February 12; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

March 11; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

April 8; 4:00 PM, Social Hall

May 13; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

June 2000

June 10; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

June 24-July 1

July 8; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

August 3-6

MLP conference held in conjunction with this event).

August 12; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

September 9; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

October 14; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

November 11; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

December 2; 5:30 PM, Place TBA

Unity in Diversity Conference

Come to the February 12th meeting of the chapter to learn more about the Unity in Diversity conference as a part of our discussion about the chapter's relationship with the Presbytery of Los Ranchos! You can view the conference materials online at http://horeb.pcusa.org/oga/diversity/. You can also order the hardcopy version for free at the same URL.

Local Chapter News

Commentary

Opportunities for Advocacy

By Susan Eaton

In March of 1998, I went to Houston to a National Advocacy Conference sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Our St. Mark Peace and Justice Commission had tried many ways to try to encourage its members to utilize the Stewardship of Public Life materials out of the Washington Office and to do more advocacy. They provide good background information but more than one can consume in a few minutes at the coffee hour after church. I have remained committed, but I am still searching out ways to get more people involved.

The first primer for Presbyterian advocacy is Jim Watkins' handbook, Making a Difference in the Public Arena. He is also available to give workshops and the Peacemaking Program pays staff and travel costs with the Presbyteries asked only to provide lodging and food for the trainer.

The lawmakers who were present in Houston said that they paid little attention to form letters. Personal contact either in the local office or in D.C. were most effective with personal letters following, including personal statements as to why you were concerned about certain legislation or issues. Some other highlights of the conference included forming small groups to discuss issues and seeking a high trust level, listening, being honest, trying to treat everyone as important, and neither demonizing nor denying opponent's faith. Responsibility also lies with the majority to question themselves as to how they are part of the problems. Other things to remember are that conflict is a sign of growth. Share stories, know your facts, prioritize and focus, and put a human face on the situation.

The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church publishes the Stewardship of Public Life quarterly issues that include an Urgent Action and background material in the following areas: Ecology and Environment; Middle East; Civil Rights & Religious Liberties; Health Care; Asia Pacific, Africa; Women and Families; Global Security; Health Care and Latin America. You can subscribe to these for $10 for the first network and $5 for each additional by sending a check payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and send to: Central Receiving Service, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202. You can also sign up for free action alerts on any number of the above by clicking on the Washington Office website at http://www.pcusa.org/pcusa/nmd/wo/index.htm or link to this site from http://www.pcusa.org. Another site that is good to bookmark is http://congress.nw.dc.us/wnd/index.pl. This is an inclusive site with links to the president, vice-president, congress, a guide to the congress, a guide to the state legislators, a guide to the media (so you can easily send off letters to the editors, which are considered very effective especially if your congressperson doesn't agree with you), issues and legislation.

Finally, mark your calendar for Saturday morning, March 11th, and plan to attend the free Great American Write-In at the University Club at the University of California Irvine. Here over 40 tables will be set up with sample letters and background information on as many issues. Bring your own stationery or use that provided at the writing tables.

From Pamela Byers,
Executive Director, Covenant Network of Presbyterians

Dear Friends,

Most of you have probably seen that the Vermont Supreme Court recently held that holy unions between persons of the same gender ought to carry the same civil benefits as marriages between heterosexuals. The Vermont legislature will need to craft some sort of legislation responding to this ruling. As you can imagine, this is stirring up great interest in every camp.

Covenant Network's board has not had occasion to take a position on the question of holy unions. But I know many of you do have carefully thought-out ideas on this matter. So I am forwarding to you the message below, which was sent on to me by our friends at Christ Church, Burlington, among others.

Some of you will remember that the 1996 G.A. (yes! Albuquerque!) adopted the following resolution:

Here's the message from Vermont. Thanks for your attention!

As you may know, the Supreme Court of Vermont recently ruled that committed homosexual relationships should have the same rights and privileges afforded to married straight couples. There are over 1,000 rights that come with marriage which are currently denied to gay couples--including hospital visitation/medical decisions, rights of survivorship, filing joint tax returns, etc. etc.

This is a VERY important first step towards equality in America.

However, the Governor's office of Vermont has been BOMBARDED with phone calls by anti-gay individuals opposing the recent decision--primarily fueled by the "Doctor" Laura radio program which gave out the phone number.

I called the Governor's office, and spoke to the secretary, who was VERY nice but said that I was one of only a HANDFUL of callers who SUPPORT this huge step towards equal rights.

Please take the time to contact the Gov's office and register your support in this vital issue.

Governor Howard Dean's office: (802) 828-3333 8AM-4PM. FAX (802) 828-3339

or e-mail the Lieutenant Governor, Douglas A. Racine at ltgov@leg.state.vt.us with a brief note to register your support.

Thanks!

Pamela Byers
pambyers@covenantnetwork.org