AN INVITATION FROM CFE's NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear L.A. Area Faith Leaders,

California Faith for Equality is launching a new organizing training designed for clergy and lay leaders from congregations and organizations to maximize your capacity to work effectively at the intersection of LGBT equality and religion.

"Putting Faith into Action" was jointly developed by California Faith for Equality, Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation at Hebrew Union College-JIR, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a comprehensive training which:

• Offers concrete examples of how clergy, faith leaders and congregations can make use of organizing methods that will make marriage equality and LGBT equality a routine and evolving part of the entire congregation's ministry
  

• Helps faith leaders develop a specific strategy suited for the unique cultural, theological, political makeup and mission of their given congregation or community
  
• Offers extensive resources and exercises on how to assess what motivates a congregation and what may hold a leader or congregation back in working for LGBT equality
• 
  Provides space and technical assistance for you and your team so that you will leave the training with an actual plan of action, and to network and collaborate with other California Faith for Equality congregations and organizations in your area
  

We strongly encourage you to invite other leaders from your congregation and participate as a team.

One of the greatest strengths people of faith bring to the fight for equality is the deep trust and long standing relationships we have within our networks. The "Putting Faith into Action" training was created to tap into this potential power and turn it into a force for good. If we are to win full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people - to make it a moral and social mandate pervasive in all aspects of our lives - it will no doubt require the very best of what the people of faith have to offer.

Training Details:
DATE: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TIME: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - (Lunch will be provided*)
LOCATION: First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
540 South Commonwealth Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90020-1298
(Parking is free)

Please let us know ASAP whether or not you will be able to attend the training by responding to Kerry Chaplin at kerry@cafaithforequality.org.

* Also, please note any dietary restrictions so we can accommodate you.

Best regards,

Samuel