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==   Messages below were posted when Brad was Convener of Integrity   ==
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5/26/04

Greetings!

Integrity Alabama has planned a "street" Eucharist prior to the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 12, at 7:00 pm.  Integrity will have a presence in the parade and the Eucharist will take place at Integrity's spot in the parade lineup.  The lineup begins at the Chevron Station on Highland Avenue.

Please plan on being a part of this important new tradition, and join clergy and laity from around the Diocese in welcoming our community into our Church.

Look forward to seeing you all at Pride!

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March  16, 2004

Greetings!

I hope this finds you all well.

We are wrapping up preparations for our upcoming weekend together at Camp McDowell.  Our diocese is extremely privileged to be welcoming the Rev. Ed Bacon, native Mississippian and current rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Pasadena, California.  Ed is a national leader in the inclusuin/justice movement and a world renowned speaker on Liberation theology. 

I hope you all have made plans to be at camp for any or all of this weekend as this is a rare opportunity for us in Alabama to view our Church from this perspective. 

If you are interested in joining us, and have not yet mailed in a registration form, please email today and let me know you are planning on being with us this weekend.  Do NOT let money prevent you from joining us.  If you have financial needs, please contact David Gary <davidgary1@aol.com> or 205-667-6623.

I hope you all will take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to refocus on Christ and our role in His Church.

Blessings to you all,

===================

March 8, 2004
Greetings,
I am sending you a piece which I could not have written better myself presenting +Neil Alexander's book, This Far by Grace: A Bishop's Journey through Questions about Homosexuality, If you've not read the Bishop's book, I highly commend it you.
Blessings,
Brad
_________________________________________-

Subject: A voice singing in the wilderness
>
> Dear friends in Christ,
>
> I'm writing to recommend a short, eloquent, loving book that expresses much
> of who we Episcopalians are and how we live. It is also a personal witness
> to one person's journey from the homophobia/racism/sexism of his childhood
> to his current understanding of how and why our church welcomes homosexuals,
> why and how our church interprets Scripture, why and how we come to the
> altar each Sunday. He is the Bishop of Atlanta, a liturgical scholar and
> teacher, and a man of integrity who is willing to be frank about who he has
> been, what kind of Christian he now is, and his love and hopes for the
> Episcopal Church. It will be a good resource for helping others think about
> their life in Christ during these days. (No, Neil hasn't paid me--he knows
> nothing about this e-mail.)
>
> The book is "This Far by Grace: A Bishop's Journey through Questions about
> Homosexuality," by J. Neil Alexander, published by Cowley Publications,
> 2003. It's a quick, 85-page read--accessible, clear, and to my reading,
> expressive of the transforming love of the risen Christ. It truly lifted
my
> heart to read it. May it also lift yours.
>
> As a sample, I offer the last sentences from his introduction to the book:
>
>
> " . . . It was not until I became an Episcopalian that I began to catch on
> to some very important things that have been transformative in my own life
> in Christ. I used to believe that the important thing is what I believed
> about God. I have discovered that the really important thing is what God
> believes about me. I used to believe that the purpose of being a Christian
> was to learn to live a good and righteous life. I now believe that I am good
> and righteous not of my own doing but as a gift of grace of faith in Jesus
> Christ. I used to believe that if I said my prayers and lived an obedient
> life, when I died I would inherit eternal life. Now I believe that eternal
> life begins at the font and goes on forever. My experience of God has
> shifted from fear to love, from conditional to unconditional, from judgment
> to mercy. I used to believe that being a Christian was about me. That's
> idolatry. I've discovered, thanks to the witness of the Episcopal Church,
> that being a Christian is about God. That's grace. And every last one of
> those conversions, and many, many more, has taken place as I have stood
> before the altar of God, alongside all manner of people that *God has
> chosen* to be my friends."
>
> May God's love be your manna,
>
> Claire Keene

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A Message from Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Frank Griswold 
In Response to President Bush's endorsement of Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA)

The Episcopal Church and other faith communities, as well as the larger
society in which we find ourselves, are presently engaged in conversations
and debates about issues of human sexuality, and more particularly
homosexuality and the public recognition of committed relationships between
members of the same sex.  The Episcopal Church is on record as being
committed to continuing discussion and discernment around these questions,
about which we do not have a common mind, and to equal protection under the
law and full civil rights for homosexual persons.

I am concerned about the advisability of a constitutional amendment being
put forth for discussion at this time. Questions of sexuality are far from
settled, and a constitutional amendment which was perceived as settling this
matter might make it more difficult to engage in civil discourse around this
topic.

Further, sexuality is personal, and therefore engages us at an emotional
level where the language used can inflame rather than inform. For example,
some who do support the legal and civil rights of same-sex couples are
disturbed at the use of the term marriage to describe such unions, believing
that this term should be used only in reference to the commitment between a
man and a woman.  Others believe that a term less than marriage is a
diminishment of such relationships.

As I support the honoring of differing perspectives within the Episcopal
Church, equally, it is my strong hope that our national discourse during
this political season will promote thoughtful and respectful conversation.
The fullness of truth seldom resides in one point of view and therefore we
need to hold ourselves open to the possibility that our own perspectives
will be enlarged by those of others with whom we may disagree.  It is my
prayer that we will find the way forward that respects the best of our civil
and religious traditions.

During these debates, both within the church and civil society, I would urge
us to remember that we are conversing about an issue that affects the lives
of honorable men and women who should be recognized in the dignity of their
personhood and not simply discussed as abstractions.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA

February 27, 2004

=============

February 25, 2004

Response to President Bush's call for a Constitutional Amendment

The constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage called for by President Bush is clear and unabashed discrimination against gays and lesbians and their families. It will do nothing to defend the institution of marriage and everything to deny equal rights under the law to a segment of the population. We agree with President Bush that "On a matter of such importance, the voice of the people must be heard" and we intend to make our voice of opposition heard loud and clear

We wholeheartedly disagree with the argument that extending equal access to the constitutional protections afforded heterosexual couples by civil marriage to same gender couples will undermine families. To the contrary, our lived experience in the Episcopal Church is that the blessing of gay and lesbians unions has been a blessing not only to the couple but to the community - strengthening straight marriages by their example and witness

Equal protection is guaranteed by the Constitution as a civil right for all Americans - not just a chosen percentage. We believe that this effort to write bias into the Constitution is inherently unconstitutional. As Episcopal clergy stood in solidarity with the Freedom Riders who challenged segregation in the 60's, we stand in solidarity with those in San Francisco who today challenge discrimination against gay and lesbian families. We follow in the footsteps of those who spoke in opposition to segregationist leaders when they railed against the courts implementing integration in public schools as we speak in opposition to George Bush and his expressed intention to amend the Constitution to institutionalize the marginalization of gay and lesbian Americans.

We stand opposed to efforts to offer gay and lesbian families as sacrificial lambs on the altar of presidential politics. We stand committed to this great nation and to working together to realize the dream of a place where "liberty and justice for all" really means all. We stand convinced that the American dream will be closer to being realized when gay and lesbian families are afforded the equal protection to which all families are entitled under the Constitution.

The Claiming the Blessing Steering Committee:

The Reverend Susan Russell
The Reverend Michael Hopkins
The Reverend Elizabeth Kaeton
The Reverend J. Edwin Bacon
Mr. John Simonelli
The Reverend Rosa Lee Harden
Ms. Peggy Adams
The Reverend John Kirkley
Mr. James B. White
The Very Reverend Cynthia Black
Dr. Louie Crew
Ms. Katie Sherrod
The Reverend Jason Samuel

Integrity USA, Board of Directors

The Rev. Susan Russell
The Rev. Michael Hopkins
The Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton
Ms. Dylan Breuer
Mr. Frank Dowd
Mr. Brad LaMonte
The Rev. David Tarbet
Mr. Bruce Mason
Mr. Neil Houghton
Ms. Pam Stephens

=======================

January 21, 2004

Greetings,

I pray this finds you all well.  We are off and running in the new year and things are already twirling and whirling!  We have had the most wonderful Saint Aelred's Day celebration to date, and such sentiments have been shared with me by parishioners of Saint Andrew's and Grace alike.  What a blessed time is upon us!

I hope you all were able to be a part of that thrilling and nourishing experience at Grace Church last Saturday night.  If you missed the event, David Gary and Jim Creasy are working on getting photographs and stories from the evening on our website.  Be sure to check our site regularly as they both have been working hard this past year in making our site a real testimony of our ministry and witness.

The Diocese of Alabama's Convention is rapidly approaching on February 5-7 in Montgomery. I pray you all will make an effort to be a part of Integrity's witness there and especially to experience the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry's message as the keynote speaker of the Convention.  He will be the homilist at Thursday night's Eucharist and his keynote speech will be on Friday.  He is perhaps the most prophetic preacher in our Church today and I highly encourage you to make that event a priority.  We also need all of our members present at Convention this year as a testimony to our commitment to the Church.

We will have our first chapter meeting of the year on Sunday, February 22, 5:00 at St. Joseph's House (St. Andrew's Church).  We will be discussing our Convention and making plans for the coming year.  I hope you all will be a part of this meeting as we need everyone's voice.

Blessings to you all,
Brad
============

December 14, 2003

"As The renewed debate over equal marriage rights has shown, at the root of all opposition to gay and lesbian rights lies religious conviction.  In 2003 one gay man stood resolutely at the center of the contentious battle to shift religion away from hatred and exclusion and toward love and equality.  V. Gene Robinson - elected bishop in June by the Episcopalians of New Hampshire, confirmed at the church's national convention in August, and consecrated November 2 - has handled the resulting anger from conservative Christians with poise and eloquence.  For his grace under the pressure of a worldwide debate and for his steadfast focus on his mission to open God's church to all people on the margins, Bishop Robinson is The Advocate's Person of the Year."


Folks,

Above is the opening paragraph to The Advocate's article on their selection of +Gene Robinson as their "Person of the Year."  If you have not already purchased this issue of The Advocate, please do so; this is the moment to celebrate our church being recognized and embraced by mainstream GLBT establishment.  You will want to have this issue for your records.

Blessings to you all,
Brad

=======

November 28, 2003
Greetings!

I pray this finds you all having celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with friends and loved ones.

There are a few business items I wanted to share with you all: There will be no regularly scheduled Integrity Alabama chapter meetings in December or January as we have other events planned which I hope you all will make priority in your schedules. 

On December 6, Integrity will be present at the annual St. Nicholas Bazaar at Grace Church, Woodlawn, where Frank Romanowicz has graciously offered his time and talent to prepare a booth display to help support the ECW at Grace Church and to raise money for our Integrity chapter.  Please take time to go by and visit Frank on December 6th from 9am-3pm.  Grace is located 5712 First Avenue North in the Woodlawn section of Birmingham.  It is easily accessible from I-20 East at the First Avenue North exit.

On Sunday, December 14, Jim Creasy will host the annual Advent/Christmas House Eucharist at the home of Donica Creasy and her husband Lee Calton.  Please contact Jim if you have not received the additional details about that event, and please do make your best effort to be present on this special night of fellowship and worship.

On January 17, 2004, we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Aelred, this year at GRACE CHURCH, WOODLAWN, as St. Andrew's will be undergoing renovation/restoration of their sanctuary.  The Eucharist will be at 6:30 pm, and Grace Church is at 5712 First Avenue North. For further details or to volunteer to help with the Integrity-hosted banquet following the Eucharist, please contact David Gary at 205-595-3159 or 205-667-6623.  It would be most helpful to have all volunteers lined up before Christmas so as David can ! relax and enjoy the holidays without having to fret over whether he'll have enough help or not.  If you don't volunteer, he'll be calling you!  Also, if you would like to participate in any part of the Eucharist, we will need acolytes, readers, ushers, choir members, etc.  I would prefer to use all Integrity members in those positions, so let me know now if you are interested.

February 5-7, 2004, is our Diocesan Convention which will be held in Montgomery this year.  Integrity will host a booth and we will need volunteers to help.  People are needed to be present to talk about the ministry and mission of Integrity Alabama especially this year on the heels of all the advancements achieved at General Convention.  Many Alabama Episcopalians have now heard about Integrity for the first time and this is our chance to fully inform them about our purpose and our presence.  Please contact me at the above email address or call me: 205-322-0540 if you are willing to volunteer.  You will need to make hotel reservations ASAP as the host hotel, Embassy Suits, is nearly full.

Please share this information with all of your contacts.  Integrity needs to seize this opportunity of achievement by sharing our good news and our community with everyone.  You are welcome to forward this email or to create your own; but please do share these events and dates with everyone.  There are thousands of people out there searching for a community like ours and we need them NOW more than ever.

Blessings to you all,
Brad

========================

Nov. 11. 2003
Greetings,

I am just in from San Diego and my first Integrity USA national board meeting.  If you have already received this joyous email, please excuse the duplication.  If not, enjoy. 

As part of the weekend in California, Integrity San Diego and Integrity of the Desert, hosted a conference, "Where do we go from here?"  It was a significant event and I will share more details with you in the coming weeks. 

There is much to celebrate in these trying times.  At our weekend board meeting, the Integrity USA board voted to celebrate Integrity's 30th year next fall in Atlanta with a festival weekend of events and worship.  I will be in touch with the details as they become available, but I pray you ALL will do all in your power to be present to support Integrity USA and to experience the magnificent power of a national Integrity liturgical event.

Blessings to you all,
Brad

============
Nov. 6, 2003
Greetings!

We have just returned from an amazing experience in New Hampshire where we attended the consecration of the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson. There are no words to adequately describe what it was like being in that arena last Sunday evening. The energy was overwhelming. People were there because they wanted to express their full love and inclusion of Gene and all GLBT Episcopalians in the life of our Church. Any negative aspects, which were disproportionately reported by the secular media, were enormously overpowered by the LOVE of all 4000+ people in attendance. I wish each of you had been able to experience our Church in that context.'

I hope you all have received your new VOICE OF INTEGRITY. If not, please email me and let me know. When you get your issue, I commend you read it carefully as there are important 'sound bites' for you to add to your dialogues within your parishes and in your evangelism efforts within our community. These are abundant times for us; I hope you all will use these changes within our national church to strengthen our community. We have the ability to influence the Diocese of Alabama with an influx of new GLBT and GLBT supporting members. Keep this dialogue positive, because despite the best efforts of the conservative establishment in our diocese, the Church has changed, and Alabama will be forced to eventually follow. When that change happens could be deponent on us. 

This fall's VOICE OF INTEGRITY has wonderful messages from our new President, Susan Russell+. Absorb this information and use it in dialoguing with clergy in your parishes and most especially when discussing our Church with the non-churched in our community.

Blessings to you all, 
Brad