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Contents:
1. Correction Caught by an Urban Myth!
2. "The Journey is Our Home:" Sharing Our Faith
Journeys, by Kathy S. Quinn, Ed.D.
3. Reminder, Our Newest Books
4. Remaindered Table
5. Sanctoral Cycle
6. Adam's Last Word:
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This Issue's Quote:
"Religion is indeed a principal thing, but too much is
worse than none at all. The world abounds with knaves
and villains, but of all knaves, the religious knave
is the worst; and villainies acted under the cloak of
religion are the most execrable."
-- Benjamin Franklin
*****
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.
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mailto:ChiRhoPress-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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Please visit our Web site at http://www.chirhopress.com
to see our entire lines of books, handouts, videos, tapes,
tchochkas, and stained glass.
Direct all other e-mail to Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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1. Correction Caught by an Urban Myth!
Remember that splendid quote we posted in the last
issue? The one from Nelson Mandela's 1994 inaugural
address? It started, "Our deepest fear is NOT that
we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure." Great quote, right? Only
there is one problem.
Nelson Mandela didn't say it.
Many thanks to alert and faithful reader, Ric Beattie,
who wrote us about our mistake. Ric writes, "The
wonderful quotation you include in this issue is
actually from Marianne Williamson's book, 'A Return
to Love,' copyright 1992. The quotation is found on
pages 190-191 in the paperback edition.
"Interestingly, I have researched Mr. Mandela's inaugural
speeches (there were several) and have not found any
reference to his ever having spoken these words. This
frequent misquotation is one of the all-time greatest
urban legends."
Right you are, Ric! Thank you for the correction, and
our apologies to our faithful readers and especially to
Marianne Williamson. This is pretty embarrassing for a
publisher! I have always warned people about checking
out things they get on the Internet and now am guilty
of not doing that myself!
Oddly enough, while I was doing my own (belated)
research and reading Nelson Mandela's actual inaugural
address from 1994, I came across a Web site which
correctly identified the quote, but said that Mandela
had quoted it in his 1994 inaugural speech! These urban
myths are just pernicious!
Thanks again to Ric Beattie!
And just for the record, that kid in England (or wherever)
who wants you to send him e-mail is grown up by now, Bill
Gates is not going to send you money for forwarding e-mail
to all your friends, that cookie recipe is a fraud, and
some relative of some African leader does not want to
share millions of dollars with you! And don't get me
started on those "enlargement" e-mails!
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2. "The Journey is Our Home:" Sharing Our Faith
Journeys, by Kathy S. Quinn, Ed.D.
The Chi Rho Connection is pleased to continue its
series in which people tell about their faith journeys.
To continue "The Journey is Our Home" series, we have
called upon Kathy S. Quinn, Ed.D. Kathy is co-chair
of Lutherans Concerned/South Carolina and a member of
a Lutheran Church (ELCA). She is assistant professor
of business administration and actively involved in
diversity issues, the GLBT community, and the
interfaith community. Her interests include Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator, photography, computers/technology,
reading, and her 16 year old cat.
Here is Kathy's story of faith, "Surviving Protestant
Fundamentalism." We hope you are blessed by this part
of her spiritual journey.
+ + +
At the age of seven I was baptized in a protestant
fundamentalist church in the rural south. One short
year later, my mother missed church for two months to
take care of a dying relative. The first Sunday after
the relative's death, when mother and I returned to
church, the pastor stood in the pulpit, pointed and
shook his finger directly at my mother, and said anyone
who missed church to take care of the dying was going
straight to hell. We never went back to that church
again.
This was just the first of many traumatic events that
my mother and I experienced in protestant fundamentalist
churches in the rural south. We were Christians, had
been lifelong members of that denomination, wanted to
attend church, and worship God. I remember a minister
saying once that regardless of where a person lived in
the south, they could always find a home in the small
churches of that particular denomination. My mother
and I both tried dutifully and diligently to find that
church home. Time after time we were turned away from
church after church first because of my parents' divorce
and then because I found myself working for an atheist
and a devil worshiper.
After the horrible experiences mother and I had
previously encountered with fundamentalist churches,
I should have known better than turn to the church
where I was a member for help in dealing with the
atheist and devil worshiper. However, in tears and
desperation, the only place I knew to go for help was
the church.
Since I had always lived in small towns in the rural
south, I had never expected in my worst nightmare to
encounter an atheist and/or devil worshiper. I was
unprepared to cope with the situation and felt I needed
spiritual help and guidance. Once again to my horror,
I was turned away from the church and refused pastoral
counseling, guidance, or assistance. Finally, I
realized that despite my best efforts, I would never
find a church home in protestant fundamentalism.
Sobbing, I walked away from that fundamentalist church
and denomination believing that I could never again
attend any church for fear of having my heart, soul,
and faith completely destroyed by the church.
I felt betrayed and abused by the church. I felt very
lost and alone. I was angry that I had wasted so much
precious time trying to be a Christian and trying to
find a church home. I could not believe any church
could treat people, especially Christians, the way my
mother and I had been treated by protestant
fundamentalist churches. Based on our experiences,
I finally came to the conclusion that protestant
fundamentalism does not practice, preach, or teach
the principles of Jesus Christ. I believe if Jesus
Christ walked into protestant fundamentalist churches
He would be as unwanted and unwelcome in those churches
as my mother and I were.
It is amazing that somehow my faith and soul survived
protestant fundamentalism. I eventually found my way
into a mainline protestant church and denomination,
where for the first time I feel welcome, wanted,
accepted, and loved. I feel I have finally met true
Christians who know, understand, preach, and teach
about God's unconditional love, grace, and forgiveness
something I never heard or learned about in protestant
fundamentalist churches.
+ + +
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3. Reminder, Our Newest Books
"THE CHILDREN ARE FREE: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence
on Same-sex Relationships," by Rev. Jeff Miner and John
Tyler Connoley. (ISBN: 0-9719296-0-2) 91 pages.
$12.95 each, six or more copies for $9.75 each.
Published by Jesus Metropolitan Community Church,
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, this book is a positive and
concise new look at what the Bible really says about
homosexuality and same-sex relationships. See it on
our Web site at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/gayandchristian.html#Miner
*****
"Together in Love," the new anthology by Roberta Showalter
Kreider, who compiled "From Wounded Hearts" for Chi Rho
Press. $24.00 each, $18.00 each for six or more copies,
plus shipping and handling.
"Together in Love: Faith Stories of Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Transgender Couples" is an anthology of
LGBT couples, telling their stories of their faith
journeys as people in non-traditional relationships.
"Together in Love" is 360 pages, and contains 26 stories
by LGBT couples, other stories, poems, and a father's
message to the church. (ISBN: 0-9664822-1-2)
See "Together In Love" on our Web site at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/gayandchristian.html#Kreider
*****
"A Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary, Year B, December
2002 through November 2003," compiled by Dr. David Kerr
Park. Spiral bound, 8 ½" x 11", 78 pages. $9.95 each,
six or more copies for $7.95 each, plus shipping and
handling. Web site link,
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/devotionals.html#Park
Though we are already five months into the liturgical
year, this calendar has so much useful information that
it is still selling well. Look for the 2004 Liturgical
Calendar to be published by Chi Rho Press in late summer
this year.
*****
"For Another Flock: Rainbow Meditations and Study Guide
for Lent" is spiral bound, 5 ½" x 8 ½", 104 pages. $10.95
each, $8.95 each for six or more copies, plus shipping and
handling. See it on our Web site at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/devotionals.html#ForAnotherFlock
Though Lent is over for this year, you should pick this
book up to plan for your Lenten devotions in 2004.
Written out of the deep faith and learning of a gay
practicing Roman Catholic and from a Catholic
perspective, "For Another Flock" includes daily
meditations for all the days of Lent and Holy Week,
beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter
Sunday. Scripture readings are provided for every
day in Lent and Holy Week followed by a reflection
from a uniquely gay and Catholic point of view and a
prayer. A weekly Bible study is also included in this
valuable little book.
*****
We have a video in stock featuring Roberta Kreider
and Mary Lou Wallner, with an introduction by the Rev.
Peter J. Gomes. "Family Stories: Journeys of Spirit in
Mixed Orientation Families" was produced by John Davis
and is available for $26.95, plus shipping and handling.
"Family Stories" presents the journeys of two women whose
lives have changed dramatically in working through issues
of sexuality and religion. The untimely deaths of family
members (one a gay brother, the other a lesbian daughter)
lead them to confront their feelings of confusion and
hypocrisy. They provide hope for families, as well as
religious and social organizations, by clearly
demonstrating how minds can and do change.
"Family Stories" is in VHS format, color, and 35 minutes,
and sells for $26.95, plus shipping and handling.
See it on our Web page at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/videos.html#FamilyStories.
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4. New Remainder Table on Web Site
We are pleased that so many of you have taken advantage
of a new money-saving opportunity for our customers, the
Remainder Table.
Find it at http://www.chirhopress.com/products/remainders.html.
From time to time, books are returned to us from
bookstores or distribution houses. Often these
returned books are not able to be sold as "new"
because the bookstore has put a price sticker on
the back cover or the covers have been damaged in
transit. As a result, we now sell these slightly
damaged books on our new Remainder Table at a
significant saving to you.
This insides of the books on our Remainder Table are
not damaged, just the covers. Most of the damage is
slight. The books on our Remainder Table are 40% off
the list price.
These five great books are available on our Remainder
Table now:
"Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse," by Dr. Rembert
Truluck, remaindered at $14.95. That's a saving of
$10.00 off the list price!
"The Bible and Homosexuality," by the Rev. Michael
England, remaindered at $6.60. That's a saving of
$4.35 off the list price!
"From Wounded Hearts: Faiths Stories of Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered People and Those
Who Love Them," compiled and edited by Roberta
Showalter Kreider. This first edition is no longer
in print, but we have a few remaindered copies at
$11.95. That's a saving of $8.00 off the original
list price!
"Come Home! Reclaiming Spirituality and Community
as Gay Men and Lesbians," by Chris Glaser, remaindered
at $11.95. That's a saving of $8.00 off the list
price!
"Called OUT! The Voices and Gifts of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgendered Presbyterians," compiled
and edited by the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, Kathryn
Poethig, Selisse Berry, and Melinda V. McLain,
remaindered at $10.75. That's a savings of $7.20
off the list price!
All sales from the Remainder Table are subject to
availability. No returns or refunds are permitted.
Visit the Remainder Table at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/remainders.html .
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5. Sanctoral Cycle
As a regular feature in the Chi Rho Connection, we
are offering up traditional and modern saints and various
holy days listed in the 2003 Liturgical Calendar and
Lectionary from today until our next scheduled
electronic newsletter.
Thurs., May 1, May Day/Labor Day. This day is the day
to recognize those who work in nearly every country in
the world except the United States and Canada.
Thurs., May 1, Beltane (Wiccan). Cross-quarter day,
halfway between Spring equinox and Summer solstice.
Celebration of joining of the goddess with the energy
of the god in a sacred marriage that resulted in all
creation.
Mon., May 5. Cinco de Mayo (Mexico). Anniversary of
the battle of Puebla, in which Mexico defeated the
French. This is an especially important day among
Mexican-Americans.
Tues., May 6. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862).
Naturalist and social critic. While his writings were
largely ignored in his lifetime, Thoreau's thoughts on
social justice, freedom, and civil disobedience were
to later influence Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Martin Luther
King. A fiercely independent nonconformist, he followed
no particular religion, but has been described as
something of a Taoist sage and desert father. His
mystical rapture with nature speaks to us today in our
ecological concerns.
Thurs., May 8. Bd. Julian of Norwich (1342-1416).
Mystic. Few details are known of the life of Dame
Julian, a recluse who was famed as a spiritual
counselor. She is best known for writing "Revelations
of Love Divine," the first book written in English by
a woman. At the age of 30 she became gravely ill,
but recovered following a series of visions of Christ
on the cross. She spoke of God as our Creator,
Protector, and Lover, and wrote of the motherhood of
both God and of Jesus, emphasizing the goodness of
creation and Gods mercy toward the weak. "As truly
as God is our Father, so truly is God our Mother."
Sat., May 10. Mother's Day (Mexico).
Sun., May 11. Mother's Day (U.S.A.).
Wed., May 14. Maulid el-Nabi (Islamic). Birth of
Mohammed, the founder of Islam, in 571 ce. Not
celebrated in all Islamic communities.
*****
Order the full 2003 Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary,
complete with the entire year's Sanctoral Cycle, at,
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/devotionals.html#Park.
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6. Adam's Last Word:
Spring has well and truly arrived in the Washington
area. My friends who are plagued with pollen allergies
have been suffering, I have been going to work without
a jacket, and green leaves are fast replacing the
blooms on the many flowering trees around the area.
I hear birds singing in the trees outside my house,
there are rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks galore
in my front court, and a red fox ran across the road
in front of me on my way to work the other day. It
reminds me of Easter, resurrection, and new life in
Jesus Christ!
*****
I finally finished the third of four stained glass
windows that I am making for my home church, Holy
Redeemer MCC, College Park, MD. This window is the
Noah's Ark window, in honor of the initial vision
that started the church over five years ago, when
founding pastor Clay Witt called it the Ark Project.
The other windows are the Holy Spirit window and the
Communion window.
I am concentrating on building up our stock of smaller
stained glass items that we carry in our catalog at
Chi Rho Press for a bit, and then will be getting to
work on the next big window project for the church,
the Easter Lily window.
You can see and purchase our other stained glass
designs on the Web site at
http://www.chirhopress.com/products/stainedglass.html
*****
WRITERS! I know you are out there! I need your
500-word faith stories. Please contribute to our
series of faith stories, 'The Journey is Our Home:'
Sharing Our Faith Journeys. Our readers would like
to read about your experiences of faith. Won't you
please write up even a small part of your journey
of faith and submit it to us? Just send your faith
story to Adam@ChiRhoPress.com. You will be blessed
by the exercise, just as you are a blessing to others.
Thank you!
*****
R. Adam DeBaugh, Director, Adam@ChiRhoPress.com.
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and your own purchases! And of course, we covet your
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For all e-mail correspondence, please write
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friends can order using credit cards on our Web page or
through our Canadian distributor, MAP Enterprises, Mary
Ann Pearson, at her Web page, http://www.christiangays.com.
Copyright 2003, Chi Rho Press, Inc.
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