Quad Citians Affirming Diversity

 

This year, I will be “joining” Quad Citians Affirming Diversity, the local non-profit founded in the early to mid 1990s by our own Jack and Joyce Wiley. QCAD, as it is known, serves young gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered individuals, as well as older glbt folks (‘gay and gray’).  I believe that it costs $50.00 to become a member.  Additionally, the church, which gives 25% of its cash offering to a local non-profit (a different recipient, voted upon by the congregation, is designated in the spring, summer, and winter), is supporting QCAD this spring.

 

It is appropriate to do so. On the one hand, great strides are being made on a variety of fronts to include sexual orientation in the protected areas of human rights. On the other hand, on February 2^nd, in Massachusetts a violent anti-gay crime was committed in a popular gay bar. The religious right’s response to the remarkable film, Brokeback Mountain has been remarkably homophobic. This homophobia includes the President’s dismissive answer at a recent press conference about whether he had viewed the movie. Hate crimes, religiously-sanctioned homophobia and the local response to the book The Misfits illustrate that organizations like QCAD is still important. I am proud that the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations has been on the forefront of support for all people, regardless of sexual orientation. (http://www.uua.org/obgltc/).  Lest, we be tempted to view glbt folks as merely victims of a discriminatory society, it is worth noting here that glbt participation in our Unitarian Universalist congregations has resulted in new learnings based on gay and lesbian theologies--theologies of the body, theologies of liberation, theologies of ritual renewal. The church universal, to the extent that it rejects glbt ordination, misses out on such new energies.

 

The Civil Rights Forum of Progressive Action for the Common Good, recently sent me this invitation:  It's time to read the new book, Totally Joe!   PACG along with two dozen local social justice and educational sponsors are promoting the Community Read of James Howe’s new book Totally Joe .  A Book Discussion with the author will be held at Davenport West High School Library at 6PM on February 22 just prior to the Safe Schools event at 7 PM in the West High auditorium , Making our Schools Safe for GLBT Students which will include a dramatic presentation by SAU students under the direction of Dr Corrine Johnson and a reading by James Howe, as well as comments by students and parents. James Howe is the author of the popular Bunnicula series, as well as Pinky and Rex and The Misfits.   You'll remember that we were involved in an effort last year to keep The Misfits avaiable for teachers to use in a local school district. We are thrilled to have James Howe coming to our cities to talk to us about his books and safe schools.  Mark your calendars now for Feb 22 and circulate this to   friends, teachers and book lovers.  For more information, contact Cathy Bolkcom at 563-289-4155. That the board saw fit to invite PACG to be housed in our congregation is another source of great pride. We are asked to be responsive to the needs of our time, and you all have done so admirably!

 

On Sunday, February 5^th, Al Staggs, the actor/theologian, was with us to commemorate the 100^th birthday of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He’ll present his play: THE VIEW FROM THE UNDERSIDE on Thursday night (dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.) Show up and pay what you can! Bonhoeffer stands as a challenge to those of us who yearn for justice and peace when he asks that we begin to see the world from the point of view of those who suffer.  These two opportunities afford us a chance to practice seeing with new eyes!

 

Also, look out for opportunities in the coming days and weeks to walk the labyrinth, listen to the blues, listen to chamber music, think about the prophetic imperative within Unitarian Universalism, reflect with one another on the relationship between the arts and spirituality at Soulful Sundowns at the CoffeeHound in Rock Island. So many opportunities to go deeply into the very meaning of our lives, and our life together. Remember: there is no depth, without a way to depth! 

 May it be so!

Roger