The Institute for Welcoming Resources

[BruceChris]

Last night, I went to an installation service. My friend and former pastor, Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, UCC, has been running the Institute For Welcoming resources. They do outreach to and co-ordination of organizations affiliated with mainstream denominations, that are gay welcoming and affirming. Like Dignity, Integrity, that sort of thing. See below.

www.welcomingresources.org and

www.welcomingresources.org/links.htm

http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2006/03/14/4

She was installed, formally, tonite, and the IWR is now the religious branch or affiliate of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

It was a very celebratory affair, held at the Minneapolis Lyndale United Church of Christ, which is currently home to the IWR. There were twenty-plus local gay and lesbian clergy people there, in all of their robes and finery. A couple of rabbi's. Her mother and father, both UCC ministers, and her partner, Maggie. The Rev. Ann B. Day, who is the outgoing head of the UCC Coalition for GLBT concerns, gave the sermon. There were a couple of leaders from the N.G.L.T.F. there, who said their piece. Hey, We Are On The Map! Minneapolis is Where It's At! (Said very pridefully, and absolutely shamelessly)

Peace, and Much Love, Bruce Chris