Subject: IWG Debbie Woodell letter Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 22:57:02 -0500 (EST) From: Chris Purdom The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 4 religious organizations and 21 clergy from 9 denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. Visit the web page at http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ or http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/religion/orgs/iwg/ March 6, 1996 Debbie Woodell The Philadelphia Daily News PO Box 7788 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Ms Woodell: Thank you for your excellent column March 5 about gays in the pulpit. While we have been heartened by some favorable television coverage of Bishop Righter's plight (notably on NightLine and the ABC Evening News) the press has been virtually silent about the general issue of gays in the clergy. Thank you also for pointing out that the United Church of Christ ordains gay men and women, for mentioning Howard Warren, and for calling Barry Stopfel "non- celibate" instead of a "practicing homosexual" or someone living the "homosexual lifestyle," whatever those things might be. We have enclosed a business card. If you need information on religious issues in the future, please give us a call. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators