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Anti-gay demonstrator Fred Phelps comes to Woodbury, Minnesota - and raises funds for diversity programs


[5-9-01]


Woodbury High School, in the St. Paul suburb where your Web-Weaver toils, was the site Monday morning of a demonstration by the Rev. Fred Phelps, the notorious leader of the group that visits churches and meetings (including last year's General Assembly) carrying their "God hates fags" placards.



It all began when a Woodbury student wore a tee-shirt to school a few weeks ago proclaiming "Straight Pride." Asked to change his shirt or leave the school because it might be offensive to some students, the young man, sophomore Elliott Chambers, and his family eventually brought suit against the school for its violation of freedom of expression.



One reason for Phelps' interest was the fact that the high school is making an effort to provide "safe rooms" where gay students can talk with faculty members. (This is a fairly recent effort; a few years ago the school was sued by a number of students for anti-gay harassment which was not prevented or otherwise discouraged.)



Respond Minnesota, a Twin Cities gay and lesbian support group, solicited pledges from people of any amount per minute of Phelps' protest, which lasted less than an hour and a half. The pledges yielded nearly $2,000, which will be given to the school's Student Council to support diversity programs.



The major Twin Cities media have largely ignored the protest, but there's a report in the Woodbury Bulletin.

 

 

Some blogs worth visiting


Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

After fifteen years of scholarship and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and thoughtful community.


Witherspoon’s Facebook page

Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’s Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!

You can post your own news and views, or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you.


John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

Theological and philosophical reflections on everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a member of the Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in Flushing, NY.

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening up.


Got more blogs to recommend?

Please send a note, and we'll see what we can do!

 

Plan now for ...

GHOST RANCH PEACE & JUSTICE WEEK
July 27 - August 2, 2009

Now's the time to make reservations to be a part of the 2009 Peace & Justice Week at Ghost Ranch, July 27-August 2. There are eight seminars to choose among, including the Witherspoon-sponsored class “New Eyes for Peace & Justice from the World Church” led by Clifton Kirkpatrick.

More
information >>

 

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Check out our report from the Conference
on
Terror, Torture,
and Security

 

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