This document provides updates from IntegrityUSA on their activities and goals for 2009. It discusses the inauguration of President Obama and hopes for continued progress towards justice and inclusion. It also announces fundraising efforts to support IntegrityUSA's work at the upcoming General Convention, and encourages volunteers to participate. Various programs and initiatives are mentioned, including faith-based community organizing training, efforts to promote marriage equality, and a traveling photo exhibition.

1. 1st Quarter 2009
“Let us march on 'til victory is won”
The Rev. Susan Russell, President
president@integrityusa.org | 626-583-2741
As I write for this issue of the Integrity
InfoLetter, the sounds and signs and
symbols of the historic inauguration of
the 44th President of the United States
echo in the air around me. Arising
above all the great oratory and poetry,
the words of the prayers and pundits,
what I keep hearing loudest are these words from the
great freedom anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing:"
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has led us thus far on our way.
Bishop Gene Robinson and his daughter, Ella, with
It has been impossible over the last few days to not be President Barack Obama during the Inauguration
continually amazed and astounded by the reality of just
how far we have come as a nation toward that goal of An African-American president won't end racism in this
liberty and justice for all. An African-American man has nation any more than a woman Presiding Bishop has
just taken the oath of office as the President of the ended sexism in the Episcopal Church. And a gay bishop
United States. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. And offering the invocation on the steps of the steps of the
then let us get on with it. Lincoln Memorial before a crowd on 400,000 and
Let us get on with the journey toward continuing to (eventually!) on national television didn't end the
fulfill the promise of this historic inauguration—a systemic homophobia that infects both our country and
journey toward justice which the historic moments of our church.
January 2009 are for us a life-giving, hope-renewing But oh my dears—what a moment it was! And what a
oasis. But let us not delude ourselves that this oasis is grace it is for us pause and give thanks for how far our
our destination. It is not. God has led us on our way—even as we gird our loins
The God who has led us thus far on our way has miles for the next steps on the journey. The work ahead of us
for us to go before we are done. There will be some in this New Year is partnering with civic allies to move
more weary years and–I venture to say—some more forward an agenda of inclusion in the political arena
silent tears before we reach that "Kingdom come on and with justice allies in the Episcopal Church to make
earth as it is in heaven" we pray for whenever we the full and equal claim promised to the LGBT baptized
gather to pray the words our Lord taught us. We will in 1976 a reality in 2009.
know we are there–we will know that the Kingdom has So let us give thanks today—in the beginning of the
truly come—when there is truly liberty and justice for New Year—for all who have gone before us to bring us
all in our nation—and when all the baptized are truly thus far on our way. And then let us get busy—in
included in all the sacraments of our church.

2. partnership with the God who calls us into a future of presence at and
abundance and inclusion—to make this country and this participation in the
church the Kingdom come on earth. We can do it. Yes convention—from the
we can. exhibit hall to the
press room to
A Brief Review of 2008 legislative sessions.
Mr. John Clinton Bradley, Acting Executive Director
To provide the support
johnclint@integrityusa.org | 585-360-4512 we desire to give to
By the grace of God; through the our volunteers, and to
generosity of donors large and small; equip the convention
and thanks to the hard work of our team with what it
volunteers and staff, IntegrityUSA needs to be fully
accomplished great things during the effective, we have set
past year. Together, we… a goal of $80,000. We are aware, of course, of the
many troubling indicators about the present state of
x Opened a public office in Rochester, New York. the country's economy. So, please be assured that we
x Hired another full-time employee, R. Bruce are making every effort to keep the costs of our
Colburn, to coordinate administration and ministry in Anaheim as modest as possible without
development. sacrificing either the effectiveness of the effort or the
x Held 5 Inclusion Activism workshops that trained 90 level of support our hard-working volunteers deserve.
people from 35 dioceses in "how the Episcopal
Church works, and how to work the Episcopal Watch for a special mailing in the near future about
Church." the Anaheim Appeal! I invite you to make an online
x Raised over $80,000 during the Canterbury contribution at www.integrityusa.org/donate and
Campaign. designate your gift for the "Anaheim Appeal." Your
x Sent a dozen "missionaries" to share God's inclusive online donation will help us keep costs as low as
love with the bishops attending the Lambeth possible.
Conference. You can find out more about our General Convention
x Fought hard to defeat Proposition 8 in California. needs at www.integrityusa.org/AnaheimAppeal.
x Forged new alliances through the Chicago
Consultation to move the Episcopal Church beyond Organizing For Full Inclusion: Take Your
B033 and forward on marriage equality at General Bishop Or Deputy To Lunch!
Convention 2009.
Ms. Jan Adams,
x Proposed sweeping changes to the bylaws that, if
Claiming the Blessing Field Organizer
approved by the members, will make our
organization more efficient and effective. jan@integrityusa.org | 415-378-2050
x Implemented a comprehensive online donor In my work trying to mobilize folks in
management suite. advance of General Convention, I still
x Hired a new part-time employee, Michael Bell, to get asked what Integrity's goals are, so
manage logistical preparations for our presence in it seems worthwhile to restate them:
Anaheim.
1. To move beyond Resolution B033.
x Elected David Cupps as our new Treasurer. Adopted in haste and under
x Gained 490 members and 30 partners. external pressure in 2006, this ill-
The year ahead promises to be just as exciting for our considered resolution has been used to bar
ministry as the year past. “Let us not be weary in well qualified LGBT persons from consideration in
doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” elections to the episcopacy.
Galatians 6:9, KJV 2. To move forward on marriage equality. For years
some bishops have been allowing parishes to bless
Anaheim Appeal LGBT couples as a matter of pastoral practice.
Mr. R. Bruce Colburn Various 2009 General Convention resolutions ask for
Development Coordinator changes ranging from inclusion of such rites in the
bruce@integrityusa.org | 585-360-4512 Book of Occasional Services through rewriting of
I am pleased to announce the launch of the marriage service in the Book of Common
"The Anaheim Appeal," the fundraising Prayer.
effort to support our work in and Achieving these goals is not something your field
around General Convention this organizer or Integrity's staff and elected officers can do
summer. As with the Canterbury alone. This only going to happen if LGBT Episcopalians
Campaign, our goal is to raise all and their friends get active and let their deputies and
anticipated expenses to support our

3. bishops know how they need these changes passed at Calling Volunteers For General Convention!
General Convention. by Michael S. Bell
We will get there by listening, talking .and praying GC2009 Project Manager/Meeting Planner
together. As a way to start, we're urging those who michael@integrityusa.org | 310-591-8109
care about these issues to "take your bishop or deputy
Want to be part of our faithful witness and
to lunch." work toward full inclusion of all the
Some suggestions for discussing General Convention... baptized in all the sacraments? We're
seeking passionate and committed hearts,
Establish a conversation. Of course, we do have an
minds, and hands to join with us in our
agenda. I'll say it again: "full inclusion of all the
mission at General Convention in Anaheim.
baptized in all the sacraments." Our bishops and
Whether you expected to have a few hours one day or
deputies need to know that there are faithful
know that you are available full-time for the entire two
Episcopalians who see full inclusion as a part of living
weeks of Convention, we welcome your time and talent
out our baptismal vows—and they need to hear, again,
on our team. We're interested in engaging people who
our personal stories of why full inclusion matters. You
have had General Convention experience as well as
need to be the person who tell them! "newbies" who are emerging as the next generation of
Listen. As you know, diocesan deputies to General leaders in our community. You can express interest in
Convention are not representatives. They are elected one our specific teams or in serving as a general
by our diocesan conventions, but in doing so we are volunteer. A volunteer application form can be found
trusting in their discernment of the movement of the on our General Convention website: http://
Spirit. Those of us working for full inclusion need to sites.google.com/site/allthesacraments/. This site will
hear from them. So try to make their acquaintance. continue to evolve as our official hub of information
Ask them what their hopes and dreams are for the about our work at Convention, so bookmark it in your
Episcopal Church. Also, find out what their anxieties browser. If you're not sure if you'll have time to be
are for our denomination. active with us, but want to stay informed about what
we're up to, please complete and submit this form
In 18 dioceses, IntegrityUSA folks and others have anyway—we'll keep you posted. Please share this
already begun making these contacts. That leaves 92
information to others in your communities/networks.
dioceses where these kind of contacts aren't yet being
made in an organized way. All applications will be acknowledged. Applications
received before the end of February will be considered
Don't assume someone else will do this—organizing for
for a limited number of "supported" volunteer roles, for
GC2009 depends on all of us. Please contact me with which lodging (two volunteers per room) will be
any information you need to make these contacts—and
available in our hotel block in Anaheim.
let me know what comes of these conversations.
Together we can make a difference! Thank you for considering this opportunity to realize
our future!
Faith-Based Community Organizing
IntegrityUSA recently
entered into
How You Can Influence General partnership with the
Institute for Welcoming
Convention Resources to offer an
x Contact your bishops and deputies about ongoing series of
General Convention as soon as possible. training workshops
x Tell them your position on the consecration of called Faith-Based
qualified LGBT clergy to the episcopate and the Community Organizing.
ecclesiastical blessing of faithful same-gender
couples. Tell them what you would like to see The new curriculum is
happen in Anaheim. similar to the Inclusion Activism workshops recently
offered by IntegrityUSA, but has broader goals and
x Ask them their position on these issues. Ask
teaches a different tool kit. It's designed to enable
them what kinds of resolutions they are willing
local leaders to change hearts and minds by building
to vote for in Anaheim.
respectful and honest relationships. The workshop is
x Thank them for their time and
attention. Promise to pray for them before and ideal for Episcopalians who want to...
during General Convention. Set up additional x make their congregation more welcoming and
opportunities for communication if possible. inclusive
x Share what you learn with Jan Adams x start or grow a congregational circle
x form or strengthen a local chapter or network
x move their diocese forward on LGBT issues

4. Integrity's Board of Directors challenges all local If you are a local chapter or network of IntegrityUSA, we
chapter, network, and circle leaders to attend one of challenge you to sponsor an exhibition at your next
these training events over the next year! diocesan convention.
Although these training events are sponsored by The exhibit is modular, meaning you can show as much
particular LGBT denominational advocacy groups, they or as little of it as available space allows. Family
are open to Episcopalians and inclusion activists from Diversity Projects requests a donation [whatever your
all denominations. organization can afford] to defray the cost of
maintaining and shipping the exhibit.
Upcoming workshops will be offered in…
Visit www.integrityusa.org/LoveMakesAFamily for more
x February 5-8: San Antonio, TX information about the exhibit. If you have additional
x February 13-15, 2009: Atlanta, GA questions, or want to schedule an exhibition, please
x March 13-15: Detroit or Ann Arbor, MI contact…
x March 19–22, 2009: Tallahassee, FL
Peggy Gillespie, Co-Director
IntegrityUSA is making plans to host a workshop in Family Diversity Projects
September. Find out more at www.integrityusa.org/ PO Box 124
FaithBasedCommunityOrganizing. Amherst, MA 01002-1246
(413) 256-0502
Love Makes A Family info@familydiv.org
IntegrityUSA has entered
into an agreement with
Family Diversity Take the P3 Challenge!
Projects to promote Is your congregation a Proud Parish Partner [P3] of
Love Make a Family IntegrityUSA? Visit www.integrityusa.org/p3challenge to
within the Episcopal find out! If your congregation is NOT a P3, talk to your
Church. This is a rector and vestry about becoming one.
museum-quality, traveling exhibition of photographs
and interviews about families that have LGBT
members. Many who view the exhibit are deeply
affected by it—often moving from hostility to
tolerance, or from tolerance to affirmation.
If you are a Proud Parish Partner [P3] or congregation
circle of IntegrityUSA, we encourage you to sponsor an
exhibition at your church.