Herland Sister Resources

Scriptures have often been distorted to condemn LGBT persons, but increasingly faith communities are speaking out for justice, inclusion and affirmation of all persons. This conference reflects our faithful understandings of scripture and the Spirit as well as our desires to faithfully relate to one another.

Sponsored by:
Cathedral of Hope - OKC
Church of the Open Arms UCC
Epworth UMC
First Unitarian Church
Mayflower Congregational Church
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
Clegg Memorial UMC

These six congregations have made a commitment to be welcoming and affirming of the GLBT community. In order to facilitate a continuing dialogue each of these sponsoring congregations is helping to organize this conference. The conference will include a discussion panel composed of ministers and scholars as well as workshops designed to explore the connections between homosexuality and sacred scripture. Though heavily focused on the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, the conference welcomes other faith traditions and seeks to engage their understandings of homosexuality.

Friday evening, March 5, a panel of religious leaders and scholars will participate in a discussion on their respective understandings of homosexuality and the scriptures of their tradition. The audience at the panel will have an opportunity to submit questions to the panelists. Saturday, March 6, religious leaders, scholars and others will host a variety of workshops. Topics include:

Marriage: What is the Biblical Model?
Sexuality in the Hebrew Scriptures
Coming Out Young; Lesbians: Identity and Relationship Issues
Gay Men: Identity and Relationship Issues
Gender Queer - People Who Don’t Fit
Sexism and Homophobia; Jesus: Humanity and Divinity
Bisexuality
Clobber Passages: What does the New Testament Say about Homosexuality?

Location: Church of the Open Arms UCC, 3131 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, (405) 525-9555

Schedule: Friday 7pm-9 pm; Saturday 8:45 am-3:00 pm Cost $15, includes lunch.

For more Information: Rev. Kathy McCallie - 525-9555 or openarmsok@aol.com

At our Board meeting on Sunday, March 21, 2004, Herland will consider amending our by-laws to add the following, and anyone who wishes may come to the meeting and speak for or against these amendments.

Article VIII: DISSOLUTION: In the event of dissolution of the Corporation for any reason, its assets shall be distributed, in a manner determined by the Board of Directors, to non-profit organizations which have goals consistent with the goals and objectives of the Corporation.

AMENDMENTS: These bylaws may be amended, altered, changed, or repealed by the consensus of the full Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board if notice of the proposed amendment, alteration, or change or repeal be contained in the Herland Voice published immediately prior to said meeting.

The 2003 Midwest Division Champion OKC Lightning women’s football team of the National Women’s Football Association open its 2004 season on Saturday, April 17th at home against the Austin Outlaws. All home games are played at Taft Stadium, located at NW 27th and May, and begin at 7:05 p.m.

The Lightning consists of 41 women dedicated to bringing an NWFA Championship to Oklahoma City. The team is lead by twenty-two returning players and 19 who are new to the roster.

A potent offense that averaged over 30 points a game features a bruising running attack lead by tailback Iliana Calderon and fullbacks Holly Seales and Sunshine Sass. However the passing game is just as effective under the direction of quarterbacks Kim Mitchell, Tammy Raiber and Christy Poage throwing to sure-handed wide receivers Lameshia Roland, Christen Lozano, Ashley Gothard and tight end Lacey Schulz. The offensive line is anchored by Rochelle Ware, Dana Combs, Kris Williams, Mary English and Tammy Bowden.

Leading a defense that surrendered points begrudgingly will be linebackers Shannon Ford, Bo Stefanik, and Brooke Newburn. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be defensive linemen Bendee Zuck, Shonna Jones, Deanna Jones and Mary Arbuckle. Lead by free safety Lisa Rorick, the defensive backfield makes up in speed what it lacks in size. Lisa is joined by speedsters Jessie Worthy, Erika Briseno, Kristie Smith, Tammy Raiber and Phoebe Thurman.

The OKC Lightning also boasts one of the premiere coaching staffs in the league. Head coaches, Coco Bulock and Mike Harris are joined on the sideline by position coaches Bo Dobson, Calvin Bishop, Les Worthen, and Jim Davis. All of these coaches bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the game.

Last year, the Lightning averaged 375 fans per game. This year we want to put 1,000 fans in the stadium and there’s no reason we can’t do that. Ticket prices are affordable, and the entertainment this season will be nonstop. We will have cheerleaders, halftime contests and entertainment, music and top rate football. It’s the best deal in town.

The Lightning plays an exciting all-out brand of football and is intent on bringing a championship home to OKC. Jump on the bandwagon and go for an exciting ride.

And we still need volunteers to work the games. We are still signing up halftime and pre-game entertainment and we need businesses to become our partners in marketing. Anyone interested should contact Donna Morris at 642-9846 or visit our website. The league website is here.

Oklahoma’s Spiritual Walk for Peace is planning an action, in solidarity with people all over the world, on Saturday, March 20, 2004, to memorialize and mourn the one year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.

The event will start at noon at the Episcopal Center, NW 9th and Robinson, in Oklahoma City. Plans are still being finalized, but there will be speakers, music, and a silent march which will be about one mile, down to and around the Murrah Memorial and back to the Center. Speakers are unknown as we go to press, but we do know that the music will be provided by Mary Reynolds. Signs are discouraged, the mood will be one of reflection and peace - “we must be the peace we seek” - rather than protest.

Spiritual Walk for Peace
Mission Statement:

We are a community of diverse individuals and organization energized by spirit and conscience to build non-violently a lasting culture of peace with justice and to offer opportunities for action in Central Oklahoma.

Researchers at the University of Memphis are asking lesbian, bisexual, women-loving-women, or transgendered women who are or have been in a same-sex relationship to complete two surveys that will generate an appreciation of the complexity of same-sex relationships and gender expression. This research team is LGBT-positive and interested in furthering an understanding of the representative experiences of women’s diversity in sexual and gender orientation. The online survey can be accessed at:

https://www.psychdata.net/users/4218survey.asp

This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Memphis (#EO3-250, phone (901)678-2533). Responses are encrypted and stored on a secure server; answers are anonymous and no identifying information is asked. We appreciate your help in promoting this work by sending this information on to others who might be interested.