Dear Bishop/Pastor:
Greetings! I
hope all is well with you. I am writing to give you another urgent
update on the Marriage issue in Maryland!
Together we are making a difference ! To date we have delivered
thousands of postcards, sent over 6,000 emails and delivered
hundreds of letters to elected officials to request that they
stand for marriage-one man-one-woman.
As I mentioned in my last update, this week could very well be the
week the vote is taken on Marriage in the House. The gay community
is working hard to communicate the separation in the ranks with
black pastors and the Governor is now going after the Republicans
very aggressively to gain votes.
Article about Republicans.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/same-sex-marriage-backers-courting-maryland-republicans/2012/02/10/gIQAnHyD9Q_story.html
Article about Coates in Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/speaking-out-for-same-sex-marriage-law-black-minister-stands-apart/2012/02/12/gIQA8jj5BR_story.html
In
the Washington Post Delman Coates is highlighted as the stand
alone pastor supporting same-sex marriage. (See below)
An excerpt from the Washington Post article. ..
Coates, a Richmond native who holds a doctorate from Columbia
University and also studied at Morehouse College and Harvard
University, the decision to back same-sex marriage legislation is
grounded in theology and civil law. He said that those who claim
the Bible abhors homosexuality are misreading the text. Instead,
he said, his study of theology and the Bible in original, ancient
languages suggests that sexual abuse, violence and exploitation
are being condemned.
In addition, I have attached a letter that I received last
night while in a delegate’s office that was being distributed by
the gay community advocates. This letter was hand delivered to all
the delegates and mentioned the affirmation by Dante Hickman and
Delman Coates for Same Sex Marriage.
Pastor, we are winning this battle, however, the Governor and
now a few pastors are starting to try and sway people. A very
concentrated effort is needed this week in the House of Delegates.
We NEED YOU! This week we need the following:
Priority # 1
PASTORS AND CHURCH MEMBERS TO COME TO ANNAPOLIS
Show your presence in Annapolis. Bring your meeting to
Annapolis! Bring a bus, a group, a van, or a car out this week on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to pray and meet with your
delegates and urge them to support marriage! We need a consistent
stream of people in Annapolis this week! We will have material for
you to distribute.
The best times are as follows:
TUESDAY-THURSDAY: 8:30am-10am, 11am-1pm, 4:30pm -5:30pm
FRIDAY: 8:30am-9:30am ; 11:30am-1pm
Go to the House of Delegates and someone will be there waiting to
direct you during those times. They will be waiting for you near
the steps directly across from the Security check point in the
main lobby.
Priority# 2
Go to
WWW.MARYLANDMARRIAGEALLIANCE.COM and click on the TAKE ACTION
Button and call or send an email to your elected representative.
(Delegate and Senator)
Priority# 3
We need to know if you are available
for a press conference tomorrow at 11AM in Annapolis? We are
working on possible press conferences with pastors this week in
Baltimore/Prince George’s County. Please let us know if you are
willing to participate ASAP.
Focus/Emphasis Delegate List
Bob Costa-District 33b
Veronica Turner- District 26 Tiffany Alston- District 26 Nathaniel
Oaks-District 41
Jill Carter- District 41
Shawn Tarrant- District 40
Frank Conaway- District 40
Pam Beidle- District 32
Shirley Natan Pulliam- District 10
Rev. Derek McCoy
The Maryland Marriage Alliance is a grassroots, non-partisan,
interfaith coalition dedicated to preserving the traditional
definition of marriage in Maryland law.
Paid for by Maryland Marriage Alliance
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