From: AGCMCC@aol.com Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 16:46:07 EDT Subject: Fwd: Media Release for Magazines on Phelps Pictures of Protest and Counter-Protest available upon request. Paul David Stanko Minister of Music/Administrator All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church Minneapolis, MN Media Release: All God's Children MCC of the Twin Cities is still celebrating the incredible events of this past weekend. The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas arrived in the Twin Cities this past weekend with 20 congregants to picket the church with a message, "God hates Fags". Unfortunately, Rev. Phelps underestimated All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church and the Twin Cities as over 1,000 people gathered at the church on Sunday morning to attend a counter rally, stating "Minnesota says No to Hate". Crowds gathered on the steps of the church spilling out on the lawns and into the streets. The crowds burst into applause as the Attorney General of the State, Skip Humphrey, and 3 other candidates for governor lead a procession of numerous State Senators, State Representatives, and city and government officials into the sanctuary. Pastors from area churches stopped to joined the 9:30 am counter rally, as they were enroute to their own worship services. An ecumenical group of representative from religious groups, Civil rights organizations, GLBT organizations, heterosexual and homosexual groups, numbering over 100 all joined together in an overwhelming spirit of unity. The 9:30 rally held in the sanctuary could not contain the crowds. Over 600 packed into the standing room only gathering to hear Government officials, community leaders, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered spokespersons speaking out against hate in Minnesota. The Mayor of Minneapolis signed a proclamation making this day "say no to hate day". Television cameras swarmed the church along with press, and radio to cover this event with such an incredible "who's who" list. The congregation joined hands as the 28 voice Chancel Choir and 24-piece orchestra under the direction of Paul David Stanko sang a resounding "Let there be peace on Earth and Let it begin with me." It was followed by a moment of silence for all those who have died or experienced hate crimes in Minnesota. Rev. Fred Phelps's group sang hymns outside on the street corner. They carried signs, with messages saying "Gays are going to hell, your Pastor is lying, Gays deserve AIDS." All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church position was one of non-violent activism, sharing a message of love vs. the Westboro Baptist churches message of hate. The 400 that could not get into the building stood on the steps of the church and began to sing "Jesus loves Me this I know" as Phelps's group shouted statements of hate. A reportor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press stated "It was amazing to hear the language that the Phelps's group used. I was shocked that this so-called Christian church would stand on the street corner and yell, "you are all a bunch of butt-f**kers." There were no acts of violence and no one was arrested. The Twin Cities community honored the request of Rev. Paul Graetz, and the church that this rally be an act of love and affirmation of God's inclusive love for all. AGCMCC had groups praying on the church steps as the crowds gathered, bottle water and packaged snacks were available for Rev. Phelps' group as gifts of love. The rally transitioned into the 10:00 am morning worship service, with a call to be a people of love in action. The Chancel Choir and Orchestra performed "Without Love" from 1 Corinthians 13 and the congregation was touched by the presence of God. The Holy Spirit's power was so present that the overwhelmed crowd sat with tears streaming down their faces. Rev. Paul Graetz, Pastor spoke on "A more excellent way, the journey of a lifestyle of love." ! Corinthians 12:27-13:13 Outside the service, were Police officers who had gathered around the church as early as 7:00 in the morning. They asked if they could receive communion with the congregation. The spirit of ecumenicalism moved throughout the room as the crowds came forward to break bread together. The service ended with the congregation, chancel choir and orchestra singing "Here I am, Lord", responding to the pastor's call that each one of us let love be lived out from our word, actions, deeds. After the service a peace and justice resource fair and reception was held in the social hall. 30 organizations had booths to network together on GLBT issues. "We could not have asked for anything better", says Pastor Paul Graetz, Thank you, Rev. Fred Phelps! You gave this church, city and state an opportunity to gather in unity and love. We were able to turn a negative into a positive and proclaim the message we are ALL God's Children.