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Inland Northwest Clergy for Inclusion ask for Spokane
City Council to adopt a Marriage Equality Resolution in 2012
The Rev. Jim CastroLang, pastor at Colville First Congregational UCC and Spokane resident, presented a proclamation urging the Spokane City Council to support the Marriage Equality Resolution presented at the council meeting Monday, April 16. He spoke on behalf of the Inland Northwest Clergy for Inclusion.
"Today, I stand with 18 area religious leaders along with citizens and elected officials from the many neighborhoods of our city, who say to the Spokane City Council: VOTE YES for the Marriage Equality Resolution”, CastroLang said.
The Proclamation was read as the March for Marriage Equality began at Westminster United Church of Christ, an open and affirming congregation.
"Now more than ever, we ask the Spokane City Council to stand on the right side of history and support the marriage equality resolution," said CastroLang.
He called them to say "yes" to human rights and to equal opportunity rather than giving in to the politics of prejudice and discrimination.
The Inland Northwest Clergy for Inclusion is a new and growing group of religious leaders who are committed to assuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are greeted with full inclusion in all aspects of church and society.
The Rev. Deb Conklin from the Oak Street Ministry said, “The Bible has been used as a weapon against LGBT people but the truth is the Bible is a book about God's love and it affirms all faithful loving relationships—no exceptions. Marriage Equality will allow more people to live in freedom, safety and to make commitments of love as God intended.”
Other representatives of The Inland Northwest Clergy for Inclusion testified at the Council meeting.
The Inland Northwest Clergy for Inclusion (INCI), formed by Rev. Eric Ohrtman, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran (ELCA), Colville and Rev. Jim CastroLang, pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), Colville, is regional movement of faith leaders whose mission is to end the judgment and discrimination in church and society toward LGBT people.
Copyright Pacific Northwest Conference News © April-May 2012
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