Just 4 More Stops for Equality Ride

[kara speltz]

We're nearing the first training of our 2010 Equality Riders and I've noted that we've had an incredible increase in our active membership on the forums. I suspect many who have joined recently are friends of our young Equality Riders. So let me just say welcome to all of you and I hope you'll join us in our discussions here on the forums.

I'm excited about the upcoming ER and look forward to hearing the amazing stories that I know will come out of this.

God bless you Riders!

Kara

[kara speltz]

Things are getting really exciting as our Equality Riders take care of last minute details in order to leave on March 4th. Make sure you check the route on our home page to see how close the Riders will be coming to you. This is something you won't want to miss!

We'll continue to post information on how the Riders are doing.

Keep them in your prayers

Kara

[kara speltz]

Hey Forum Friends: Those of you on the East Coast will have an opportunity to welcome our Equality Riders on March 5 & 9th. They'll be in Phoenixville, Pa., just a 45 min drive from Philly on the 5th. And in Houghton, N.Y. an hour & a half drive southeast of Buffalo on the 9th.

Check out the route and if you want to help welcome them, email the contact person.

Kara

[kara speltz]

Thursday, March 4th the Equality Ride leaves Austin for its very first stop in Phoenixville, Penn., just a 45 min. drive from Philadelphia. I hope all of you in the area will welcome them. Kara

[kara speltz]

The Equality Ride left this morning on its way to the Philadelphia area. Hope all of you near Philly will be there to welcome them.

Kara

[kara speltz]

Just spoke with the folks on the bus and they arrived in Phonenixville last night. Please keep them in prayer.

A Prayer for the Equality Riders

Spirit of the living God, who longs to gather all God's children together, sustain our passion for welcoming and loving all people, especially those who are marginalized and excluded. We particularly ask you to be with our Equality Riders as they travel this land to bring the truth of love to those who would deny us.

We know you by many names and we acknowledge the reality that following your will, may at times, involve suffering and struggle. Give us strength and comfort us as we strive to do your will, remind us always that we are not alone or far from your care. Empower us to persist in your way of love, justice and peace. We pray this in your many names. Amen.

[kara speltz]

The Equality Ride has wrapped up its time in Phoenixville and is heading towards Houghton, N.Y. an hour & a half drive southeast of Buffalo. They'll be there on March 9th. Join them

Kara

[kara speltz]

The Equality Ride will be in Knoxville, Tn on March 11th. To find out more information about what will be happening there, check our Equality Ride Route to find out the details. Kara

[kara speltz]

March 15th, the Equality Ride will be in Huntsville, Al, just an hour and a half drive from Birmingham. Please join them on this exciting adventure.

[NathanATX]

I just found out that one of my church's young adults, Amanda Genaro, is an Equality Rider! https://www.soulforce.org/amanda_genaro

Very proud of her!

[kara speltz]

Kimmy, one of the riders, posted this beautiful reflection on her blog about the effects of the ride, that I wanted to share with everyone:

The students are like the water that flow over the falls. There is rapid and noticeable change. While we spent time in Houghton several students came out to us as LGBTQ while many others came out as allies. This is a massive and almost instant change. I remember after the Equality Ride came to my school in 2007 feeling like I was churning and swirling in my thoughts of what to do with all of the new thoughts and ideas planted by the Ride. Finally students will continue down the river and keep making changes along the way. I believe many of the students at Houghton will experience similar feelings. The school’s faculty and staff are more like the river bed because this will be a slower more gradual change. They heard from us and will continue hearing from the students long after we have left the school.

[kara speltz]

March 15th and 17th, the Equality Ride will be in Wake Forest and Winston Salem. Don't miss this opportunity to meet our courageous Equality Riders.

[Rick336]

March 15th and 17th, the Equality Ride will be in Wake Forest and Winston Salem. Don't miss this opportunity to meet our courageous Equality Riders.

Do you know where on campus they'll be or when?


Rick

[kara speltz]

Do you know where on campus they'll be or when?


Rick

To find out more information go to:

http://www.soulforce.org/equalityride

[Lenny]

Greetings,

I look forward to meeting you all tomorrow.

God's Blessings.

[kara speltz]

Heads up all you Floridians, the Equality Ride is heading your way. They'll be at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fl. on March 22nd. After that it's Morehouse College in Atlanta on the 25th. Don't miss this historic opportunity.

[kara speltz]

Heads up Atlantans! The Equality Ride is on it's way to Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Expected to arrive on March 25th you won't want to miss this exciting visit.

[kara speltz]

The Equality Ride will be making two stops in Mississippi in the next few days. First stop is Belhaven University, March 29 in Jackson, MS. Then back to Mississippi University in Clinton on March 31st. Come and meet these courageous young people changing hearts and minds.

Kara

[kara speltz]

Our Equality Riders return to Austin to celebrate Easter. Let us all join them in prayer for thier continued journey of changing hearts and minds one heart at a time.

Spirit of the living God, who longs to gather all God's children together, sustain our passion for welcoming and loving all people, especially those who are marginalized and excluded. We particularly ask you to be with our Equality Riders as the travel this land to bring the truth of love to those who would deny us.

We know you by many names and we acknowledge the reality that following your will, may at times, involve suffering and struggle. Give us strength and comfort us as we strive to do your will, remind us always that we are not alone or far from your care. Empower us to persist in your way of love, justice and peace. We pray this in your many names. Amen.

[Gennee]

Happy Easter to all.

Gennee

[kara speltz]

After a break in Austin, our Equality Riders will be at Baylor University in Waco on April 6th. Then on to Hardin Simmons University Apr 7-8 in Abilene and a return again, to Abilene Christian University on April 9th.

As our riders continue to travel this most amazing journey, we continue to keep them in prayer.

Spirit of the living God, who longs to gather all your children together as one family, strengthen our passion for welcoming and loving all people, especially those who are marginalized and excluded. We particularly ask you to be with our Equality Riders as they travel this land to bring the truth of your love to those who would deny us, our rights, our love, our very existence.

We acknowled you by many names and we also know the reality that following your will, may at times, involve suffering, tears and struggle. Give us strength and comfort us as we strive to do your will, remind us always that we are not alone or far from your care. Empower us to persist in your way of love, justice and peace. We pray this in your many names. Amen.

[RedneckDyke]

If you're in Waco be sure to check out the Dr Pepper Museum. It has a talkling robot pharmacy soda fountain guy. Also lots of memorbilia. And free samples. Fun for Pepper fans all over!!!!!!!!!

Also you can check out the Texas Ranger museum. Life size dioramas of Rangers in action. Also old weapons and uniforms and stuff from the War Between the States up to the present day.
Remind me to tell y'all the story about some of my ancestors being on the wrong side of the law opposite the Rangers.:lol:

[kara speltz]

If you're in Waco be sure to check out the Dr Pepper Museum. It has a talkling robot pharmacy soda fountain guy. Also lots of memorbilia. And free samples. Fun for Pepper fans all over!!!!!!!!!

Also you can check out the Texas Ranger museum. Life size dioramas of Rangers in action. Also old weapons and uniforms and stuff from the War Between the States up to the present day.
Remind me to tell y'all the story about some of my ancestors being on the wrong side of the law opposite the Rangers.:lol:

Thanks for the suggestions, but these rides are so tightly regulated according to a very, very busy agenda, there's never any "down" time for them. So just keep them in your prayers.

[Gennee]

Wow, a lot is happening. Are you just in training or will you be visiting any campuses? Baylor University and Abilene Christian are in the vicinity.

Gennee

[kara speltz]

Wow, a lot is happening. Are you just in training or will you be visiting any campuses? Baylor University and Abilene Christian are in the vicinity.

Gennee

They will be will be at Baylor University on April 6th. Then on to Hardin Simmons University Apr 7-8 in Abilene and a return again, to Abilene Christian University on April 9th. They are now more than half way through their trip. Check out the home page and read all about their amazing experience.

Kara

[criselkins]

Please go to this link and vote: http://bigcountryhomepage.com/

SoulForce is in Abilene, TX. They are taking a poll to see if Abilene Christian University (ACU) and Hardin Simmons (HSU) should welcome the riders.

Thanks!

[RedneckDyke]

Y'all should schedule in some down-time. Nobody can be "on" all the time.
These folks go all over the place and have to deal with all kinds of b.s. .
It would be good for them to have a couple of hours of doofus roadside attraction time or frisbee at the rest stop time.

[kara speltz]

It's hard to believe but the Equality Ride ends in another 10 days. Here's the the rest of their itinerary.

If you live anywhere near these places, do get out and meet these courageous Riders because you will be inspried by them, I guarantee!

4/14 Southwest Baptist Univ., Bolivar, MO
4/16 Bethal College., Mishawaka, IN
4/21 Union College, Lincoln, NE
4/23 Malone Univ., Canton, OH

[HELENz]

Malone University! W00t! Just thought I'd put that out there! I'm so excited for them to come! (=

[alphie]

god bless you all - I wish I could be at one of our stops - especially the one in Ohio