 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
Comments to
Web manager
RETURN TO > 1998 > DATELINE
HOMEPAGE > HOME
DignityUSA DATELINE
APRIL 1998, VOL. 7, NO. 4
Prison Ministry
Hello, I am writing because I need a friend
and so begins many letters received at the offices of DignityUSA from individuals incarcerated in prisons around the United States.
In 1989 DignityUSA began a Prison Ministry program. For nine years, this ministry has offered a way for prisoners to reach out to the Dignity family across the country for strength and support.
National Vice-President Mary Louise Cervone recently commented,
This ministry provides a link between the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics and our brothers and sisters within the prison system. Through this ministry, prisoners are able to know that love and caring is provided by the Dignity family.
The program, however, now needs your help. DignityUSA now receives five to ten letters per month pleading for a response from someone within DignityUSA. For many years, Eric Anderson of Dignity/Washington served as the coordinator of this very vital ministry. Because of a recent job change and a move to a new city, he cannot continue as in this role. Please look within your chapters and region and see if there is an interested person or persons willing to continue this outreach ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers incarcerated within our prisons. Interested persons should write to Mary Louise at the national office for more detailed information.
April: Last Chance for Dues Discount!
Time is running out! April is the final month for DignityUSA's special promotion reducing membership dues by $5.00 per person, regardless of the expiration month. National Secretary Jerry Deas said,
Membership chairs can use this opportunity to promote membership growth within their chapters. Encourage individuals to join and remind existing members to renew early to take advantage of this offer.
The process for is simple. Existing members who receive a renewal reminder can simply mark out the dues amount and write in an amount for $5 less. Existing members whose renewals are later in the year can also take advantage of this opportunity by renewing their membership in advance! Chapter secretaries can can provide forms for early renewals.
Jerry added,
Now is the time to review membership rosters and extend the benefits of this program to all in the chapter. Membership is vital to our organization; this program provides a great opportunity to invite people to renew and to join.
Mountain Plains Readies for Regional Meeting
Dignity/Houston hosts the annual Mountain-Plains Regional meeting, Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26. Events will be held at the Holiday Inn Select at Greenway Plaza and the Dignity Center. Separate women's and men's retreats are scheduled for Friday at 10 am. Workshops on Saturday will include Financial Planning; Inner Healing, and Creating Diversity Within Dignity.
National President Bob Miailovich and Executive Director Charles Cox will address the gathering. You're invited to join the weekend to experience a taste of the fine hospitality for which Texas is famous! For more information call 713-880-2872 or e-mail: DignityHouston@juno.com
Pacific Region Establishes World Wide Web Domain
The Pacific Region has set up the first regional Web Domain in the country. In so doing that region has opened the internet doors to all 12 chapters within its boundaries. Acting as a gateway to all of the chapters in the Pacific Region, the new web site offers a Regional Calendar with links to events, a link to every chapter in the region, on-line guest books for each chapter, on-line membership application/renewal form, registration forms for regional events, and much more.
Pat McArron of San Diego set up the site in conjunction with other chapter technophiles. He explained,
There are many advantages to having a domain. One of those advantages is an easy to remember internet address. With the arrival of this web site all chapters in the region now have a presence on the web. In the past only those chapters who had their own managed sites were accessible on the web.
Pat encourages everyone to take a tour. The address is: www.dignitypacific.org.
Committee Close-up: The National Committee on Worship
The new cochairs of the National Committee on Worship are Blake Velde of Dignity/Washington and Linda Rieder of Dignity/San Diego. They are gathering together a committee to help them carry out the activities they have planned. The National Committee on Worship will collect information on liturgy and make this available to Dignity chapters through DignityUSA's web site and publications, as well as upon request through the national office. This information will include reviews of hymnals and other liturgical books to help Dignity faith communities choose appropriate resources for their situations. It will also include bibliographies and sample liturgies for special rites, seasonal prayers, and answers to specific questions about liturgy. In addition, the committee will arrange for liturgy workshops and listening/discussion sessions on liturgy at national and regional Dignity conventions.
25 Years of Dignity!
This is a big year for many Dignity chapters as they mark 25 year milestones. Plans include gala events, special liturgies, history display, receptions, and more. The dates for the celebrations may not coincide with the chapters' dates of incorporation, but it's clear: 1973 was a key year in the growth of Dignity USA!
April Events: San Francisco and Seattle May Event: Philadelphia October Event: Baltimore Events to be announced: Cleveland and Cincinnati
Warmest wishes and kudos to the many members and supporters who have been part of ground-breaking and life-affirming ministries! and . . . Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, New York, Boston and Washington, DC celebrated their 25 year milestones over the past three years! Congratulations and thanks to them for the longevity and transforming power of their faith, voice, vision, and action.
Happy Anniversary
Fort Lauderdale 13; Hartford 23
