I received this via email.
Your presence is requested at an historic event..
On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, Rev. Janet Edwards, PhD.will finally be put on trial by the Pittsburgh Presbytery for conducting a wedding between two women in June 2003. Many of you know Janet and were also at the wedding as all are involved in our VOICES FOR A NEW TOMORROW group. This is the culmination of 18 months of intrigue and silence, pain and elation, during which Janet faithfully kept to her message: Love and commitment is a gift of God.
You are invited to be present during the trial, and at its conclusion, celebrate God's Love and Commitment in worship and during lunch . The celebration will be in the style of the Cosmic Mass with visuals, sound, dancing, silence and ritual. Lunch is open to anyone. Janet "wants the world to come"...and bring their friends.
Here is how we expect the day to unfold:
9:00 Trial --Great Hall at the Priory 614 Pressley St. North Side of Pittsburgh
Press Conference to follow
11:00 Cosmic Celebration of Love and Commitment (Pittsburgh Golf Club- 5280 Northumberland St.
Schenley Park)
12:30 Lunch (Pittsburgh Golf Club)
For those of you unfamiliar with church procedures, a religious institution has the authority to hold "trials" and make decisions based on its own internal policies. When we say "trial" we of course aren't referring to civil law, but church law. Janet's stance of courage in putting her career on the line to speak out on equality and her view of God's affirmation of all families is to be commended. (and feared....she's a powerhouse!) If you can't take the day for this, then at least come for the lunch.
"Feel free to invite anyone."....and if you have someone important living outside of Pittsburgh, invite them, too.
Completmentary travel to Pittsburgh is provided through All Directions Travel. Ask for Jo at 412-566-1710, aldir@eartylink.netTravel . A block of rooms have been reserved at the Hampton Inn on the Boulevard of the Allies in the Oakland neighborhood.
The Post-Gazette has the story here.
[Janet] said she is reminded of Mordecai's words to the biblical heroine Esther, who was chosen to be a queen of Persia at a time when Jews faced genocide.
"He said that perhaps it was for this very moment that you were brought to the position you are in. I very much feel that the circumstances of my life -- both my economic circumstances and the fact that my children are now grown -- have all configured to have me step forward at this moment," she said.
