"It Gets Better" -- A Coming Out Day Message from Susan Russell

Here's the video we recorded Sunday that finally made it up online this morning. I can't think of a better way to honor this anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death than to recommit ourselves to "make it better" for LGBTQ youth at risk. God bless!

ISLAM 101 comes to All Saints Church

A message from All Saints' Rector, Ed Bacon:

“To be religious in the 21st century is to be interreligious – and to be faithfully interreligious is to seek greater understanding about other faiths. Join me in learning more about Islam’s core values of peace, justice and compassion as we begin the Islam 101 adventure together Tuesday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Forum” -- Ed Bacon

All Saints Church has an ongoing commitment to God’s agenda of peace through true community -- and one of the ways we live out that commitment is through interfaith education, dialogue and collaboration. I would like for you to join me this Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m. in welcoming Dr. Laila Al-marayati to the All Saints Forum as the first speaker in our exciting Islam 101 series. Tuesday’s opening event will be followed by other great Muslims scholars, including Dr. Maher Hathout and Jihad Turk.

Dr. Al-marayati is a Palestinian-American physician, an Islamic activist and former presidential appointee to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, where she served for two years after being appointed by President Bill Clinton. She is a person of a profound faith whom I admire tremendously. She certainly has much to offer us, not only in terms of how she uses the Koran in her daily life but also on how she applies its teaching in a way that is both inspirational and transformative.

Do not miss this important opportunity to study Islam as a religion of peace, justice and compassion. For more information contact Abel Lopez at 626.583.2748.

White House Celebrates Archbishop Tutu as "Moral Titan"

With thanks to our friends over at Episcopal Cafe, here is a wonderful video moment with Archbishop Desmond Tutu (from The White House website) and the following "Statement by the President on the Retirement of Archbishop Desmond Tutu:"

It is with deep appreciation that I note Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s retirement from public life today on the occasion of his 79th birthday. This event invites us to celebrate his many accomplishments from which we have all benefited. For decades he has been a moral titan—a voice of principle, an unrelenting champion of justice, and a dedicated peacemaker. He played a pivotal role in his country’s struggle against apartheid and extraordinary example of pursuing a path to forgiveness and reconciliation in the new South Africa.

He has also been an outspoken voice for freedom and justice in countries across the globe; a staunch defender of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons; and an advocate for treatment and prevention programs to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. We will miss his insight and his activism, but will continue to learn from his example. We wish the Archbishop and his family happiness in the years ahead.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 7, 2010

Celebrating the Signing of AB-12

This morning Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB12 in law. This important act will improve the lives of children and youth in California’s foster care system by extending transitional foster care services to eligible youth between 18 and 21 years of age. [photo: Juliana Serrano]

 

“Our foster care youth deserve every opportunity to succeed in life, and extending foster benefits and services through age 21 will help better equip them with the necessary tools,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “AB 12 will ensure our foster youth have access to important resources as they transition into adulthood. I applaud Assemblymembers Bass and Beall for working across the aisle and getting this important legislation passed.”

All Saints staffer and Director of the Office for Creative Connections Juliana Serrano was on hand for the signing this morning at Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services in Los Angeles. This important legislation was supported by the All Saints Foster Care Project. It was also one of our "Faith in Action" Sunday-Actions-on-the-Lawn -- an action that generated over 25% of the letters to the governor supporting the bill.

Congratulations to all who worked so hard to pass this much-needed legislation that will help make love tangible to California's foster children!

For more information on the All Saints Church Foster Care Project visit their website or send an email here.

St. Francis Day 2010 @ All Saints Church!

It was an "all things bright and beautiful" day at All Saints today where the Feast of St. Francis was celebrated with a wonderful sermon about the radical discipleship of Francis as peacemaker and bridge builder -- AND the blessing of MANY beasts on the lawn during the 9am "Eucharist al fresco" celebration.

Take a look at a just a few of the blessed beasts here:



And watch an excerpt from the rector's sermon here:



(See the entire sermon on the All Saints website sermon pages ... due to be posted momentarily.)

Bill Brummel brings "Bullied" to the Rector's Forum on Sunday, October 24

The issue of LGBT youth bullying and suicide continues to lead the news and our hearts are breaking for those young lives damaged, broken and lost. Along with both faith and civic leaders across the nation, All Saints Church is committed to helping make a difference and both challenging and ending homophobic bullying, badgering and violence.

As we continue to explore how and where our voices can make a difference, mark you calendar now for SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 in the All Saints Rector's Forum (10:15 a.m. PDT) for a forum with Bill Brummel, producer of the compelling new documentary "Bullied."

Every day, thousands of gay and lesbian students are verbally and physically harassed in schools. BULLIED centers on the powerful story of Jamie Nabozny, a gay teenage boy, tormented for years by classmates. Jamie fought back, not with his fists but in a courtroom. His historic federal case established that gay and lesbian students have a constitutional right to be free from harassment and bullying.


View the YouTube trailer for "Bullied:"



Plan to join us in the Rector's Forum on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 to hear from the filmmaker, see clips from the film and find out how YOU can be an agent of change to end the bullying of our at risk youth.

Read more about the film on the Teaching Tolerance website.

For more information about the Rector's Forum, contact Maren Tompkins

BREAKING NEWS: Foster Care "Faith in Action" victory in Sacramento!

Just moments ago, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 12!


With this legislation, 1 in 5 youth who “age out” nationally will receive the support of the foster care system to age 21, ending an era of neglect and providing youth in foster care with the same common-sense assistance provided to children from in-tact families. Thousands of relative care providers will participate in the new, federally-funded subsidized guardianship program, providing much needed support that promotes stability among children.

Thank you to everyone who has made this historic moment possible. You made calls, visited Sacramento, wrote letters and together, you sent the message that California can and must do better for its children and youth in foster care.

Thank you again and stay tuned! Much work ahead -- but for the moment, let's be grateful for this step forward for our children -- and take a minute to email the governor and thank him for his support by clicking here!

(To find out more about the All Saints Foster Care Project visit the ASC website.)