What's the Episcopal Church Doing Marching in Pride Parades

Our friend Susan Russell, who blogs over at An Inch at a Time, quoted from last Sunday's Sermon at St. Paul's in Tustin, CA to answer just that. Seeing the church engaging in this evangelism (because that's what it is!) was enough to bring at least one long-lapsed Christian to our doors.

Check it out here.

Meanwhile, the Pride events in our area are as follows:

• Sunday, June 1st - New Jersey Pride in Asbury Park
  The OASIS will be sharing a table with Christ Church: Belleville
  Visit jerseypride.org for details
  
• Week of June 7th - Newark-Essex Pride in Newark
  Visit newarkessexpride.org for a full list of events
• Week of June 22nd - NYC Gay Pride 2008
  OASIS plans TBD - check our website for details
  Visit hopinc.org for a full list of events
• Saturday, August 23rd - Jersey City Pride
  The OASIS will be sharing a table with Christ Church: Belleville
  Visit jclgo.org for details
  

Hiker's Mass & Pot Luck Supper to Celebrate OASIS 19th Anniversary

You are cordially invited to attend the OASIS 19th Anniversary Hiker’s Mass and Pot Luck Supper, to be held Saturday, June 7, 2008. The plan for the day is follows:

• Assemble at 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of St. David's Episcopal Church, 91 Kinnelon Road, Kinnelon NJ (map and directions below)
• We will travel as a group to Shepherd Lake State Park, Ringwood, NJ
• There are two Hiking Trails – one is very easy (about 30 minutes each way), one moderately easy (about 45 minutes each way) – both lead to same destination
• Eucharist will be held at a scenic overlook, The Rev. David DeSmith, Presiding
• Pot luck at St. David’s Church following the hike
• In case of inclement weather the anniversary Eucharist and pot luck will still be held at St. David’s Church and parish hall at 4:00 PM. Check our page or call St. David's at (973) 838-6696 the morning of the event if you are unsure if the event has been changed.

All are welcome!

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TRANSIT OPTION: NJ Transit's 194 bus from New York calls at the Meadtown Shopping Center, which is under a mile from St. David's. You would need to be on the 10:10 a.m. departure from Port Authority to be at the event on time. There is a bus back to the city at approximately 6 p.m. Please contact NJ Transit directly at njtransit.com or 800-772-2222 for details. Schedules are subject to change.

Bishop of San Francisco Comments on Marriage Ruling

The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, has issued the following statement concerning today's California Supreme Court decision regarding same-gender relationships:

Today's Supreme Court decision on same-gender relationships is important because it reflects our baptismal vow to "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being" and our commitment to justice and mercy for all people.

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has been a leader in working for the rights of all people in the State of California, and that work is honored in today's ruling. The canons of our church, under "Rights of the Laity" (Canon 1:17.5), forbid discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disabilities or age. We affirm equal rights for all.

We will continue to advocate for equality in the future and will do so at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which will meet in Anaheim in 2009.

I celebrate and give thanks for this decision of the court and look forward with joy and excitement to a future of justice and mercy for all people in the State of California and the Episcopal Church.

To paraphrase St. Paul, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, gay nor straight in Jesus Christ our Lord.

J. Jon Bruno
Bishop of Los Angeles