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Outreach/Service

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Completed Events of Interest to the More Light Committee

2006 Events:

January 7 and 8	Sat. and Sun.,  4:00 pm.  Boar's  Head and Yule Log Festival at Third Church
February 10 – 12	More Light Presbyterians (MLP) Regional Conference in Nashville, TN
February 11	Day of Reflection sponsored by Fortunate Families
February 11	Sweetheart Ball at the Riverside Convention Center
February 12	Pat Fox: Celtic Church Model of Inclusion, 5 PM (Dignity and Integrity)
February 17 – 20	MLP Board Meeting in Santa Fe, NM
February 27	More Light Committee Meeting at Third Church, 7:30 PM
March 17-18	That All May Freely Serve Leadership Conference (Atlanta, GA),
March 26	Candace Chellew-Hodge at Lake Ave. Baptist Church, 7:30  PM
March 27	Candace Chellew-Hodge at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School, 10:30AM
March 27	More Light Committee Meeting at Third Church, 7:30 PM
April 3	Speakers Bureau for Pride in the Pulpit at CRCDS - session I, 6-8 PM
April 4	Speakers Bureau for Pride in the Pulpit at CRCDS - session II, 6-8 PM
April 9	Palm Sunday - worship services at 8:30 AM (chapel) and 10:45 AM
April 16	Easter Sunday - worship services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
April 21-23	Presbyterian Men’s Conference in Chicago, IL
April 23	Pre-GA Adult Faith Program on divestment/investment in Israel/Palestine
April 24	More Light Committee Meeting at Third Church, 7:30 PM
April 27	Lamda Network Event at the Riverside Convention Center
April 29	Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Wine Tasting Event
May 7	Officer Ordination and Installation at Third Church
May 8	Equity and Justice Day in Albany, NY
May 9	Empire State Pride Agenda Conference in Albany, NY
June 15-22	General Assembly (GA) in Birmingham, AL
June 17	Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Concert at Hochstein
June 26	More Light Committee Meeting at Third Church, 7:30 PM

2005 Events:

July 10, 2005 - Sunday, Gay Pride worship service and picnic at Genesee Valley Park.

July 13, 2005  - Wednesday,  Movie Night: "Let's Get Real", Youth talk about how to stop bullying in schools.

July 16, 2005 - Saturday, Gay Pride Parade organized by The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley.

August 14, 2005 - Sunday, 7:30 AM, Happy Bunch Road Trip to Chautauqua.

October 23, 2005 -   Sunday, 9:30 AM, Jim Moore, former President of NY State Bar Assn, speaking on "Marriage in New York".

October 23, 2005 - Sunday, 10:45 AM, Third Presbyterian Church, Scott Anderson, Director of Wisconsin Council of Churches, preaching on "What Makes a Marriage".
Sunday, 12:15 PM - Sermon follow up lunch at the church.

October 23, 2005 - Sunday, 7:30 PM, Third Presbyterian Church, Scott Anderson, Director of Wisconsin Council of Churches speaking on "The Same Gender Marriage Debate"

October 30, 2005 - Sunday, 9:30 AM, Rev Norman Kansfield and daughter, Ann sharing stories on reprimand Norm received from the church for officiating at gay daughter's wedding.

2004 Events:

January 11, 2004 - Sunday,  4:00 pm.  Boar's  Head and Yule Log Festival at Third Church.  Dating back to 14th century England, this festival procession  includes much pageantry, thrilling music by the choir, includes much pageantry, thrilling music by the choir,and much carol singing by choir and audience,accompanied by organ and instruments.  The performance will be followed by a reception hosted by the royal court, with goodies that will include plenty of mince tarts, plum pudding, and a wassail bowl!

January 23,  2004 - Friady, 7:00 PM. Join us for board games at David's.

March 28, 2004 -  Sunday, 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM, Third Presbyterian Church, Anna Carter  Florence,  Hudnut and Diversity Preacher, will  preach at both worship services. The title of her sermon is "The Ethiopian Eunuch".  Dr. Florence is  Professor of Preaching and Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur GA

March 28, 2004 -  Sunday, 7:30 PM, Third Presbyterian Church,  East Ave at Meigs St. (217-6513, cmark@thirdpresbyterian.org) Anna Carter Florence will speak on Biblical images on marriage and relationships as part of an annual series on "Christian Faith and the LGBT Experience".  The title of her talk is"Where You Go, I will Go". Dr. Florence is Professor of Preaching and Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur GA. There is no charge for the lecture. A reception will follow the presentation.

Phone ahead for sign-languare or child care.  Wheelchair accessible. Induction looped. Additional Sponsors: Lake Avenue Baptist Church, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, The Program for the Study of Women and Gender in Church and Society, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

March 29, 2004 -  Monday, 10:30 AM, Professor Anna Carter Florence will  speak at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 South Goodman Street.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

April 11, 2004 - Easter; worship services at Third Presbyterian Church at 9 AM and 11 AM

April 23 (Friday) – Social Event - Video night  "Let’s Get Real" (about bully at schools) and "It’s In the Water". 

May 15 (Saturday) – Social Event - Group Day at Lilac Festival – may park and congregate at the Frohman’s (78 Mulberry St.) at 2 pm.

May 9, 16, 23, 2004 - Adult Education Series on "Call to Action; Gay Pride Agenda on Marriage". 
    May 9 -  Stories from gay couples married in Canada
    May 16 - Local political climate re gay marriages
    May 23 - Discussion about gay marriages and where we are as a church

May 20-22, 2004 -  More Light Conference, Kansas City, KS. For schedule and location of conference, consult the More Light Presbyterian site.  The conference is being jointly sponsored by That All May Freely Serve and More Light Presbyterians.

June 12 - 19, 2004 - Word and World Conference, "The Struggle for Inclusion and Justice"; Nazareth College;  Third Presbyterian Church is a co-sponsor.

July 11, 2004 - Gay Pride worship service and picnic at Genesee Valley Park.

July 17, 2004 - Gay Pride Parade organized by The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley.

October 24, 2004 - Sunday, 7:30 PM, Lake Avenue Baptist Church, 70 Ambrose St.; Mark D. Jordon will speak on "The Myths of Christian Marriage and the Perils of Queer Romance". Dr. Jordon is a professor of religion at Emory University. A Roman Catholic and openly gay, he is the author of The Invention of Sodomy in Christian Theology and the forthcoming Blessing Same Sex Unions.

This free program is part of an ongoing series, Christian Faith and LGBT Experience, and is sponsored by Lake Ave. Baptist Church, Third Presbyterian Church, Downtown United Presbyterian Church and the Program for the Study of Women & Gender in Church in Society - Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.  Reception will follow.  There is ample parking behind 57 Ambrose Street, near the intersection of Lake Ave., Ambrose St. and Jones Ave about 1/2 mile north of the Kodak Office Bldg.

October 25, 2004 - Monday, 10:30 AM, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 S. Goodman St.  Mark D. Jordon will speak on "Should There Be a Queer Theology?". The lecture and the following discussion are free and open to the public. Dr. Jordon is a professor of religion at Emory University. A Roman Catholic and openly gay, he is the author of The Invention of Sodomy in Christian Theology and the forthcoming Blessing Same Sex Unions.

November 4-6, 2004 - Thursday - Saturday , 2004 Covenant Network Conference "Made in the Image of God; Thinking Theologically about Sex", Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL; consult the Covenant Network of Presbyterians web page for program and registration details.

2003 Events:

February 9, 2003 -  9:00 am; Ralph Carter, John Wilkinson, Beth Sieber-Ford , “Paths Toward a Common Vision; A Conversation  Among Leaders in the Covenant Network, More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve” 

February 16, 2003 – ‘More Light On’ Jeopardy

February 23, 2003 – Darrell Lance “What Does the Bible Really Say? Do They Say What We Think They Say?”

March 2, 2003 – “Am I a Heterosexist?”; Gale Myers will use the questionnaire that Rod Frohman’s daughter helped develop in one of her college courses to help us discuss what it means to be a 'homosexual person' in today's society. 

June 8, 2003 - Reflections on the 2003 General Assembly held in Denver, CO.  John Wilkinson and Ralph Carter will make presentations and answer questions. 

July 13, 2003 – Rochester Gay Pride Worship and Picnic sponsored by the Gay Alliance

July 14, 2003 - Gay Pride Week Movie Night at Third Presbyterian Church 

July 19, 2003 - Rochester's Gay Pride Parade.  A group from Third Presbyterian Church will line up on Prince St. near East Ave. at 3:30 PM. 

August 14, 2003 - Witness Our Welcome Conference,   Philadelphia, PA.  Multidenominational event. All are welcome.  For more details see the conference web page at www.WOW2K.org. 

October 3- 12, 2003 -  Image Out Film Festival. For schedule and location of films, consult the Image Out Film Festival site.

October 5, 2003 -  "Brother Outsider" movie, Dryden Theater, 12 noon.

October 26, 2003 -  7:00 PM, "Christian Faith and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Experience" with Mary Ann Tolbert, Downtown United Presbyterian Church. Dr. Tolbert is the Biblical studies professor and founding Director of the Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies in Religion and Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA. 

November 1, 2003 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Fall Spirituality Retreat, "A Prayer for All of Us". Lisa Henry, Judy Pidcock and John Wilkinson will lead this retreat based on John Irving's novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany. 

November 14 - 7:30 - 9 PM, Movie and pizza party is in the Parlor of Third Presbyterian Church. The film is the "over-the-top" comedy, "But I'm a Cheerleader!" The movie is rated 'R'.

November 9, 2003 -  9 - 10 AM, Third Presbyterian Church. "When Cultures Clash". What is it about gay culture that the mainstream church member finds offensive or unsettling? What is it about church culture that gays and lesbians find offensive or unwelcoming?  Help us bridge the cultural divide during this lively discussion featuring Chuck Bowen, Executive Director of the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, along with some of our own Third Church members. 

November 16, 2003 -  9 - 10 AM, Third Presbyterian Church. "Is Marriage a Good Thing?". Hit hard the last 25 years by the AIDS epidemic among family and friends, more and more gay men and lesbians are openly living as couples and parenting children.  Is marriage a good thing that should be encouraged or is it patriarchal and passe?  Where's the Presbyterian Church and Third Church in particular on this?  Come wrestle with these questions with Rod Frohman, Associate Pastor for Church in Society, along with local attorney, Jennifer Gravitz,  as well as members and friends of Third Church in a panel discussion 

November 21, 2003 -  9 - 10 AM, Third Presbyterian Church. "Theology and Gay Culture".   Dr. H. Darrell Lance with the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, formerly a professor at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, offers theological and biblical perspectives on the clash of cultures associated with the church and the LGBT concerns.

December 8, 2003 -  More Light Christmas Party.

December 12 - 13, 2003 -Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, Hochstein Music School, 7:30 PM. Rochester City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.  Special music with glitz and glamour along side elves, snowmen, dancing toy soldiers, and the Grinch. 

December 14, 2003 - Sunday, 2:30 PM.  Join us for a Christmas party at a More Light committee member's home. Check with a More Light Committee member for details.

December 24, 2003 - Wednesday, 4:30pm.  Festival of the Nativity (traditional candlelight service) at Third Presbyterian Church.

December 24, 2003 - Wednesday, 11:00 PM. Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at Third Presbyterian Church. 

2002 Events

March 17, 2002 - GA Moderator, Jack Rogers, preached at Third Presbyterian Church 

May 18-19, 2002 - Theologian in Residence, Pat Youngdahl, Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon events 

May 18, 2002 -  Celebrate  the 21 Year Journey, Saturday evening dinner and party.

May 24-26, 2002 - More Light Presbyterians Conference in Raleigh, NC 

June 16-22, 2002 - PC (USA) General Assembly (GA), Columbus, Ohio 

June 23, 2002 - GA Follow Up at Third Church- Sunday noon - John Wilkinson and Ralph Carter 

July 13, 2002 – Rochester Gay Pride Parade; line up on Brunswick at 5:30 pm sponsored by the Gay Alliance

July 14, 2002 – Rochester Gay Pride Picnic sponsored by the Gay Alliance

July 21, 2002 – More Light Brunch Bunch – 12:30 pm 

August 18, 2002  – More Light Brunch Bunch – 12:30 

September 15, 2002 – More Light Brunch Bunch, 12:30 pm 

October 20, 2002  – More Light Brunch Bunch – 12:30 pm 

October 27, 2002  – Image Out File Festival Begin 

2001 Events

Feb. 4, 2001 - Homophobia Hurts All Youth; Monroe County Update, 9 - 9:50 am, Third Church 

Feb. 11, 2001 - Homophobia Hurts All Youth; US Education Models, "It's Elementary" video followed by discussion, 9:15 - 10:15 am, Third Church 

March. 31, 2001 - Hot Buttons: Empowering Families and Individuals Against Violence, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, Third Church 

April 22-23, 2001 - The Rev. Mel White (Soulforce) will be at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in a series "Christian Faith and the LGBT Experience" 

April 27 - 28, 2001 - "Becoming the Welcoming Church", a regional conference, sponsored by several churches from Buffalo and Rochester and being held at Third Church, Rochester. See TAMFS Events page for details. 

May 21, 2001 -  Lobby Day in Albany, NY; register for transportation through Empire State Pride Agenda. 

June 3, 2001 - Rochester Aids Walk; register with AIDS Rochester. 

June 6 - 17, 2001 - PC (USA) General Assembly, Louisville, KY 

July 15, 2001 - Rochester Gay Pride Parade 

October 5-13, 2001 - Image Out Film Festival at The Little Theater. (Watch for Third Presbyterian Church welcoming slide during the commercials.) 

October 5, 2001 - More Light Presbyterian's board meeting (MLP) in Raleigh-Durham, NC 

October 21, 2001 - "Rooted in Love ... Growing in Faith" Stewardship luncheon after 10:30 church service. Focus of presentation will be on mission and outreach. 

October 28, 2001, 7:30 pm - David Comstock, author of Gay Theology Without Apology, will speak at Lake Ave Baptist Church, 70 Ambrose St. (intersection of Lake Ave, Ambrose St and Jones Ave.); sponsored by Rochester Community Forum 

October 29, 2001, 11:00 am - David Comstock will speak again at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Remington Lounge.  The lecture is free. Optional luncheon is $5.00. Call 271-1320, Maribelle Reiss for reservations. 

November 1 - 3, 2001 - Covenant Network Conference, Pasadena, CA, "Christ Transforming Culture; Why the Church Matters in the 21st Century" 

November 4, 2001, 9:00 am -Worship Enrichment Seminar, presented by the More Light Committee. Focus will be on 'How Can Our Worship Service Welcome All'. 

November 9 - 10, 2001 - Unity in Diversity Conference 2001: "What Does God Require of Us Now? Living With or Without Amendment B", Westmineter Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY. Contact Margaret Craig at 716-884-9437 (unity@westminster-bflo.org) or Bettyiwan@aol.com. 

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