Lesbian activist Martin dead at 87

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) — Lesbian activist Del Martin, at the forefront of the battle for same-sex marriage in California, died Wednesday in San Francisco. She was 87. Martin’s partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, was by her side at the UCSF hospice, the National Center for Lesbian Rights said. Martin and Lyon, 84, tied the knot on June 16 in a ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Long before Massachusetts and then California legalized same-sex marriage, Lyon and Martin were integral parts of the early movement for lesbian and gay rights. In 1955, they founded the nation’s first lesbian organization, the Daughters of Bilitis, and launched the first lesbian publication, The Ladder. Martin co-founded the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, and was also a founding member of several other organizations, including the Lesbian Mother’s Union, the San Francisco Women’s Centers and the Bay Area Women’s Coalition. She and Lyon were co-founders of the first gay political group in the United States, the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, named for author Gertrude Stein’s long-time partner.

Experience Living the Questions

We are offering a new midweek series on Wednesday nights. The series is titled Living the Questions. LTQ “is an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers and instead strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring what’s next for Christianity.” LTQ is sponsored by Light University (contact Rev. Robert Griffin to learn how you can earn FREE Light U. credit for attending the LTQ series!). As with the Saving Jesus series, Living the Questions is a video series featuring world-renowned scholars who discuss religious topics, and the film presentation is followed by respectful and honest group discussion. The new series begins August 27^th and will run through the end of January 2009.

Also for this new series, we are adding a brief service of Holy Communion. We’ll sing and pray together, share Communion, see a video presentation where we will learn from leading theologians and religious scholars, and conclude with an interactive time of sharing questions and observations. This is a wonderful learning and worship opportunity, so please join us each Wednesday for Living the Questions!

Sunday School coming in September

We have a teacher — a professional schoolteacher. We have a curriculum — a justice-oriented curriculum from the Mennonite / Brethren Churches. And we have the goal of starting children’s Sunday School in September. Now we just need two more things: (1) children, and (2) teaching assistants.

Children’s Sunday School will be offered during the second service on alternating Sundays. So help us spread the word to families that we will soon have this wonderful new opportunity for them. And anyone who would like to assist a qualified teacher, simply contact Rev. Robert Griffin (robert@sunshinecathedral.org). All volunteers who work with children must first pass a background check.

Help us spread the word about our new Sunday School program and if you are willing to assist with the program, contact Rev. Griffin as soon as possible.

Save the date!

The fourth annual Diamond Ball is coming up fast. This year the Diamond Ball will be held on Sunday, October 19^th, at 6:00 pm in the Safari Room at Hugh’s Catering in Oakland Park.

Please know we’re planning great fun for the Ball this year. First the open bar cocktail party, followed by a sumptuous dinner. Then we’ll dance away the night (and the calories). Of course , we will also have our traditional silent auction and a special raffle. Don’t forget the presentation of our annual “Sunny Awards”. Expect a few other great surprises along the way.

Reservations are now being accepted at $125.00 each. Please see Ed Johnson (ed@sunshinecathedral.org) to secure your reservation. Look for more information soon.

Lector (reading) volunteers training

Do you enjoy reading? Here’s an opportunity that will move, touch, and inspire you while reading to our congregation during Sunday morning worship services. Join this powerful ministry! Our next Lector training session will be held on Sunday, September 14^th, at 10:00 am, on the second floor of the Graves Building (Pink Door). For additional information or registration, please contact Kelly Harris at kelly@sunshinechathedral.org. You may also contact our cathedral office at 954-462-2004.

Hope to see you there.

Above and Beyond campaign continues

Sunshine Cathedral ended 2007 with a large deficit, and we have been working very hard to tighten our belts in 2008 so that we can end this year in the black. The Cathedral has cancelled various services (like lawn care) to save money, and as staff members have left us we have refrained from refilling their positions during this year. Additionally, weekly giving has remained stable and attendance has been strong, so our financial health is much better than last year.

To continue moving in a positive direction to keep your Cathedral strong so that we can continue “Sharing the Light with the World”, we will be launching the fall Above and Beyond campaign again this year (we did this in 2006 as the “Fall Harvest”). The campaign is very simple: All we ask is that you pledge to save one dollar a day for 99 days. At the end of the 99-day campaign, bring your $99 offering to give above and beyond your usual tithe. This is a fun and painless way for each of us to increase our giving by $99 and it can help us end the year in a strong position so that we can begin 2009 ready to offer more ministry to more people.

The Above and Beyond campaign runs through November 23^rd. There are Above and Beyond pledge cards in the pew backs to let us know that you are putting away an extra dollar a day to bless your Sunshine Cathedral so that we can continue to bless our community and the world. When you turn in your pledge card, you will receive a pin so that everyone can know that you are going above and beyond for the cause of ministry. Your generosity makes miracles happen here at the Sunshine Cathedral. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Light University announces fall schedule

The following classes will be offered at Light U this fall:

The Bible & Homosexuality — Rev. Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div.

Mondays: September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, and 13
7:00 pm (90 minutes); Course Fee: $25

Following Christ in a Consumer Society — Rev. Robert Griffin, M.Div.

Tuesdays: September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 6, and 14
7:00 pm (90 minutes); Course Fee: $25

Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Part 1 — Michael Diaz, M.Div.

Tuesdays: September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 6, and 14
6:00 pm (2 hours); Course Fee: $25

Other classes may soon be added. Additionally, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) will be offering online courses this fall. Anyone taking an MCC online course can also get Light U. credit for no additional charge. Those who attend the Living the Questions series on Wednesday nights can apply for Light U. credit as well. This academic year Light U. will be offering four six-week terms instead of three eight-week terms, so there will be more opportunities to take more classes! And by the second fall term, there should even be some Light U.-specific online courses available. There are many affordable learning opportunities at Light University. Make the most of this wonderful religious education program and plan to enroll in one or more courses this fall.

It’s a picnic!

The Sunshine Cathedral will be hosting a Labor Day Picnic. On Monday, September 1^st, at 11:00am we will gather at the Caldwell Pavilion located in Snyder Park. Snyder Park has been the location for many memorable Cathedral picnics. It is located south of SR84 on SW 4^th Ave.

The Cathedral will provide the meat, drinks, and dry goods. Bring your favorite picnic side and join the fun. There will be no charge for this “fun” time. (You may have to pay $1 to park.) There will be plenty of activities, great food, and fellowship.

Fill ’er Up! winners announced Sunday

The Sunshine Cathedral Board of Directors is please to present a unique opportunity to help beat the high cost of gas. They are conducting a “Gas Card Drawing” after each service.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. First Prize: $1,000 Gas Card, Second Prize: $500 Gas Card, Third Prize: $250 Gas Card. The drawing to be held in Sunshine Cathedral’s Social Hall following the 10:30 service on Sunday, August 31^st. Winners need not be present. Prizes are provided by the Sunshine Cathedral’s Board of Directors, and no purchase or contribution is necessary.

You may purchase tickets after each service in the social hall or from any Cathedral Board Member.