From: Susan Latimer <slatimer@stjohnswv.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Subject: letter for possible distribution
To: Sky Kershner <skykershner@gmail.com>, Sky Kershner <sky@kpcc.com>
Dear Sky,
I know that not everyone in CARLA will be interested or willing to participate in this advocacy work, as there are many perspectives one can take on the issues surrounding abortion. I may not make it tomorrow a.m. to the meeting, although I will try. If it is possible to send this notice by e-mail to the list, please do. If this is not the kind of thing that gets sent to the CARLA list, I understand. Thank you!
Dear West Virginia Clergy Person,
As the West Virginia legislative session nears, it is clear that once again reproductive health issues will be front and center.
In particular we know that there are many policymakers gearing up to drastically reduce critical funding for needed abortion care.
As clergy, you know better than anyone how important it is that that clergy and communities of faith be heard speaking out in favor of sexuality education, access to abortion and other reproductive rights. You know that one of the most heart wrenching situations can be a woman facing an unintended pregnancy.
That is why I am working with WV FREE and Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice to mobilize the faith community around the many important reproductive health issues we will be fighting for in 2010, and help train clergy and lay people on how to be more effective spokespeople. On behalf of my colleagues at these organizations, we would like to invite you to be a part of such a training aimed particularly at clergy and religious leaders.
The training will take place on December 10th
at St John's Episcopal Church in Charleston, 1105 Quarrier Street Room 109
from 11:30 to 1:30.
Lunch will be provided
The Rev. Matthew Westfox, Director of Interfaith Outreach and National Coordinator of Field Services for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and Margaret Chapman Pomponio will help lead the training and share their experience, but we hope this will be a chance for all of us to learn from each other. The training will include a briefing on the issues before the West Virginia legislature, a discussion of advocacy strategy around those issues and training and discussion of how clergy can best raise their voices in support of the women, men and families we counsel and pastor.
Please let us know if you would like to attend this training by replying to this e-mail, or calling me ( Susan Latimer ) at 304 346-0359 ext. 15.
In addition, if you are interested in hosting a more general training for the members of your congregation and community or receiving more information, please contact Margaret Chapman Pomponio at WV FREE. e-mail margaret@wvfree.org or
These advocacy trainings are fantastic opportunities for our West Virginia clergy community to join together in common cause, and for your organization or parish to educate and mobilize supporters throughout the state. I hope you will be able to join us.
Yours faithfully and for women,
The Rev. Susan Latimer, St. John's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Matthew Westfox, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Margaret Chapman Pomponio, WV FREE
--
Sky Kershner, 304-346-9689 x13
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
(The Jim Dent Dinner people)
www.dentdinner.com
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