STILL Celebrating 20 Years of Blessing!

The dust is still settling from our celebrations marking the 20th Anniversary of the blessing of the Covenant of Mark Benson and Philip Straw -- but here, for a start, are some pictures that capture just SOME of the great moments of a truly extraordinary weekend:



With deep gratitude to all who made it all happen ... and especially in thanksgiving for the courage, the love and the persistence of Mark and Phil in calling All Saints Church to walk its talk and live into its prophetic calling to be a community of radical welcome, blessing and justice.

Just a peek ...

... at what a FABULOUS weekend we had at All Saints in Pasadena!

I've only got a minute this morning as we're off for a two day staff preaching retreat, but here are a few snaps to "whet your appetite" for more photos and reflection to come!


Bishops Robinson and Glasspool just before the Saturday "20 Years of Blessing" Eucharist.

Rector emeritus George Regas with Bishop Mary Glasspool


Bishop Robinson preaching on Sunday morning to a packed, riveted house.

[One great footnote: When +Gene checked his phone just after church, he had a text from from his assistant in New Hampshire saying "loved the sermon -- thanks to All Saints for streaming it!"]

Bishop Glasspool cracking up Ed Bacon in the Rector's Forum.

[Which everybody can see on the All Saints website and shouldn't miss!]

An Invitation from All Saints Church in Pasadena

Twenty years ago last week, Mark Benson and Philip Straw stood together on the chancel at All Saints Church in Pasadena and promised to love, honor and cherish each other until death did they part. A 1992 editorial in The Living Church wrote of the service : “Undoubtedly similar events have taken place in clandestine circumstances but this is the first known “public” blessing in a prominent parish.”

We mark the anniversary of that “first known public blessing” of a same-sex covenant today with a celebration of not only the Benson/Straw blessing but the ninety-three same-sex blessings held at All Saints since 1992 – along with the ripple effect of those blessings in both the church and civic arenas. George Regas will share his own journey from “I can’t do that” to leading the entire congregation on a year-long discernment process that led to the January 18, 1992 blessing and beyond as we look at the last 20 years together and we’ll see archive video of the service as others tell their own stories of being part of the bending the arc of history toward equality..

You are cordially invited to join us for all or part of today’s event as we’ll be live-streaming the program from 9-12noon and the Festival Eucharist from 4-5pm (Mary Glasspool, preaching; Gene Robinson, celebrating) here.

Workshops Set for Pasadena Blessing Conference

Plans are being finalized for the upcoming 20YEARS OF BLESSING weekend event at All Saints Church -- including this fabulous menu of workshops focused on mobilizing for our future as we work to build on our past. The workshops will be offered in two sessions:

Session One: 1:00-2:15 Session Two: 2:30-3:45

Advocacy within the Episcopal Church: What’s next at the National Church level on LGBT inclusion? Get the inside scoop on the ongoing movement toward full inclusion in the Episcopal Church from General Convention Deputy and All Saints leader, Jim White

Activism in the secular arena: Contributions to marriage equality and LGBT rights come from many arenas – secular, faith and grassroots efforts. Come to hear stories about progress from many places. Dr. Paul Clement & Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas will present.

Keeping Kids Safe from Bullying: Resourcing participants to create bully-free zones, this workshop will include a screening of Bill Brummel’s brilliant documentary “Bullied” followed by a facilitated conversation with All Saints youth staffers Jeremy Langill and Isaac Ruelas

A la familia: The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has developed a groundbreaking new curriculum designed to address issues of LGBT inclusion in Latino contexts. Abel Lopez will lead a “test drive” of this exciting new resource.

“But the Bible Says …” The "Christian right" is back (in disguise) and even more committed to denying the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans. The gains we have made are easily lost unless we understand and confront their campaign of fear and loathing based on scientific ignorance and biblical misuse. Mel White will show us how!

Strategic Storytelling: This workshop will is designed to equip LGBT activists and straight allies to tell their stories to effectively change hearts, minds and votes. Led by Integrity Communication Director and media consultant Louise Brooks.

Making Marriage Work For all the pleasures and gratifications of marriage, for most of us it is also a constant challenge to stay close, to feel safe and to create a future that is satisfying for both of us. This workshop is designed to help us make our way together, whether gay or straight, long-term couples or newly-weds. Led by Pasadena therapists Diane Lee and Rick Thyne

For more information contact Linn Vaughan at 626.583.2744. To register click here.

Tonight's the Night!

"Love Free or Die" ... Macky Alston's long awaited feature-length documentary on the work and witness of Bishop Gene Robinson ... premieres tonight at the Sundance Film Festival.

It has been my high honor to watch from offstage (mostly) as this work has progressed. From +Gene's consecration in November 2006 [where I was in the press box] to the blessing of Mark & Gene's civil union in June 2008 [where I was in the pulpit] to England and Lambeth Conference in July 2008 [where I was in the congregation when a heckler distrupted the service and reminded us all how risky a business this stepping out for the Gospel can be.]

Here's the segment that aired about the film on PBS in Utah this weekend (which includes the heckling incident from St. Mary's, Putney):



The Hollywood Reporter review is just in and it calls the film "Illuminating" and Engrossing" ... and I cannot WAIT to see it!

More to come on this one, I'm sure ...

Bipartisanship We Can Believe In!

h/t Margaret and Helen

Three Cheers for HOME DEPOT!

Of course I subscribe to email lists from folks from "the other side of the aisle" to keep an eye on what they're up to ... including the so-called "American Family Association" -- who have over the last few weeks had quite the full-court-press campagin out to pressure the Home Depot folks into ending support for LGBT equality.

So I was delighted to open my email from the AFA today to find this statement they received from the Home Depot:

"We have never changed our commitment to diversity and inclusion of all people, and we have no intention of doing so. Nor have we changed our apron policy or the guidelines for our charitable giving."

So Score One for Equality and "Bravo!" Home Depot!

And ... since no good deed goes unpunished by those determined to keep LGBT Americans second class citizens ... here's how the AFA is calling their folks to action:

TAKE ACTION
1. Pray for Home Depot Chairman Frank Blake to make wise decisions regarding his company's direction.
2. If you have not done so, sign the Boycott Pledge at www.BoycottTheHomeDepot.com.
3. Call your local Home Depot store and ask to speak to the manager. You can find the number to your local store here (click "Store Finder" at top of page) or in your local phone book.
4. Print the paper petition and distribute it at Sunday school and church.

So what we need to do it "go and do 'the opposite.'"

TAKE ACTION
1. Actually, on this one we can "go and do likewise" ... just add to our prayers "continue to make wise decisions regarding his comany's direction and give thanks for the witness to equality Home Depot makes in the public sector."
2. I'm not a fan of pledges, but if somebody wants to start a "Buycott" Pledge to support Home Depot then I'm in.
3 . Call your local Home Depot store and ask to speak to the manager. You can find the number to your local store here (click "Store Finder" at top of page) or in your local phone book. Thank him/her for the company's continued commitment to equality.
4. Don't print it out ... but DO check it out ... if only as a reminder of how far the homophobic fringe will go to continue to trample on the rights of LGBT families in this country.

OK??? Got it? Ready ... Set ... GO!!!