November, 1991

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Page 17

The Good News

This space has been donated to Emmanuel MCC by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management. by Roger

The holidays are slowly creeping upon us again this year. Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here, and aromas will fill the home. For some people, this holiday means eating with their family and watching television all day, but what is the reason for this day of thanks?

Hundreds of years ago, a group of people, who were ridiculed for their way of dressing and their way of worshipping were being persecuted. To escape death, they were given the option to try a fool's quest, and sail around to the newly discovered, definitely dangerous savage world, where they'd probably die. Well, instead of falling into the ocean and disappearing forever, they discovered a new, undreamed of land full of beauty. They made a home for themselves, made peace with the local inhabitants, and celebrated in style.

That can compare today with a lot of gays' and lesbians' lives. We too have been mocked for the way some of us choose to dress. Many of us were run off from our homes because of our beliefs of loving a same sex person, and it was hoped many of us would never come back. Maybe we'd "fall off the face of the earth." One of the biggest correlations was to have the audacity to have a belief in God different from mainstream views. Being a homosexual deprives us of religion, according to some "Christians", as the pilgrims were deprived of their freedom of religion, too.

Well, we haven't run away on some boat provided by some ruler to get rid of us. We are

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NORTH COAST MEN'S CHORUS

Hello again! The chorus is excited to announce we have received confirmation from Romanovsky and Phillips that they will be performing as part of our June 1992 concert. We are coordinating this concert with Cleveland's Pride Week and welcome Romanovsky and Phillips as part of this effort.

We have also been making significant progress in arranging our Invitational Concert for March 1992. Bill Barolini, a recent addition to the North Coast Men's Chorus Board, has been organizing this event. Three choruses, the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, the Cincinnati Men's Chorus and the Detroit Great Lakes Men's Chorus, have accepted our invitation and this accounted for 120 guests who will participate in the concert in addition to the NCMC. Members of the participating choruses will be staying with members and friends of the NCMC. Anyone wishing to help is invited to contact us.

With all the activity going on with our 1992 concerts, we have not forgotten the upcoming Holiday Concert, "Joy to the World." Plans to hold the concert at the Metro campus of Cuyahoga Community College are still on track for Sunday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. Besides the hours of rehearsal, a great deal of work is being accomplished to make this a successful concert. Tim Paxton, our other recent addition to the NCMC Board, has taken on the responsibility for the Public Relations Committee. Under his supervision, a new process has been set up to handle advertising to be placed in our program. We now have

Sweet

here and alive in Cleveland and America! We may not always dress as we're told, have preferences as society thinks we should, or not be allowed to worship God as some televangelists say, but we are here!

Thanksgiving is a time of appreciation for God at Emmanuel. We can all give thanks, with a grateful heart, to the Holy One. All you need to do is be proud of yourselves and care for your fellow neighbor.

So, this year, if you are lacking a blood family, or a “like” family, come join our family during this time of renewal on this holiday. If you want to strengthen your family's convictions, bring them all to Sunday service, as everyone is welcome within these walls.

This year though, make your feast extra special. If you have a lonely friend or relative, invite them to eat with you and yours, so they won't be alone this year. If someone out there needs food and wants to prepare their own dinner, any time of the year, our food pantry is always open to all who need something. We give to many people in and out of our community, so no one will have to be hungry.

If you also hunger for spiritual nourishment, you are welcome at Emmanuel any day of the year. Worship. service starts at 11:00 am. sharp on Sunday morning, with doors open by 10:30 a.m. There is also a prayer/consultation only service on Wednesdays from 7:00p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you need anything, our phone is always as open as our doors. Call 651-0129 for further details and information.

Until next month, Peace, God Bless, and Happy Thanksgiving!▼

special packages which offer savings, and the whole procedure is more effective and easier for our subscribers.

For information on membership, tickets to the upcoming season, and space in our concert program, becoming a patron, or general information, please write to the NCMC, P.O. Box 15181, Cleveland, OH 44114, or call 473-8919.

Design Contest

The NCMC Board of Directors announces a contest for the design of the program for its Invitational Concert in March 1992. The NCMC will be hosting three other Midwest men's choruses. The objective of the contest is to develop a progressive and professional design for use on the program and promotional items for the concert.

The overall theme for the Invitational is American music/American composers. The program/poster design should incorporate the theme, coordinating artwork and the names of the participating choruses.

The winning designer will receive a $100 cash prize, plus two free tickets to the Invitational Concert. Deadline for submission is December 31, 1991. Submitted designs will be judged by the NCMC Board and the Public Relations Committee. The winner will be announced in the February issue of the Chronicle.

To enter: Notify the NCMC Board of your intent to participate by writing to the NCMC, P.O. Box 15181, Cleveland, OH 44114, or by calling 473-8919. Deadline for intent to participate is December 1, 1991. Formal rules, concert details, and design specifications will be sent to you. ▼

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