1. New Products: Wonderful Music!
2. Chi Rho Greeting Cards
3. Have you read "I'm Still Dancing!," "Families Re-Membered," and "To Celebrate and to Mourn"?
4. Link of the Month: E-mail Pope Benedict XVI
5. "Christian with a Twist"
6. Sanctoral Cycle
7. Adam's Last Word

--------------------------------------------------

This issue's Quotes:

"It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action.
Such treatment deserves condemnation from the church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action, and in law. But the proper reaction to crimes committed against homosexual persons should not be to claim that the homosexual condition is not disordered. When such a claim is made and when homosexual activity is consequently condoned, or when civil legislation is introduced to protect behavior to which no one has any conceivable right, neither the church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground, and irrational and violent reactions increase."
   

The new Pope Benedict XVI, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

"Christians in the United States (especially we who are Anglo and others who have acquired some access to economic or social power) often fail to see that our fundamental identity is not as individuals with 'rights' but as members of One Body, interdependent and mutually responsible for one another. This is not simply a spiritual truth. It is literally true that as long as anyone is a slave, in bondage, cast out, marginalized, trivialized, we are all of us diminished, broken people."
   

Carter Heyward, in "Speaking of Christ," p. 50

*****
Welcome once again to the Chi Rho Connection, the electronic newsletter of Chi Rho Press.

To join our list and automatically receive these newsletters by e-mail, send an e-mail message to
ChiRhoPress-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Direct all other e-mail to Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.

*****

--------------------------------------------------

1. New Products: Wonderful Music!

There are three new music offerings on the Web site:

"I am Not Ashamed," by David North and the Gospel Celebration. CD for $15.00 each, cassette tape for $10.00 each.

All songs on this excellent album were written by the Rev. David K. North, now pastor of Holy Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church, College Park, Maryland, USA, except "I am Not Ashamed," which was written by Virgil Night and David North.

Gospel Celebration includes David North, piano and lead vocals; Janina Sajka, keyboard; Jeanie Broderick, drums and percussion; Virgil Night, bass guitar and vocals; Scott Breivold, tenor; Shirley L. Clay, alto; Freida Rink-Walton, soprano; and Myriam Valle, soprano. Additional instrumental soloists for selected songs include Myriam Valle on acoustic guitar, Dave Hanbury on lead guitar, Al Williams on saxophone, and Dennis Thompson on bagpipes.

Songs on this album include "Whosoever Will," "A Little Bit of Faith," "Beloved," "He Was Wounded," "Be Encouraged,"
"No, I'll Never Turn Back," "Power of Prayer," "Justified,"
"I'm Covered," "My Prayer," and "I'm Not Ashamed."

David North and the Gospel Celebration use this as their mission statement:

"We are committed to extending the celebration of joy in God's Word and the inclusive healing power of God's Love to all communities through our music.

"It is our hope that whoever may share in this outpouring of praise will take something away that will uplift and enrich their life.

"We ask your prayers for our steadfastness to this goal; that nothing keep us from the course of this ministry."

Read about and order this album on the Chi Rho Press Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/AudioRevNotAshamed.htm

Also on the Web site is "Jesus is Lord of All," by Witness.
Cassette tape, Special low price of $5.00.

Witness was a vibrant LGBT Christian music group that had it's roots in the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC. Included on this tape are David Carlin King, guitar; Tom Hall, piano and vocals; Dale Jarrett, bass and vocals; Jeanie Broderick, percussion.

The Tape includes "I Need Jesus," "Jesus is Lord of All,"
"Cling to the Cross," "I'm One of the King's Kids,"
"Trinity," "Ida's Song," "What Will You Have Me Do," "Right Now," "I Am Willing," and "Ten Thousand Years." All of the selections are original songs by Dale Jarrett and Virgil Night, except "Ten Thousand Years," a hymn standard.

Read about and order this album on the Chi Rho Press Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/AudioRevLordOfAll.htm
 

Return to table of contents

--------------------------------------------------

2. Chi Rho Greeting Cards

Chi Rho Cards: A line of Gay and Lesbian greeting cards from Chi Rho Press.

Take a look at the cards and read about and order them on the Chi Rho Press Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/cards.html

We are bringing back our line of greeting cards, originally made available in 1993. With original artwork by talented New York artist Timothy Leetch, Chi Rho Cards are designed by and for the Lesbian and Gay community. Chi Rho Cards are printed on 100% recycled paper and are affordably priced, selling single cards (for $1.49 each), in packs of five of one design (for $6.95), packs of ten of one design (for $12.95), and in a sample pack of two of each of the eight cards (for $16.95).

Women's Relationship Card. A religiously-themed card for a Lesbian couple, suitable for Holy Unions, Anniversaries, legal marriages, or just to celebrate their relationship.
On the cover, a dove of peace holding entwined female symbols is superimposed over the cross. Inside: "God's Blessings on Your Relationship."

Men's Relationship Card. A religiously-themed card for your favorite Gay male couple, suitable for Holy Unions, Anniversaries, legal marriages, or just to celebrate their relationship. On the cover, two men stand hand in hand in a grand cathedral. Inside: "God's Blessings on Your Relationship."

Lesbians' Anniversary Card. Two women, very much in love, silhouetted on a seashore, make this a striking card for a Lesbian couple's anniversary. Inside: "Happy Anniversary!"

Gay Men's Anniversary Card. An intimate scene of a Gay male couple's bathroom decorates our card to celebrate your favorite Gay couple's anniversary. "His and His"
towels are next to a steamed up mirror on which is written, "I luv U" in a heart. Inside: "Happy Anniversary!"

All Purpose Anniversary Card. Our all purpose anniversary card is ideal to celebrate anniversaries of relationships, employment, sobriety, or any other special occasion. On the cover, festive cards pinned to spell out "Happy Anniversary." Inside: blank so you may write your own specific message.

Get Well Card. Send our little bear to cheer up a friend who is ill, and speed their recovery. On the cover, little Aloysius the Teddy Bear in his sick bed. Inside: "I Can't Bear That You Are Ill. Get Well Soon."

Sympathy Card. An empty chair poignantly calls to mind the loss of a loved one, through death or divorce.
Inside: "Grieving With You at Your Loss. You are in my Prayers."

Thank You Card. Our leaping figure celebrates all that we have to be thankful for. Express your gratitude with this joyous card. Inside: blank, write your own specific message.

All Chi Rho Cards measure 4-1/4" wide by 5-1/2" high and come with plain white envelopes. Our packaging isn't fancy, to save you money.

Order your selection of Chi Rho Cards now! Single cards are $1.49 each, packs of five of one design are $6.95, packs of ten of one design are $12.95, and a sample pack of two of each of the eight cards is $16.95; plus shipping and handling.

Find them at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/cards.html
 

Return to table of contents

--------------------------------------------------

3. Have you read "I'm Still Dancing!," "Families Re-Membered," and "To Celebrate and to Mourn"?

HIV/AIDS is still an important issue in our community and in this issue we are featuring three important, small books on the HIV health crisis.

"Families Re-Membered: Pastoral Support for Friends and Families Living with HIV/AIDS," by the Rev. Louis F.
Kavar, Ph.D. HIV/AIDS causes families to be re-structured, enlarged and changed or "re-membered." This book explores the dynamics of family systems and the realities of extended families of choice in the context of HIV/AIDS.
$10.95 each, six or more copies for $8.25 each, plus shipping and handling.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevFamiliesRemembered.htm

"To Celebrate and to Mourn: Liturgical Resources for Worshiping Communities Living with AIDS," by the Rev.
Louis F. Kavar, Ph.D. "As people who continue to live in the midst of AIDS, one of our greatest resources is that of the community of faith." Dr. Kavar discusses liturgical symbols that have special meaning in the AIDS crisis for churches, and provides parts of liturgies for various HIV/AIDS-related worship experiences. $3.95 each, six or more copies for $2.95 each, plus shipping and handling.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevToCelebrateAndToMourn.htm

"I'm Still Dancing! A Gay Man's Health Experience," by the Rev. A. Stephen Pieters. A powerful book by a long-term survivor of AIDS: articles, sermons and journal entries chronicle life with AIDS. Sick since 1982 and diagnosed with AIDS in 1984, Steve's cancers have gone into complete remission and he remains well to this day. He served for many years as Field Director of the UFMCC's AIDS Ministry.
$8.95 each, six or more copies for $6.75 each, plus shipping and handling.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevImStillDancing.htm
 

Return to table of contents

--------------------------------------------------

4. Link of the Month: Pope Benedict XVI

Want to send the pope an e-mail? Here's His Holiness' new address.

In English: benedictxvi@vatican.va

In Italian: benedettoxvi@vatican.va

 

Return to table of contents

--------------------------------------------------

5. "Christian with a Twist"

Here is a selection from our second major book of reflections, "Christian with a Twist: Reflections on Scripture that are a bit more inclusive, a bit more relevant, and with a bit of a bite," by the late William Gaston.

"Christian with a Twist" is available for $19.95 each,
$14.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling. You can read more about it and order it at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm

As the subtitle suggests, Bill's writing has a bit of a bite, and we believe you will enjoy his sharp, but loving take on Scripture, life, and faith.

Here is a selection entitled "The Empty, Empty Tomb" from the Easter section of "Christian with a Twist."

Please read Luke 24:1-7

Perplexed. I relate to these women. What happened to Jesus' body has always perplexed me. I have no problem understanding that Jesus died on the cross. God knows humankind is capable of such a thing, we are sometimes most cruel to the best among us. If scriptures and sermons were not enough, theater productions like that of Godspell which was performed at our church recently, reflect the harsh reality of our rejection of truth and love.

I have no problem knowing that Jesus rose from the dead.
I have seen the dead bodies of loved ones. I know the spirit, the soul, the person we love is released from the body and continues to live. I do not understand how, but I can leave that mystery to God.

I understand that Jesus comes back to us. He has entered my life, and I know the profound way his living presence affects others. I have seen him in the lives of people special to me and even strangers, and if one day God intends to bring him back to us in another way, that I can also count as one of life's mysteries.

But the body. What would have happened to the body? The words of the two men in dazzling clothes give me comfort.
We may understandably search for the living among the dead, but really we find them among the living. It is among the living that we find Jesus. It is even among the living and the continuing life forces of God's Creation that we find our own loved ones who have passed on.

But the body. A body with no person living in it is empty.
A harsh but beautiful remnant of a life remembered, but oh, so cold, still, and empty. Perhaps the women who loved him so could not have faced the sight of that emptiness. I do not know. Still, there are mysteries that leave us perplexed.

http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevChristianWithATwist.htm
 

Return to table of contents

--------------------------------------------------

6. Sanctoral Cycle

As a regular feature in the Chi Rho Connection, we are offering up traditional saints listed in the 2005 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary from today until our next scheduled electronic newsletter.

*****

Sat., Apr. 30, St. Catherine of Siena (Patron saint: fire prevention). The business of the church: St. Catherine willingly sacrificed the delights of contemplation to work for the church and the Apostolic See. How deeply do the troubles of the church, and their inevitable effects on individual members, weigh on our minds? How often do we pray for our church leaders and their loved ones?

Sun., May 1, St. Peregrine Laziosi (Patron saint: cancer and AIDS patients). Works of wonder: The lesson of St.
Peregrine's life is not that God worked a miracle, but that a faithful, trustful servant placed himself unconditionally in the hands of God. Peregrine's trust in God can be a model for us in dealing with the pain, sickness, and the crosses of our lives.

Diversity Dates. May is Older Americans Month and May is Asian Pacific Islanders Month

Mon., May 2, St. Athanasius. Standing up for your faith:
Christian faith is far more precious than all of the riches and treasures of earth, more glorious and greater than all its honors, all its possessions. This is what saves sinners, gives light to the blind, restores penitents, perfects the righteous, and is the crown of martyrs. "God has promised to be like a wall of fire round those who rightly believe in God," St. Athanasius.

Tues., May 3, St. Catherine of Bologna. Worshipful sprit:
We are endowed with many noble powers and can feel the keen joy in exercising them; but the best joy comes from concentrating all of our powers of mind and heart in the humblest worship before God. "Consciousness of my nothingness is a very great force. It has unbarred all the gates of my soul, and gives entrance to the One who is infinite," St. Catherine of Bologna.

Wed., May 4, St. Anne (Patron saint: Christian mothers).
Response to divine calls: St. Anne, Mary's mother, is glorious among the saints not because God chose her to be Mary's mother but because she gave Mary to God. Learn from her to reverence divine vocation as the highest privilege and to sacrifice every natural tie, however holy, at the call of God.

Thurs., May 5, Ascension Day.

Diversity Date. May 5 is Cinco de Mayo: Mexico

Fri., May 6, St. Joseph Calasanctius. Teaching the children:
The Cure of Ars used to say that, "I often think that most Christians who are lost are lost for want of instruction, they do not know their religion properly." People are better instructed in the truths of the faith by learning from the examples we set than by all of the church's teaching.

Sat., May 7, St. Stanislaus of Cracow. Denouncing sin: The best correction as well as the safest of vice is a blameless life, yet there are times when silence would make us answerable for the sins of others. At such times we have, in God's name, to rebuke the offender without fear.

Sun., May 8, Sts. Peter and Dionysia. Patience in suffering:
The martyrs were like us, and equally with us shrank from suffering. They were unmoved under it because they looked to eternal reward, made strong by seeing God who is invisible.
"Be patient, then brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. . . . As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered" (James 5:7, 11).

Mon., May 9, St. Pachomius. Humility: "To live in great simplicity," said St. Pachomius, "and in a wise ignorance, is exceedingly wise." And most people "look for miracles as a sign of holiness but I prefer a solid, heartfelt humility to raising the dead."

Tues., May 10, St. Antonino. Alms giving: St. Antonino never refused an alms asked in God's name. When he did not have money, he gave his clothes or shoes or even his furniture. The giving of alms includes every kind of service rendered to a neighbor who needs such assistance.
No one is so poor that they can not give something to some one, even unto the richest people, for they have needs too.

Wed., May 11, St. James the Less. Purity and simplicity:
St. James is remembered for the two major aspects of
Christianity: faith and works, one is holy aspiration and the other purity of heart. "Come near to God and God will come near to you" (James 4:8).

Thurs., May 12, St. Agatha (Patron saint: breast diseases, nurses). Choosing friends: Purity is a gift from God: we can gain it and keep it only by the most watchful care by avoiding anything and anyone that may prove an encouragement to failure. "Make your friends among people who are good and well-behaved, remember the words whose use was consecrated by the Apostle, 'bad companionship is the ruin of good morals,'"
Tertullian.

Fri., May 13, St. Anthony. Less is more: St. Anthony is considered the father of Christian monasticism exercising strict rules and character. He was the epitome of the less is more concept.

Diversity Date. Commemoration: Our Lady of Fatima Day
(Portugal)

Sat., May 14, St. Boniface of Tarsus. Devotion to the saints:
Very little is known of St. Boniface but the legend should teach us to turn evil into good, make our very sins a motive for moving ourselves with greater fervor to the intercession of God's saints. "Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Revelations 5:8).

Sun., May 15, Pentecost

*****

Order the 2004-2005 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary, complete with the entire year's Sanctoral Cycle, at this link:
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/BookRevLiturgicalCa04_05.html
 

Return to table of contents

--------------------------------------------------

7. Adam's Last Word

*****

Well, we have been busy, adding two new Christian music albums to our Web site, "I Am Not Ashamed" tape and CD by David North and the Gospel Celebration, and "Jesus is Lord of All" tape by Witness. There is some wonderful music here and I encourage you to order both of these albums. See the description of the albums in article 1 of this edition of the Chi Rho Connection and on our Web site at:
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/AudioRevNotAshamed.htm
and
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/product_details/AudioRevLordOfAll.htm

*****

Chi Rho Cards are back! After a few years hiatus, we have
brought back our line of greeting cards, by the talented New
York artist Timothy Leetch. See the descriptions of the cards
in article 2 above and on our Web site at:
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/cards.html

Order some cards today!

*****

Do check out the two new titles added to our Remainder
Table.
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/remainders.html

*****

We are still looking for authors to contribute essays for our series in the Chi Rho Connection in which people tell the story of their faith journeys. You do not have to tell everything about your faith journey, of course, just a piece of it!

Won't you contribute to this series? We are waiting for YOUR journey of faith.

If you would like to contribute the story of your faith journey for inclusion in "The Journey is Our Home," please try to limit your story to 500 words. Write us at Connection@ChiRhoPress.com with your submission.

*****

My home church, Holy Redeemer MCC, College Park, Maryland, is hosting three Thursday evenings in May with a lawyer to discuss "Estate Planning for Our Community." Olivia Cammack, Esq., will talk about living wills, durable powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, "do not resuscitate" instructions, wills, and the like. Thursdays, May 5, 12, and 19, at 7:30 pm, at the church. Check out the church Web site Website:
http://www.holy-redeemer-mcc.org for directions and join us.

*****

Our Webminister, the Rev. Clay Witt has added eight photos of stained glass windows made by me in my role as resident stained glass craftsperson. I specialize in windows and also create the small pieces that Chi Rho Press sells.

The stained glass pieces Chi Rho Press sells are the basic cross ($12.00), the gay/lesbian rainbow flag ($18.00), the red stained glass AIDS ribbon ($7.50), the rainbow cross ($18.00), and the rainbow star of David ($18.00). See them at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/stainedglass.html

The fourth window commissioned for Holy Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church in College Park, Maryland has been added to the Web site. Please check it out!

The new pictures are on the Web site at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/stainedglass_custom.html.