Vieux Carre MCC Issues Invitation
To Gay And Lesbian Presbyterians
During "Eucharistic Fast"
In a remarkable move of ecumenical openness, Vieux Carre MCC to
day extended an invitation to gay and lesbian Presbyterians to receive Holy Communion at their worship services.
The invitation was extended by the Rev. Dexter Brecht, senior pastor of Vieux Carre MCC, in response to the recently issued "Nationwide Call to Eucharistic Fast" by noted Presbyterian author, speaker and activist Chris Glaser. Glaser has proposed the fast-actually a boycott of Holy Communion in all Presbyterian churches-to embody protest against Amendment B of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which denies full church participation to gays and lesbians.
"Our Communion Table is open to all God's people," the Rev. Brecht said. "During this time of Eucharistic Fast, gay, and transgendered Presbyterians of conscience may partake of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at any UFMCC congregation with the full knowledge that our community of faith unreservedly affirms and celebrates their spirituality, conscience, and God-given sexuality."
Vieux Carre MCC, located at 1128 St. Roch Ave., offers worship services each Sunday at 11:00 am and 4:15pm, as well as a meditation service each Wednesday at 6:00pm. Additional information is available by calling the church office at 504.945.5390.
Living Room Is Underway
The Living Room has opened its doors to adults who are infected with HIV. This day center is open Tuesday through Saturday 12 noon until 6 pm. There are events and activities that are on-going. If you are interested in coming or in volunteering, contact Shirley VanDamme at 504.945.1635. Items still needed are: a small air conditioner, a fax machine, a rocking chair and tea sets.
Long-Time Member Of VCMCC Passes Away
Anthony Crayton, long-time member and friend of Vieux Carre MCC, passed away on July 12th. Anthony had worked in the nursing profession until 1995 when he became ill due to complications of HIV. In addition to the many gifts that he has shared with Vieux Carre MCC, Anthony had actively served as deacon for the past two and one-half years. Funeral services were held at the church on Thursday.
Karen Ann Edwards Concert Scheduled For August 20
Karen Ann Edwards, a recognized singer within the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, will share her musical talents with New Orleans at Vieux Carre MCC on August 20 at 7 pm. Karen Ann, who hails from Florida, has been involved for the past ten years in fund raising for many non-profit organizations through the state of Florida dealing with issues including homeless families, child abuse and drug/alcohol recovery programs. Admission to the concert is free. However, a love offering will be collected for Karen Ann. For more information call the church office at 504.945.5390.
Rainbow Kids'
Kamp" Planned For VCMCC Youth
On August 10th, the youth who attend Vieux Carre MCC will share with the morning worship celebration what they have gleaned from their experiences during the previous week.
"Rainbow Kids Kamp" will take place at the church August 4-8. There will be a $10 registration fee received no later than July 28th. The theme of the camp will focus on "The Promises of God". For more information call the church at 504.945.5390.
Artists Against Aids Benefit Changes Venue
Due to an error at Ticketmaster, the Artists Against AIDS Concert has been forced to move from Saturday, July 19, at the Theatre of the Performing Arts to Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997 at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. The evening will commence at 6:30 pm with a reception and spectacular silent auction full of weekend getaways, theatre tickets, artwork and much, much more. Show time is at 8 pm. Following the event, there will be a patron party sponsored by Planet Hollywood.
Musical Magic 97, this year's fifth annual Benefit Gala, being sponsored by Ambush Mag 2000, WNOL TV- WB 38, Gambit Weekly, New Orleans Limousine, Oz, Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS, Planet Hollywood, and Magic 101.9, will feature many of New Orleans' finest entertainers banding together to fight AIDS in our community.
Musical Magic 97 will star Chris Owens, Marva Wright and Cynthia Owen Holmes and will feature performers such as the cast of Sophisticated Ladies, the Mt. Zion Harmonizers, Kris Shaw, the Gospel Soul Children, Kim Prevost, Soline McLain and Heidi Jensen, to name a few. Celebrity emcees will be WWL's Angela Hill and WDSU's Margaret Orr. Serving as Celebrity Guest Host & Hostess will be Michael Chase and Nikki Reyes.
These show-stopping performers will provide some of their best "musical magic" to benefit two local AIDS organizations. All ticket proceeds will provide for much-needed services in our community at Project Lazarus and the NO/AIDS Task Force.
Additional information and tickets can be obtained by calling 504.834.SHOW (7469).
Bear Decadence 1997
Just when you thought Southern Decadence couldn't get any better, The New Orleans Bear & Bear Trapper Social Club (NOBBTSC) is throwing a bearish bar run. Starting Thursday, August 28 and running through Monday, September 1, 1997, Labor Day Weekend, bears from all over will converge, once again, on the Crescent City.
A cavalcade of events will entertain visitors and locals alike, including food, drink, festivity and way too many parties to list. The run begins with a cocktail party at registration, and ends with a Good-bye dinner party. But between and during these parties a vast array of activities are planned. Including a Street Party, Country Western Dance, Queen of Decadence / Bear Pageant, Arctophile (Bear Lovees) Party, Club & Vendor Day, just to mention a few of the highlights available to non run participants. Thurs., Aug. 28, from 7 pm - 10 pm at Rawhide 2010, 740 Burgundy, we'll have our Welcome Party. This event will welcome all the hot bear run participants to town. For those of you who are into bears this will be a great opportunity to meet some new bear meat.
Fri., Aug. 29, from 9 pm - 1 am, with tickets on sale from 6 pm, at Body & Soul, 2300 Chartres St, there will be a Country Western Dance, with a fund raiser event. Advance ticket sales are $5.00 at the door. The dance will incorporate music, eats, line dance lessons, and plenty of two steppin' tunes, for the experienced C/W dance crowd . Even if you aren't a dancin' fool, you will have a great time just watching, eating and drinking. A cash bar will be available to wash down the free food.
Saturday, Aug. 30, morning, afternoon and evening, are certain to offer something for everyone. The morning will begin with the now infamous Arctophile Party/Brunch at Another Corner, a.k.a. 2601, from 11 am - 2 pm, while a short walk away, to Body & Soul at 2300 Chartres, the Club and Vendor Fest will be taking place, where one may purchase any manner of "Bearaphanalia" and gather information on other clubs and organizations. Cyber-bears will interface, and perhaps even exchange their floppies for hard drives at the High-Tech Bear Meeting. Concurrently, a visiting bear club will host a cocktail party for those who are more interested in the High than the Tech of meeting bears. From 9 pm - 11 pm, the first annual Queen of Decadence Pageant, also at Body and Soul, will be held, featuring entertainment by local professional female impersonators as well as a variety of bearish contestants striving to be the quintessential Queen of Decadence. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the best in several categories. This pageant is open to the public. Anyone who thinks he/she is Queen of Decadence material should contact Joey LeBlanc @ 504.897.1594. Tickets are available through Bear Club members and at the door. Admission at the door or advance is $5.00.
Countless prizes donated by local businesses and organizations will be raffled off to benefit local AIDS charities at the Parade of Prizes, Sun., Aug. 31, from 10 pm - 2 pm at The Mint, 504 Esplanade. Tickets can be purchased from NOBBTSC Members and at Bear Decadence events.
Tear Gas Bomb Hits D.C. Gay Bar
On July 12, a tear gas bomb was thrown into Remington's, a gay bar in Washington, D.C., and though no one was seriously injured, some patrons reported that paramedics and police on the scene did little to investigate and administer emergency care. Several Marines, possibly from a nearby base, were seen outside the bar, but no arrests have been made. GLOV (Gay Men and Lesbians Opposed to Violence) scheduled a meeting on July 21 to gather eyewitness testimony and provide counseling to victims for post-traumatic stress.
"It is our understanding from community members that police did not respond appropriately to this incident, either by collecting evidence or interviewing witnesses," said GLOV Chair Darryl Cooper. "GLOV will scrutinize police conduct very closely to ensure that they institute an effective and thorough investigation."
For more information contact Darryl Cooper (GLOV) at 202.418.1039. [from GLAAD]
