church discriminatory policies. LBGT and allies refuse to accept churches discriminatory policies. To RSVP and get credentials for the event to have access to the press room, all plenaries, workshops, large worship services, and the press conference, please email wow2000media@eudoramail.com, or call 717-627-7180. Additional media interviews can be scheduled in advance. *SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW * ---------------------------------------------------------------- DESPITE DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES BY MANY DENOMINATIONS THIS SUMMER, GRASSROOTS WELCOMING CHURCH MOVEMENT GROWS TO AFFECT CHANGE WOW2000 To Be the Largest Cross-Denominational Gathering and Celebration of Christians Working for Full Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons in Church and Society, August 3 - 6, 2000 ***************************************** PRESS RELEASE: May 30, 2000 - For Immediate Release Witness Our Welcome - WOW2000 http://www.wow2k.org Media Contact: Laura Montgomery Rutt Phone: 717-627-7180 (media only) Email: wow2000media@eudoramail.com ****************************************** Chicago - Hundreds of Christians are expected to assemble for the largest ecumenical gathering of welcoming churches and individuals ever held; Witness our Welcome 2000: God's Promise Is for You (WOW2000). This historic event will be taking place August 3 - 6 in DeKalb, IL, at Northern Illinois University just outside Chicago, to work for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people despite prohibitions and discrimination in many churches and denominations. "After most of the national denominational meetings this summer, it becomes clearer and clearer that full inclusion is going to be at grassroots of most denominations. The work of people on the local level is what will affect change in our denominations, and it is what will support inclusion in each local church that already affirms LGBT individuals," said Mark Bowman, Coordinator of the WOW2000 Conference. According to Bowman, there are already over 1000 churches in the welcoming church movement. Over 300 United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations are listed with the "UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns" as Open and Affirming (ONA) churches. The General Synod, which is the national delegate body which meets every other year, adopted a resolution in 1985 calling on all UCC Congregations to become open and affirming. "For the past 30 years, various bodies in the UCC church have been speaking out for full inclusion of GLBT people within the church and society," said Ann B. Day, the ONA Program Coordinator for the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns. "The WOW2000 Conference is one more step forward in the journey for full inclusion." Among the notable speakers who are participating in at WOW2000 are Rev. Janie Spahr, an openly lesbian Presbyterian minister and founder of "That All May Freely Serve"; Rev. Jimmy Creech, who was defrocked by the United Methodist Church for performing a union ceremony for two men; Rev. John Selders, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and coordinator for the Urban Leadership Project of The Night Ministry of Chicago; Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, the chief ecumenical officer for Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; and many more. To register, or for more information about sponsoring organizations, see http://www.wow2k.org, or call 800-318-5581. NOTE: For press credentials, please contact Laura Montgomery Rutt, 717-627-7180, (FAX) 717-625-3878, (email) wow2000media@eudoramail.com . SPONSORS include: Affirming Congregation Programme (United Church of Canada); Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (American Baptist); Beyond Inclusion, Integrity, & The Oasis (Episcopal); More Light Presbyterians (Presbyterian); Open & Affirming Ministries (Disciples of Christ); Open and Affirming Program (United Church of Christ); Reconciling in Christ Program (Lutheran); Reconciling Congregation Program (United Methodist); Supportive Congregations Network (Brethren/Mennonite). For the full list of speakers, worship leaders, workshop facilitators, and organizations supporting WOW2000, go to http://www.wow2k.org/