justice | RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNITIES

March 27, 2010

Support Safe Schools

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: church within a church, dignity, ecclesia, family values, inclusion, justice, LGBTQ health, marriage equality, ministry development, suicide prevention |
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A 2007 study found that in NY State, 64% of LGBT High School students reported feeling unsafe in their schools. Help make schools in your area safer by supporting LGBT youth and the agencies that serve them…and advocate for school change by supporting organizations like GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and/or legislation to make LGBT students safe like the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).

For more information on LGBTQ health issues visit Rainbow Access Initiative and choose from the menu options on the left side. Of particular interest might be the section on obtaining the services of culturally-competent health providers – it explains why special attention is needed for LGBTQ healthcare in the first place.

For more information on spititual health for LGBTQ visit CWAC’s website or click on the “email us” button and contact me. CWAC’s anti-heterosexist, anti-racist stand for spiritual justice might just provide the safe place you’re looking for.

March 24, 2010

Report Violence

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: church within a church, Community Building, family values, justice, LGBTQ health, mental health, ministry development |
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LGBT people are often the target of violence—from strangers and even at the hands of people we love and trust. Domestic Violence occurs in about 1 in 4 LGBT relationships. 20% of respondents in a recent study reported experiencing a sexual orientation based personal or property crime, and another recent report showed an increase of LGBTQ related sexual assault of 171%!! If you or anyone you know is dealing with any kind of violence, whether physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual, contact an LGBT-affirming anti-violence program in your community.

For more information on LGBTQ health issues visit Rainbow Access Initiative and choose from the menu options on the left side.

For more information on spititual health for LGBTQ visit CWAC’s website or click on the “email us” button and contact me.

March 21, 2010

Support an LGBT-friendly Faith Community

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, church, church within a church, Community Building, equality, inclusion, justice, koinonia, ministry development |
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In a 2009 study, 60% of LGBT adults described faith as “very important” in their lives. However, many LGBT adults have a shared history of spiritual disillusionment due to discrimination at the hands of religious communities and leaders. If faith is part of what keeps you healthy, begin the process of reconnecting with your spirituality by seeking out an LGBT religious community or affirming congregation in your area.

March 20, 2010

Be Cancer-Conscious

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: church within a church, Community Building, ecclesia, family values, justice, LGBTQ health, ministry development |
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Getting regular routine screenings for different kinds of cancers (breast, testicular, lung, cervical, ovarian, prostate, colorectal and skin) may help to find them early when treatment is most likely to work best. Routine screenings and exams are important for everyone, but many LGBT individuals may have increased risk for certain cancers and are often less likely and less able to access adequate health care. Learn more about the importance of routine screenings and early detection, and locate a health care facility near you that provides cancer screenings in a safe, LGBT-affirming environment.

March 7, 2010

Reflecting on the Past Year

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, christianity, church within a church, Community Building, covenant, definition of church, dignity, ecclesia, equality, family values, inclusion, justice, koinonia, LGBTQ, ministry, ministry development, theology, tradition |
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THOUGHTS FROM THE PARTICULAR ….

We live and work in the reality of everyday struggle and celebration. Life on our street is in touch with people wondering how we will pay our bills, especially the utilities. We wonder if we can get employment before we fall too far behind in debt. Jobs are hard to find; even harder is keeping the car repaired. The on street parking is an altogether different challenge with every-other-day restrictions dedicated to the 9:00 o’clock hour. A lot of the time we spend our physical energy on transportation. Our homes belong to landlords many of whom are slow or even unresponsive to our requests, quite like the police when we call about an altercation. And the density of families and neighbors living close together brings relationship issues through the walls with easy flow to the street.

It might be easiest just to ignore the neighbors for pseudo privacy, a way to focus attention on my own issues. I may dress up and leave my street – get miles away – leaving the problems of the day behind for a moment, possibly to go worship. But more easily I can shut my door, turn up my noise and drown out the disappointments, fears of failure; my hopes exhausted just like my body by too much exercise in reaching for opportunities just beyond my grasp. (more…)

March 6, 2010

Support LGBT Teens

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: church, church within a church, Community Building, dignity, ecclesia, family values, justice, LGBTQ health, mental health, suicide prevention |
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LGBT youth face great challenges. They are at greater risk for academic failure because schools are often unsafe. Lack of support often leads to feelings of isolation and depression; and LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide. Offer support to local organizations that provide services to LGBT youth. Mentor and model a sensitive and encouraging approach with LGBT teens in your own life. If you know an LGBTQ youth in need of help, connect them resources like The Trevor Project at 1-866-4UTREVOR or http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

For more information on LGBTQ health issues visit Rainbow Access Initiative and choose from the menu options on the left side. Of particular interest might be the section on “Suicide”.

March 5, 2010

Know Your Health Insurance Options

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: church within a church, Community Building, dignity, ecclesia, family values, justice, LGBTQ health, ministry development |
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Studies show 1 in 4 gay and lesbian adults have no health insurance (twice the rate of heterosexuals). The rate is even higher for our trans sisters and brothers. Lack of health insurance should be a serious concern for all in the U.S., but even more so for LGBT. Learn about the kinds of insurance that might available to you and those you love—and support and advocate for health coverage that includes LGBT people and their families.

For more information on LGBTQ health issues visit Rainbow Access Initiative and choose from the menu options on the left side.

For more information on spititual health for LGBTQ visit CWAC’s website or click on the “email us” button and contact me.

March 3, 2010

Care for LGBT Seniors

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, church within a church, Community Building, dignity, ecclesia, equality, family values, justice, LGBTQ health, mental health |
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LGBT people come in all ages…and our community’s seniors are an important part of who we are, but services for them are often lacking.

Around 75% of LGBT seniors live alone, compared to 33% of their straight neighbors. Unlike heterosexual elders, 4 out of 5 of whom have children, 90% of LGBT seniors have no children. When 40% of straight seniors have no life partner, that figure jumps to 80% for LGBT. Add to that the fact that 50% of LGBT seniors do not feel welcome at senior centers when they are open about their sexuality, and it becomes easy to see why senior LGBT health outcomes are so negatively affected by isolation and loneliness.

Find a group for LGBT seniors in your area or a program that serves them and donate your time, money and/or support.

For more information on LGBTQ health issues visit Rainbow Access Initiative and choose from the menu options on the left side. In particular, the tap for “Aging Issues” may be eye-opening.

For more information on spititual health for LGBTQ visit CWAC’s website or click on the “email us” button and contact me

December 24, 2009

The Celebration of Christmas

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, christianity, church, church within a church, Community Building, ecclesia, inclusion, justice, koinonia, ministry, ministry development, tradition |
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This year we celebrated Christmas at the Damien Center on December 19. The gathering reminded us of the Magnificat.

God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts …

We gathered as the Damien Center comfortable in our intent to share.

… God has brought down the powerful from their thrones …

For weeks and even until the very night before, people brought from what they had.

… and lifted up the lowly …

There were tables set with room enough for all to sit face to face.

… filled the hungry with good things …

The food served was creatively prepared to satisfy and nourish.

… and sent the rich away empty …

Every guest, even those unexpected, left with gifts.

… in fulfillment of God’s promise.

June 14, 2009

Family Diversity Day at NY State Museum

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: church within a church, Community Building, dignity, ecclesia, equality, family values, justice, koinonia, ministry |
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As part of Pride Week in the Capital District of NY, Family Diversity Day was celebrated on Saturday, June 13, with activities and information tables at the State Museum of NY. Families of all shapes, sizes, colors and couplings demonstrated what true diversity of love and family values looks like. Jenna represented the Trevor Project, a non-profit engaged in many efforts to save young people’s lives, especially LGBT youth at risk of suicide. Along with Jenna were Jenn, a co-worker with Jenna, and her husband, Andy.

Jenna also got to speak with some folks about CWAC and possible alternatives for worship. We are confident that the time is approaching for making a new start of some kind.

Many contacts were made with teachers, youth group leaders and other interested parties about holding Lifesaving workshops – an educational function of the Trevor Project that seeks to educate young people about suicide prevention, peer support and triggers that can lead to suicidal thoughts. Every time a training occurs, more people become educated enough to help prevent suicide in our greatest asset – our young people.

June 8, 2009

Today is the Call-In Day

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, ecclesia, equality, inclusion, justice, koinonia, marriage equality, same-sex marriage |
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Statewide Marriage Call-In Day TODAY – It’s Time to Act!

Today, Monday, June 8, is the New York Statewide Marriage Call-In Day. You need to make contact because the New York State marriage equality bill has been passed by the Assembly, and it’s now time for the State Senate to vote on the bill.

You need to get on the phone today to call your NY State Senator and tell them that you want them to support and pass the marriage bill NOW. Tomorrow, anti-marriage forces from the religious right will be lobbying in Albany against our rights. We need to make sure that your Senator hears from you so that opposition voices aren’t the only ones being heard—we’re in the final stretch and it is vital that they hear from you TODAY.

To read talking points and to find a link to your senator’s phone number, click here.

May 20, 2009

Letty Russell Speaks Again

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, change, church, church within a church, Community Building, covenant, definition of church, ecclesia, inclusion, justice, koinonia, ministry, ministry development, religion, theology, tradition |
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“The community of faith and struggle, then, is the community that makes use of its critically reflected experience of struggle in the process of traditioning by which it selects from the still living and evolving past of scriptural and church tradition as a means of shaping an alternate future. Its appeal to Tradition in no way is a denial of its own process and experience but rather a faith affirmation that God is present in and through their struggle for justice and discernment of the meaning of the gospel message. Nor is it a denial of the need for careful critical thought as the community uses the theological spiral to make connections between its ongoing life and its continuing work of advocacy and welcome for those on the margins of church and society.”

Then, the “measure of faithfulness” is demonstrated in how the most vulnerable participate in church community over and against a non-reflective tradition.

May 1, 2009

Opportunities

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, change, christianity, church, church within a church, Community Building, covenant, dignity, ecclesia, equality, genda, inclusion, justice, koinonia, marriage equality, ministry, ministry development, religion, same-sex marriage, theology |
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Opportunities continue to present themselves, more so now since my participation in E&J Day at the capital on 4/28. It is a practice that helped me remember my worth as a minister and my ability to nurture my passion in engaging with a community in servant leadership. Andy and I represented the church as a body living in the community of love, nurturing each other.

May 1, 2009

Equality & Justice Day – NY State Capital

Posted by Rev Jenna Zirbel under Uncategorized | Tags: affirming, covenant, dignity, equality, genda, inclusion, justice, marriage equality, religion, same-sex marriage |
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On April 28, I participated in a rally for equality and justice at the New York state capital with 2000 people. We were an incredibly diverse crowd, including constituents from the far reaches of the state. We spoke with those who have been voted into office to represent us. We spoke so that those representatives would recognize the common interests and the needs of the people of New York state. We know the stories of our lives shed light on why passing into law GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act), Dignity (Dignity for all Students Act) and same-sex marriage is the way to opening civil rights to LGBT in order that we all might flourish.

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