Chi Rho Press eNewsletter
Vol. II, No. 10
8 May 2001

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

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

1. Chi Rho Press is On the Road!
2. 14 Rules of Functional Familes (and Churches!)
3. Handouts Reprinted
4. Second Printing of 'Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse'
5. Adam's Last Word: Traveling Bookstore, Writing Weekend

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1. Chi Rho Press is on the Road!

This spring and summer we are taking Chi Rho Press on
the road! Editor/Office Manager Kevin Stone Fries
coined the phrase “Traveling Bookstore” and in
February we had a very successful visit to Kevin’s
home church, Open Door MCC in Boyds, MD.

While visiting my brother and his family in March we
worshiped at MCC Winston-Salem, NC and had a successful
bookstore there. Then on April 27 and 28 we were at
the UFMCC Mid-Atlantic District Conference in Hagerstown,
MD, for another good bookstore.
http://www.mcc-midatl.org/

And last Sunday (May 6) we were at Vision of Hope MCC,
Mountville, PA (near Lancaster). Interim Pastor the
Rev. Deb Coggins was our host at the church,
located at 130 East Main St., Mountville, PA.

Now, thanks to Kevin’s hard work, we are gearing up for
some more travel. We are available usually two weekends
a month to travel in the nearby Mid-Atlantic region
(since we drive to these ‘gigs’). Please write if
you are interested in hosting the Chi Rho Press
Traveling Bookstore at your local church or
organization we are not limited to MCCs by any means!

This coming weekend (May 12 and 13), I will be back in
Winston-Salem and again at the MCC there for their
6 pm service. The Rev. Ken Hull is our host and the
church is located at 2315 Huff St., Winston-Salem,
NC. http://www.mccws.org/

June 10 we are going to MCC Baltimore and their parish
extension in Columbia, MD. The Rev. David Smith is our
host. MCC Baltimore meets at 10 am at the Waxter
Center, 1000 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD.
MCC Columbia meets at 6:30 pm at the Oakland Mills
Interfaith Center, ‘the end of Thunderhill Road,’
Columbia, MD. http://www.mccbaltimore.org/

June 23 and 24 we are visiting MCC Rehoboth, DE. Very
clever of me to schedule a trip to this wonderful (and
very Gay) beach resort town on my birthday, which
is that Saturday! But we are also opening up our
Traveling Bookstore after the Sunday service, at 9 and
10:30 am at their new location at 21 Midway Center,
Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, DE. My old and dear
friend the Rev. Tom Bohache will be our host.
http://www.mccrehoboth.org/

July 21 and 22 we are going to New Life MCC in Norfolk,
VA. The Rev. Marty Luna and the Rev. Maria Wolfe are
our hosts. The church meets at 10:30 am at 4035 East
Ocean View Ave., Norfolk, VA.
http://www.newlifemcc.org/

Let us know if you would like to have Chi Rho Press’
traveling bookstore come to your church or organization!

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2. 14 Rules of Functional Familes (and Churches!)

We saw this in ‘Seascapes,’ the wonderful newsletter of
the Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth, Delaware
(editor, Wayne Juneau). MCC Rehoboth is not only
celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, but they
are moving into their new worship and ministry center
at 21 Midway Center, Highway One, Rehoboth Beach, DE.

My old friend and colleague, the Rev. Tom Bohache is
pastor there.

‘Seascapes’ often has fascinating articles and this one
struck us as particularly important not only for our
families (biological and intentional) but also for our
churches. This could really be called ‘14 Rules of
Functional Churches’ as well. How many of these traits
does your congregation have?

Here’s the article, reprinted with permission:

From Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, ‘Sensuous Spirituality:
Out from Fundamentalism:” John Bradshaw, the
psychologist and theologian lists fourteen
characteristics of functional families. If you are a
member of a synagogue or church, as you read these
you might want to ask yourself how many are
characteristics of your home congregation and the
national structure to which your congregational belongs.
According to Bradshaw:

1. Problems in functional families are acknowledged
and resolved [not just ‘studied’ and ‘postponed’
everlastingly].

2. All members [are free to] express their perceptions,
feelings, thoughts, desires, and fantasies.

3. All relationships are dialogical and equal. Each
person is of equal value as a person.

4. Communication is direct, congruent, concrete,
specific, and behavioral.

5. All family members can get their needs met.

6. Family members [are allowed to] be different [and
are accepted that way].

7. Parents [in the case of churches, church leaders and
officials] do what they say. They are self-disciplined
disciplinarians.

8. Family roles are chosen [by the members themselves]
and are flexible.

9. The atmosphere is fun and spontaneous.

10. The rules require accountability.

11. Violation of the values of other family members
leads to healthy guilt [and correction].

12. Mistakes are forgiven and viewed as learning tools.

13. The family system exists for the individuals [not
the individuals for the system].

14. The parents [or church leaders and officials] are
in touch with their own [healthy] shame; [that is, they
readily acknowledge their own limitations and correct
their errors willingly].

(Citing John Bradshaw, ‘Bradshaw On: The Family;’
Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 1988,
pp. 54-55)

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3. Handouts Reprinted

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 everyone.

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
celebrates 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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4. Second Printing of 'Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse'

The second printing of one of our most exciting,
important, and unique books is now available!

'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.

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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5. Adam's Last Word

This has been a very busy spring for us here at Chi Rho
Press. The weather in Maryland has been spectacular!

Our prayers have been with our sisters and brothers in
other parts of the country where things have been more
trying. Floods in the Midwest seem to have subsided and
I hope all of our friends there are safe and dry. Power
shortages and ‘rolling blackouts’ have plagued California.
And it’s the beginning of tornado season!

As we pray for our friends in other parts of the US and
around the world, we also give thanks for our good
fortune. Maryland is a great place to live, though a
study announced yesterday has Washington DC the home of
the fourth worst commute in the nation!

Sales have been wonderful for our newly reprinted
Handouts, as well as the new printing of ‘My Memory
Book’ and the second printing of ‘Steps to Recovery
from Bible Abuse.’

March had our second highest volume of sales on our Web
site, second only to December, for which we are very
grateful. And it looks as if April was right
up there as well! Thanks to all of you who shop at
ChiRhoPress.com. We never close!

Dr. Rembert Truluck is going to New Orleans to be with
Soulforce as a witness at the Southern Baptist
Convention in early June. Ads for his book ‘Steps to
Recovery from Bible Abuse’ will be appearing in the
New Orleans Times-Picayune and in Ambush, the local
LGBT newspaper. Dr. Truluck will be at a book
signing at Faubourg Marigny. Watch for our next
eNewsletter for a detailed scheduled of events.

As you read in our first article, we are taking our
Traveling Bookstore on the road more frequently.
Our visit to Vision of Hope MCC, Mountville, PA last
Sunday was very pleasant! Many thanks to the Rev.
Debbie Coggin, Interim Pastor, for her gracious welcome.

On a personal note, I am taking a few days off to do some
writing. I am going back to Winston-Salem, North
Carolina, to a wonderful bed and breakfast in Old Salem
called the Augustus T. Zeveley Inn,
http://www.winston-salem-inn.com/.

Kevin Fries and I stayed there the end of March when
we went down to visit my brother and his family and
innkeeper Todd Sanders was a gracious and generous
host.

I am going by myself to spend four days and nights
writing. Sunday I will be worshiping at MCC Winston-Salem
and setting up our Traveling Bookstore. But the rest of
the long weekend will be spent working on my book (maybe
two different books), reading, praying, and relaxing.
I am looking forward to a comfortable and productive
four-day weekend of writing. Please keep me in your
prayers!

Blessings on you all this Spring! Thanks for being
with us at Chi Rho Press.

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We are glad you are partners in ministry 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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Our snail mail address is:

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

Our telephone and fax number is 301/926-1208.

You may order any of our books via snail mail, telephone, fax, or e-mail at
Orders@ChiRhoPress.com. You may pay by credit card on our web page or we
will ship your order after receiving your check or money order. Include your
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Centre St., Odessa, ONT., Canada, K0H 2H0; e-mail: mapenterprises@home.com;
phone or fax: 1-613-386-5711; or toll free (leave a message) 1-877-245-9569.

Copyright 2001, Chi Rho Press, Inc.

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R. Adam DeBaugh, Director, Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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