Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 23:38:18 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Philadelphia Inquirer PCUSA/UMC letter November 12, 1999 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Dear Editors: Thank you for the excellent November 6 article about the Presbytery of West Jersey's support of Graham Van Keuren. We are amazed that a majority of the members within so many Christian denominations still think that passing and enforcing rules can make the issues associated with sexual orientation and gender identity go away. But we are also happy to note that a number of organizations and individuals within those denominations are refusing to comply. While the reporter was able to place the story in the larger context, he failed to mention that a huge event in this ongoing interfaith struggle for justice will take place November 16 and 17 in Grand Island, Nebraska. People from all over the country, including a contingent from Soulforce, will gather to witness and protest the United Methodist trial of the Rev. Jimmy Creech, and to continue to attest to the fact that neither the issues, nor the people, are going to disappear. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and religious organizations and 63 clergy from 16 religious traditions. The Interfaith Working Group (IWG) is an all-volunteer Pennsylvania Corporation with a budget under $5,000, operating under an advance ruling period of 501(c)(3) status (Foundation Status Classification 509(a) (1) &170(b) (1) (A) (vi)) granted April 29, 1998, which began on December 20, 1996 and ends December 31, 2000. All contributions to the Interfaith Working Group are tax-deductible as provided in section 170 of the IRS code. -- Interfaith Working Group http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829