March 5, 2009
Mar 19th, 2009 by ocfairview
Hello Friends!
I write this unsure about whether or not you’ll actually be able to receive it. You can imagine how out of sorts I feel with the loss of my computer. I’ve had frustrating problems with the lack of having access to my email, but the good thing is that they were able to save my data – the only problem is I can’t quite get to all of it yet! Sigh… there is both frustration and gratitude.
So, even as I feel off kilter without access to my usual information, I still cannot help but feel overjoyed concerning the recent events of the last week! The Jazz for the Journey Lenten worship service we held last Friday was incredible! Talk about good vibrations! The energy in our sanctuary was amazing! Rev. Cliff Aerie and the Oikos Ensemble shared a true ministry with us –and we worshipped like never before! What a way to start the Lenten Season!
I’ve been bursting to share with you about last evening! I wasn’t the only one bursting –our sanctuary nearly busted at the seams with over 400 people present last night! They were crammed in the side room, nearly hanging from the rafters upstairs, sitting on the floor, and standing outside on the patio! Others just gathered in the narthex or stood out in front! All of these hundreds of people came to observe the Eve of Justice with us as we shared stories, prayed for equality and justice, and recommitted ourselves to the fight for equal marriage! The service ended with the masses heading out to the corner with candles in hand. What a sight to see all of Fair and Fairview ablaze! (I turned to faithful Dean Inada and said – “what a difference between the two of us standing on the corner and this!) I was moved to tears multiple times last evening! What an experience.
The Orange County Equality Coalition, CA Faith for Equality, Marriage Equality USAand a host of others sponsored this event as we prepared for the Hearings on Prop 8 that began this morning. I am so grateful to all those who came out. I honestly do not know if I’ve ever been so proud of our congregation and so honored to be your pastor. It is my hope that not only will we have been a sanctuary last night, but that we will continue to be a sanctuary for many – I hope they return to worship with us!
You can read about it in the OC Register. And look for it in the OC Weekly!
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/court-gay-marriage-2325620-state-sex
