Chi Rho Press eNewsletter
Vol. II, No. 9
11 April 2001

Welcome once again to the Chi Rho Press eNewsletter. Thank you for passing
this eNewsletter on to others.

To join our list, send an e-mail message to ChiRhoPress-subscribe@egroups.com.

Please visit our Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com/ to see our entire
lines of books, Handouts, tchochkas, and stained glass.

Direct all other e-mail to Adam@ChiRhoPress.com. See the end of this
eNewsletter for a complete list of e-mail addresses at ChiRhoPress.com.

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Contents:

1. Handouts Reprinted at Last!
2. Second Printing of ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’
3. Rembert Truluck’s Preface to the Second Printing
4. “Called OUT!” Now More Than Ever
5. Adam's Last Word: New Printings, Kevin’s Baptism, Easter
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1. Handouts Reprinted at Last!

Chi Rho Press is pleased to announce the full availability of its complete
line of Handouts. Churches and other ministries can now order without delay the
Handouts that have been out of print for some time, including ‘Welcome to
MCC’ and ‘What Do We Believe?’

Three of our four Handouts are specifically designed for Metropolitan
Community Churches, while the fourth, ‘Free to Be: A Brief Look at the
Bible and Homosexuality,’ is useful for anyone.

The Chi Rho Press line of Handouts includes:

‘FREE TO BE LESBIAN/GAY: A Brief Look at the Bible and
Homosexuality,’ by the Rev. Michael England. A brief analysis of the
Biblical passages traditionally used to condemn homosexuality. Based on
his best selling book, ‘The Bible and Homosexuality,’ now in its fifth
edition from Chi Rho Press, Michael England has distilled the most important
information from the book into this convenient, pocket-sized Handout.

‘WELCOME TO MCC!’ by R. Adam DeBaugh. Basic background
information about the UFMCC. Useful for visitors to MCC churches or
anyone interested in learning about MCC.

‘WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?’ by R. Adam DeBaugh. An explanation of the
UFMCC Statement of Faith, the creedal statement that binds MCC members
together worldwide.

‘WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER OF MCC?’ by R. Adam
DeBaugh. A description of the requirements for membership in MCC.

The four Handouts are helpful ministry tools for membership classes, visitors’
packets, Pride events, while traveling on church business, or during visits to
friends in the community. All four Handouts clearly and quickly inform
readers about issues important to MCC congregations.

Chi Rho Press’s Handouts are pocket size reference materials priced at $0.20
each, plus shipping and handling. Discounts are available for orders of very
large quantities. Handouts are six inches high by 18 inches long, and folded
down to a handy, pocket-sized, six by three-inch brochure.

In addition, Chi Rho Press offers other books useful to MCC’s ministry: ‘The
UFMCC Mission Statement,’ by Rev. Virginia G. Miles and R. Adam
DeBaugh, and the ‘2001 Liturgical Calendar’ specially designed for our
churches by Rev. Tom Bohache of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

The Press also offers two additional fun and informative MCC resources by
Jean Gralley. Gralley’s insightful cartoons collected in ‘What a Fellowship’
will add levity and meaning to the congregational life of any MCC. Also,
Gralley’s ‘Whole Church Body Book’ explains church history in a way that
all members can enjoy, with special attention to the life and call of the
laity in the church.

Please visit our Web site at http://www.ChiRhoPress.com to learn about
our full line of products that each celebrate the faith and sexuality of all
people.

Order materials from our Web site, http://www.ChiRhoPress.com, using a
credit card and the fast and convenient shopping cart option. Or send your
check or money order in the amount of the price of the materials plus
shipping and handling to:

Chi Rho Press
P.O. Box 7864
Gaithersburg, MD 20898

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2. Second Printing of ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’

The second printing of one of our most exciting, important, and unique books
has been delivered by the printer!

‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’ has only been improved with the second
printing! The cover is now laminated and much more durable. The back cover
features a bar code for easier handling by bookstores. This printing also
includes the Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication information. And
lastly, the author has written a short update that readers will enjoy (see
next article).

Sales of ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’ continue to be very strong.
Ads for Dr. Truluck's book have appeared in the Advocate, and we are running
advertisements in upcoming issues of The Other Side and Open Hands
magazines.

‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’ continues to be our fastest-selling
title. It is still available for only $24.95, or $18.75 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and handling.

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3. Rembert Truluck’s Preface to the Second Printing

During the last year since this book was published in January 2000, many
significant events related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT)
spiritual issues and religious oppression have occurred. The largest church
denominations in the U.S. held national conferences in which full
participation by GLBT people in all of church life was debated at length without any positive results. Soulforce volunteers under the leadership of Dr. Mel White
and the Rev. Jimmy Creech protested anti-gay religious oppression and abuse
at each of these national gatherings.

The campaign and election of a new U. S. President took place, bringing a new
administration with vastly different attitudes towards GLBT issues and the
separation of church and state. The long-term effects of these national
changes for GLBT people are yet to be seen. Religion remains the primary source for homophobia and the oppression of GLBT people. Misinformation about
GLBT people in politics and religion is being challenged, but the results so
far have demonstrated little or no change in religious and political actions.

The need for the information in this book now is greater than ever.

An encouraging sign during the past year has been the development of many
home study groups around the world using this book as a guide for information
and dialogue. My visits to churches and conferences, leading workshops on
this book were encouraging and led to local study groups being started in
many places. My web site on ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’ at
http://www.truluck.com along with regular e-mail updates to thousands of
readers have provided an on-going interactive dialogue and learning
opportunity for many.

A series of GLBT Sunday School lessons is the next step in this ministry of
information. I am preparing this series of Sunday School type lessons on
Jesus to be published soon by Chi Rho Press and to be made available in
the form of weekly group study materials.

A professional video to accompany ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse’ will
also be made available through Chi Rho Press. This video, produced by
Adraine Bowie, will provide an inspirational example of possibilities arising
from the use of ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse.’ The video is based
on my visit at Resurrection MCC in Houston, Texas, in January 2001.

Contact the author by e-mail at rembert@t... to request to be added
to the e-mail list for updates related to the web site and book.

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4. “Called OUT!” Now More Than Ever

The big news this spring is that a majority of Presbyteries have voted
against an amendment that would have prohibited Presbyterian ministers from celebrating holy unions for same sex couples. At the most recent count we have seen, 88 of the 173 Presbyteries in the United States voted against Amendment O, which would also have banned same sex unions from even being held in Presbyterian churches.

This is a significant victory for LGBT Presbyterians and their supporters. It
may herald a return of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to its traditional
policies of tolerance and local autonomy.

The struggle now moves toward the Presbyterian General Assembly this June in
Louisville, where there are many “overtures” or bills pending that affect the
role of LGTB people in Presbyterian churches. We believe that Presbyterians
need to read “Called OUT! The Voices and Gifts of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgendered Presbyterians” now more than ever.

“Called OUT!” was compiled by the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, Kathryn Poethig,
Selisse Berry, and Melinda McLain. In it 39 LGBT Presbyterians tell their
stories about their lives in, and out of the Presbyterian Church. People from
both the old northern and southern churches, and the reunited Presbyterian
Church (USA), from all over the United States, tell their stories here with
candor, wit, and faith. An important book for all who either are Lesbian or
Gay or would seek to understand Gay people of faith, regardless of their
religion. Now in its second printing, “Called OUT!” has been called an incredibly
valuable book. Former Stated Clerk William P. Thompson (who was arrested with
Soulforce activists at last year’s General Assembly) said “Presbyterians
should read ‘Called OUT’ within the year.”

“Called OUT!” is available from Chi Rho Press for $17.95 each, six or more
copies for $15.25 each. You may order on our web site at
http://www.ChiRhoPress.com.

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5. Adam's Last Word:

This has been a busy season as you can guess from the fact that we haven’t
had an eNewsletter since March 16. We have taken delivery of the new
printing of ‘Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse,’ with a much improved and
durable cover.

We also reprinted all four of our Handouts (10,000 copies of each!), this time
all in a restful purple ink. I especially recommend all four Handouts for the
Metropolitan Community Churches they make excellent handouts for
new visitors, membership classes, and at Pride events.

And ‘Free to Be: A Brief Look at the Bible and Homosexuality’ is an
excellent little handout for everyone to use this is our third printing of
10,000 for that one! All churches that are welcoming and affirming of
LGBT people could make use of this important little brochure.

A word about pricing: when the Handouts were first produced in 1995 we set
the price at 15 cents each, regardless of the number ordered. Over the past
six years, the prices of paper and printing went up dramatically and as a
result we have had to increase the price of our Handouts to 20 cents each. I think this is still a bargain! And it is the first price increase for our Handouts since they first came out six years ago.

I hope you will order large quantities of the Handouts for your churches.

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We had a wonderful event in the life of our little Press family a couple of
weeks ago. Our Editor/Office Manager, Kevin Stone Fries, was baptized on
his birthday, April 1. He was also brought into membership of Open Door
MCC, Boyds, Maryland, following his baptism. Kevin’s entire family
(biological and family of choice) joined Chi Rho Press board and staff people
and the congregation of Open Door MCC for this joyous event.

Coincidentally, it was the first Sunday of Open Door’s new pastor, the Rev.
Dr. David Park, who comes to Maryland from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dr.
Park presided over a powerful and Spirit-filled worship service, made all the
more special for us at Chi Rho Press because of our brother Kevin’s baptism
and rite of membership. Congratulations, Kevin!

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It is Holy Week as I write this. A week filled with worship opportunities,
powerful readings and meditations, and solemn events. This week is the
centerpiece of Christian life, leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. It is a week of palms, Bible study, Seders, foot washings,
contemplation, and great joy.

For me, this week includes a Seder on Maundy Thursday at Open Door
MCC. But I am doing something a little different on Good Friday. A local
Methodist Church has a labyrinth, which they are going to set up on Good
Friday and Kevin and I are going to walk the labyrinth Friday evening. It
should be a wonderful time of meditation and reflection a spiritual
discipline highly recommended by one of our authors, Dr. Sandy Bochonok.

As part of my spiritual discipline in the labyrinth on Good Friday, I will be
lifting up in prayer all of you in the Chi Rho Press community of faith. I
will be praying for the faithful readers of this eNews, our customers, our
investors, our generous contributors, our board and staff, our authors, and all those whose lives this ministry touches and whose lives and ministries touch us.

May God’s wildly inclusive love enrich and bless you in this Eastertide.

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed!

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We are glad you are partners with us here at Chi Rho Press. We are eager
for your comments, your suggestions, your assistance with selling our books, and
your own purchases! And of course, we covet your prayers for this ministry.

Grace and peace,

Adam DeBaugh, Director
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Copyright 2001, Chi Rho Press, Inc.

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