News from the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance

Contents: December 2005/January 2006

Breathing Life: First Ever Gathering of Disciples Open and Affirming Communities
Registration Deadline January 1st

... Prophesy to these bones, and say to them:
     O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 
          Thus says the Lord God to these bones:
               I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
                                                            Ezekiel 37:4,5

Rachel Frey, co-team leader of GLAD's Open & Affirming Ministry Team, invites all who are interested in Open & Affirming ministries to Breathing Life, February 9-11, 2006, at First Christian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada with these words:

A great location, exceptional personalities, awesome musicians, wonderful worship and lots of folks committed to sharing the ministry of Jesus Christ.

As the Open & Affirming Ministry Team prepares to gather for this historical meeting, we seek your prayers and support so that the Good News of church growth which comes alive in and through Open and Affirming Ministries can be proclaimed.

We are eager to fill our regional settings with fresh air as we reflect upon our mandate found in Ezekiel 37:4-5. Our purpose is to empower faith communities to breathe life into dry bones.

We are confident you will be delighted to be a part of this moment in the history of the Disciples of Christ.

Breathing Life marks the first time ever when all O&A ministries (and potential O&A ministries) within our denomination will come together.

This three-day event will unite our ministries through fellowship and networking; empower our ministries through training and theological grounding; and create change in our church and our world as we return to our communities, ready to live into our call to be "living resources," modeling a truly welcoming ministry that affirms all persons.

Make your plans now to come to this event, and bring representatives from your congregations. The registration fee for the event is only $50 per person, and we will waive the registration fee of the 4th registrant from each congregation.

We ask you to contact five friends right now to make sure they remembered the registration deadline.

The mail-in registration deadline has passed, and the online deadline is approachging quickly, so register soon. You can also learn more about the event and register online at http://www.gladalliance.org/events.html.