Ripples - Special Alert (3/31/2009)

Cleveland Famlies First

On December 8, the Cleveland City Council passed legislation to establish a domestic partner registry, to take effect April 1, 2009. Since then, opposition groups in the area have launched an effort to repeal the ordinance.

Cleveland Families Count is campaigning to preserve the registry. Help this effort by signing on to the petition at: www.clevelandfamiliescount.org

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California Vigils for Marriage Equality

Below is information about the upcoming California Supreme Court case regarding Marriage Rights in California and the vigils surrounding it. Please pass this information to your colleagues and networks-- get it on facebook, on your emailings, anywhere you can think of. In particular, we want to ask that those who attend these gatherings do at least two things: 1. Wear religious garb-- if you are clergy, consider wearing clergy attire. 2. Prepare yourself to be interviewed if there is media attending. Think about what you will say that grounds why you are doing what you're doing in your religious tradition. Thanks so much!

Candlelight Vigils for Marriage Equality on March 4
Check http://www.marriageequality.org/ for updates and more information.

On March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hear oral argument on why Proposition 8 should be repealed. The night before this historic moment, we invite supporters of marriage equality, their friends and families, and most especially the 18,000 couples married last year, to join us in a showing of faith and support that love and justice shall prevail.

Note to Clergy: Please wear your clergy attire (collar, stole, shawl, etc) in order to make clear and visible the support of religious leaders.

Locations:

San Francisco - Gather at Market and Castro from 5-6pm for pre-march rally, step off at 6pm, arrive at CA Supreme Court (Civic Center) at 6:30pm for short program. [map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=castro+and+market,+sf&daddr=Market+St+to:350+McAllister+St,+San+Francisco,+CA+94102+%28California+Supreme+Court%29&hl=en&geocode=%3BFX5AQAIdFtez-A%3BFb58QAIdUQ20-CF2QCCDp9ds8Q&mra=ls> ]

Modesto - 7:00 p.m. at 1010 10th Street in Downtown Modesto. Walk to the Court House. Walk kicks off at 7:15ish. Rally at the Courthouse at 7:30 p.m.[map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1010+10th+Street+in+Downtown+Modesto&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.435825,78.398437&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr> ]

San Diego - San Diego will have a community rally with speakers and singing converging on the Hall of Justice at 330 W Broadway, San Diego CA 92101 from 4-6pm . A candle light vigil will then line the streets of Downtown San Diego Starting at 6p m. [map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=330+W+Broadway,+San+Diego+CA+92101&sll=36.329544,-119.314249&sspn=0.011409,0.01914&g=221+S.+Mooney+Blvd.,+Visalia,+CA&ie=UTF8&ll=32.715865,-117.161529&spn=> ]

Stockton - 6:00pm for a vigil program and moment of silence at 7:30pm. Meet at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 2737 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95204 (209) 466-7743 [map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2737+Pacific+Ave+Stockton,+CA+95204&sll=37.771495,-122.426362&sspn=0.022389,0.03828&dirflg=w&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr> ]

Fresno - Gather outside the Fresno County Clerk's Office at 2221 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93721 at 6pm for a vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence.[map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2221+Kern+Street,+Fresno,+CA+93721&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.688268,78.398437&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr> ]

Visalia - Gather at 221 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia CA (Courthouse lawn) from 5:30-7:30pm for a vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence.[map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=221+S+Mooney+Blvd,+Visalia+CA&sll=36.735666,-119.787148&sspn=0.01135,0.01914&g=2221+Kern+Street,+Fresno,+CA+93721&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr> ]

Bakersfield - Gathering in two locations. In Delano, gather at the south end of Cecil Avenue Park on Cecil Avenue from 4-6pm and in Kernville, gather at Circle Park at 5pm.

Roseville - Gather at the Roseville Galleria Mall, 1151 Galleria Blvd from 6-7:30pm for a peaceful candlelight vigil. Meet outside the mall entrance between the Cheesecake Factory (next to the JC Penny) and the Nordstrom’s.[map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1151+Galleria+Blvd+roseville+ca&sll=37.97518,-121.303527&sspn=0.011164,0.01914&g=2737+Pacific+Ave,+Stockton&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr> ]

San Luis Obispo - Gather at the San Luis Obispo Downtown Center at 888 Marsh Street at 5:30pm for a vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence.[map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=888+Marsh+St,+San+Luis+Obispo,+San+Luis+Obispo,+California+93401&sll=38.772203,-121.265856&sspn=0.011041,0.01914&g=1151+Galleria+Blvd+roseville+ca&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=> ]

San Jose - Gather at the intersection of Winchester Boulevard and Stevens Creek Boulevard, at Santanna Row and Valley Fair shopping centers from 6:30 to 8:30pm for a short program.[map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Stevens+Creek+Blvd+%26+Winchest er+Blvd,+Santa+Clara,+Santa+Clara,+California+95117&sll=35.279786,-120.661152&sspn=0.011561,0.01914&g=888+Marsh+St,+San+Luis+Obispo,+San+Luis+Obisp> ]

Sacramento - Gather at the West Steps of the Capital from 5-6pm for pre-march rally. Step off at 6pm. Arrive at California Supreme Court (914 Capital Mall) at 6:30pm for a short program. [map <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=914+Capitol+Mall,+sacramento,+ca&sll=37.323403,-121.950202&sspn=0.011262,0.01914&g=Stevens+Creek+Blvd+%26+Winchester+Blvd,+Santa+Clara,+Santa+Clara,+California+95117&a> ]

Riverside - 7:00pm, vigil at City Hall. [map <http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3900+Main+Street+%E2%80%A2+Riverside%2C+CA+92522&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3RNFA_enUS273US274> ]

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Growing BOLD Registration is open

Registration is now open for our 2009 National Gathering, Growing BOLD. It will be a celebration of Open and Affirming, an exploration of what ONA can be in its fullest expression, and an opportunity for worship, fellowship, celebration and engagement.

Join us June 22–25, 2009, in Grand Rapids, MI, to kick-off the week of General Synod. Many more details are available online, including registration (online or by mail) and hotel/accommodations: www.ucccoalition.org/programs/gathering/

Please spread the word about this event!

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God's Extravagant Welcome
2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 1-800-653-0799 tel; 216-861-0779 tel; 216-861-0782 fax