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12 July 01
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Chi Rho Press Connection
Vol. II, No. 16
12 July 2001
'We've all been misunderstood.
We've all been made fun
of. But I'm not going to allow people who don't like me
to rent space in my brain.' Tammy Faye Messner (yes,
formerly Tammy Faye Bakker) speaking to 2001 Pridefest
in Tampa, FL.
Welcome once again
to the Chi Rho Connection, the
electronic newsletter of Chi Rho Press. Thank you for
passing this Chi Rho Connection on to others.
.To
join our list, send an e-mail message to
mailto:ChiRhoPress-subscribe@yahoo.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. We
Have a Winner!
2. Become a Guardian Angel
3. Stonewall Society Raves About Steps
4. To Norfolk Next
5. Adam's Last Word: Resident Bush and the Salvation
Wehrmacht, How to Spend your Tax Refund, and Summer,
Stained Glass, and Changes
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An entry submitted
by Heather Owens, of Alexandria, VA,
was selected by the Chi Rho Press Board of Directors as
the winner of our Name the eNewsletter Contest.
Heather's suggestion was Chi Rho Connection and that is
what you are reading now! Heather gets to choose any
one item from our on-line catalog as her prize!
Congratulations, Heather!
Heather is 'a writer/editor
and aspiring book writer,' she
says. She attends both MCC Northern Virginia and MCC
Baltimore.
And many thanks to
all the people who sent in suggestions.
It was a difficult decision to make. We like Heather's
suggestion because the whole purpose of our eNewsletter
is to make connections with our supporters. We also like
the little bit of alliteration. (grin) Remember Chi Rho
is pronounced 'ki row,' with a hard c and a long i, to
rhyme with tie.
Our name comes from
the two Greek letters. Chi (which
looks an X) is the 22nd letter in the Greek alphabet.
Rho (which looks like a P) is the 17th letter. They are
the first two letters in the Greek word kristos, which
means Christ. Historically the Chi Rho monogram has been
a familiar symbol of Christ. Because we are a Christian
publishing house serving the LGBT community we chose the
name Chi Rho Press and the monogram of the two Greek
letters to emphasize our Christian roots and ministry.
Welcome to the Chi
Rho Connection! We hope this
eNewsletter will continue to be a blessing to you.
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Chi Rho Press is
looking for Guardian Angels, individuals,
couples, or families who will become sponsors of the Press
and more involved as partners in this ministry.
Our vision of ecumenical,
grass roots ministry really
takes hold with the implementation of the Guardian Angel
Individual Sponsor Program.
The goal is to enable
individuals, couples, and families
to become Sponsors of Chi Rho Press. We are implementing
this program today!
We are inviting you
to become a Guardian Angel of Chi Rho
Press!
Guardian Angels will
1. Receive a 'welcome
gift' of a Stained Glass Cross as
a thank you for your support.
2. Be eligible for
a 7.5% discount on all purchases from
Chi Rho Press that you make.
3. Be listed as a
Guardian Angel Sponsor in Chi Rho Press
publications, press releases, eNewsletters, and on the Web
page.
4. Get a subscription
to a new Newsletter just for
Sponsors.
5. Receive an annual report prepared just for Sponsors.
6. Be informed about
advance sales of publications from
Chi Rho Press.
7. And of course, you will remain in our prayers!
And what do we ask
from our Guardian Angels in return?
Only three things,
1. Please keep the
ministry of Chi Rho Press in your
prayers.
2. A grant of at
least $150 a year to Chi Rho Press
from individuals, couples, or families.
3. Keep your friends,
family, co-workers, and churches
informed about the resources available from Chi Rho
Press, our Web page, and our eNewsletter.
That's it. For just
$150 a year, you can become a
Guardian Angel Sponsor of this growing publishing house,
serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and
seeking community of faith. Chi Rho Press is reaching
people with resources that are not available anywhere
else, resources that are made especially for our LGBT
community.
'Even though we have
managed to keep the costs of this
special ministry very low, we need your support to grow
and to expand our outreach. Won't you help?' asks Board
member Steve Barchers.
This program is now
in place and we have welcomed our
first Guardian Angels already. Please join us!
Simply send your
check for at least $150 to Chi Rho Press,
ATTN: Guardian Angel Program, P.O. Box 7864, Gaithersburg,
MD 20898. If you have specific questions about the Guardian
Angel Program, you may e-mail us at Angels@ChiRhoPress.com,
or telephone us at 301/926-1208.
Thank you for your support!
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3. Stonewall Society Raves About Steps
From the Stonewall
Society Web site, Equal Pride, Vol.
II, Issue 6, 'Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse,' by
Dr. Rembert S. Truluck. Review By Codi.
http://www.stonewallsociety.com/EqualPride/ep19RembertTruluck.htm
I have always felt
that when choosing a 'name' for any
project, one should strive to make a choice, which is
self-explanatory. Dr. Rembert Truluck has achieved
that and much more. This book is, as stated, a resource
for anyone who has experienced 'Bible Abuse.' It is also
a resource for those wishing to end such abuses as in;
parents, teachers, ministers, and just your everyday
person. Formatted and referenced well for quick resource,
'Steps To Recovery From Bible Abuse' also works quite well
as front to back reading material.
Dr. Truluck challenges,
enlightens, and even amuses while
bringing a clearer understanding of how we are abused.
His interpretations are based on accurate translations and
a good grasp of Biblical timing, history, and social
dynamics. This is well thought out work, not just another
attempt to offer 'our' version of religious theories.
At the center of this premise is that Jesus Christ came
to heal sick religions. That certainly places a whole
new view and interpretation of many of Christ's teachings.
This theory is backed up by on the mark examples. For
instance, when Jesus ejects the vendors from the temple,
that Christ was more likely to meet with a small group
than large crowds.
Going into its second
print, 'Steps To Recovery From Bible
Abuse' is strong material, which I believe will be a
foundation for religious reform. I must stress, this
is not a painful read nor activity. Several of our
'reviewers' were let's say less than anxious to tackle
Dr. Truluck's work. Why? I believe intimidation and
possible disappointment with other attempts to reconcile
religious issues to be the core reasons. What Dr.
Truluck has achieved is an understandable and believable
answer to an old problem. Plainly stated, man is the
problem here and our 'interpretation' of his Word - the
Bible. Especially those all too much heard 'six
examples.' While we as a community seek change, we are
not necessarily the first in line to make changes. The
mere title of the book tells you that you will be changed
by reading this material. An accepted fact, people are
afraid of change. I found that change to be a very
positive one. Refreshing, yes challenging, and I firmly
believe long lasting.
I agree with Dr.
Truluck that anyone who has suffered from
'Bible Abuse' should take the time to read this material.
The benefits are amazing. However, I have found this to
be an excellent resource for those wishing to better
understand the Christian religion as well. In all areas
the resource strength of 'Steps To Recovery From Bible
Abuse' is unbridled. Whether you are looking for personal
answers or seeking to establish a group to discuss and
understand the issues, the answers are all here. The
steps themselves take you through a healing and
understanding process in logical and beneficial order, as
Dr. Truluck establishes actual plans for group meetings.
The lessons are rewarding for both individual study or
with a group.
This will without
a doubt be one of the most reached for
books in my library. I have already found myself doing
so not just to address 'Bible Abuse' but in other areas.
One of Dr. Truluck's statements had a profound effect.
'Never underestimate the destructive power of ignorance.'
Easy to relate to when thinking about 'their' ignorance.
But what about our own and the damage we do to ourselves
for buying into that ignorance? We must see that ignorance
is correctable, and only a negative when we knowingly
accept our ignorance for fact. Thank you Dr. Rembert
Truluck, for your efforts in bringing this information
not just to our community, but to the community of man.
This book has the ability to help many within and outside
of our community. Whether you seek answers for yourself,
for another, or just general understanding, this is a must
reference.
For more information
on Dr. Truluck, 'Steps To Recovery
>From Bible Abuse,' and to get your own copy visit his
website! http://www.truluck.com.
To order a
copy of the book, go to http://www.ChiRhoPress.com
.
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The Rev. Marty Luna
and the Rev. Maria Wolfe will welcome
the Chi Rho Press Traveling Bookstore to New Life
Metropolitan Community Church in Norfolk, VA on July 21
and 22. The church meets at 10:30 am at 4035 East Ocean
View Ave., Norfolk, VA. http://www.newlifemcc.org/
Sept. 23, MCC Richmond, VA tentatively planned.
Nov. 25, Imago Dei MCC, Media, PA tentatively planned.
More information
about up-coming visits will be in
future editions of the Chi Rho Connection.
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5.
Adam's Last Word Resident Bush and the Salvation
Wehrmacht, How to Spend your Tax Refund, and Summer,
Stained Glass, and Changes
By now you have no
doubt heard the brouhaha about Resident
George W. Bush's callous willingness to circumvent local
and state civil rights legislation in order to solidify
support of the Salvation Army for his so-called faith-based
initiative program. That the Resident of the White House
would stoop this low is terrible, though frankly I am not
surprised that W would be willing to so cavalierly throw
away our rights.
Given the past record
of the Salvation Army, it shouldn't
be surprising that they were a willing partner of this
infamy. But I still cling to the hope that Christians
will behave in a Christ-like manner I know, it is a
foolish expectation, but I still hope.
Obviously, the Salvation
Army, the Wehrmacht of
Christianity, should be a target of the Saints of
Soulforce. But we can ALL protest the Salvation Army's
bigotry and intolerance.
Salvation Army bell
ringers are a familiar sight in many
places around Christmas time. We urge you to bypass the
red kettles of the Salvation Wehrmacht next Christmas.
Chi Rho Press Editor Kevin Stone Fries urges us, 'Don't
Give in to Bigotry.' Despite the good works that throwing
your spare change in the Salvation Army's buckets might
do, we are cooperating with bigotry and hatred when we
give to them. There are lots of LGBT-friendly charities
to support!
We should also start
now, by telling our favorite stores
where the Salvation Wehrmacht sets up its buckets that we
will not enter them this Christmas if the Salvation Army
is outside.
Kevin is right: Don't
Give in to Bigotry. Boycott the
Salvation Wehrmacht.
**********
And if you really
want to upset Resident Bush, why don't
you take part of the tax refund being sent to you this
summer and become a Guardian Angel Sponsor of Chi Rho
Press.
Send a letter to
Resident Bush telling him to what good
works you are putting his tax refund. I can see it now:
'Dear Mr. Bush, Thanks for the check! I am using part
of the tax refund you pushed through Congress to support
Lesbian and Gay civil rights.'
I wonder if he will be pleased? I think not!
**********
The weather has been
beautiful this week in Maryland.
Warm, but not too hot, lovely clear blue skies, balmy
breezes. Luckily the more moderate temperatures have
made our third floor offices a good deal more tolerable
for Kevin. We are looking into an additional air
conditioner, so he doesn't melt completely all away.
I have been working
on some stained glass lately. I have
committed to four panels for my home church, Holy Redeemer
MCC, College Park, MD. Only one is finished, the Holy
Spirit window, but I am making good progress on the second,
which is a Communion window complete with chalice, bread,
and grapes. One of our board members is also my pastor,
the Rev. Clay Witt, so he is keeping my feet to the fire
about the stained glass!
There are lots of
new things going on at Chi Rho Press.
A new name for this eNewsletter. Many thanks, Heather!
And the new Guardian Angel individual sponsor program.
Kevin and I are hoping that many of our readers will want
to become Guardian Angels. In a couple of weeks, we
should have a space on our Web page to make these
contributions with your credit card, but until then, please
send us your checks or money orders.
We both hope you
will become our Guardian Angels. Please
send us a check today!
In any case, however
you show your support for the ministry
of Chi Rho Press, we thank you and pray for you all. Have
a great July!
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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
---------------------------
If you've received our Chi Rho Connection as a result of the good offices
of
someone passing it along to you (which we certainly encourage) and would
like to
receive it directly from us, please follow the directions at the end of
our
Connection to subscribe.
For
orders, please write to us: Orders@ChiRhoPress.com.
If you have
questions, please write to Question@ChiRhoPress.com.
For comments and
suggestions about this eNewsletter, please write Connection@ChiRhoPress.com.
To learn about our Guardian Angel Individual Sponsor Program, please write
Angels@ChiRhoPress.com. For
all other correspondence, please write Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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.
Our Canadian
friends can order using credit cards on our web page or through
our Canadian distributor, MAP Enterprises, Mary Ann Pearson, Box 340,
54
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.
Kevin Stone Fries, Editor/Office Manager, Kevin@ChiRhoPress.com
Visit the Chi Rho Press Website http://www.ChiRhoPress.com