June is busting out all over, as the show tune goes, with opportunities at LCOS to learn about and show your support for justice efforts in a variety of areas.
Nationally Recognized Author & Advocate to Speak at LCOS on June 22
Local resident and Lutheran pastor’s wife Jamie Bruesehoff will discuss what Christians can do to be allies and advocates with the LGBTQIA+ community. A nationally-known speaker, award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, and a heartfelt writer, Jamie, her family and their advocacy work have been featured by media outlets and organizations around the world, including Disney, NPR, Good Morning America, USA Today, The Today Show, CBS News, Parents, EducationWeek, Human Rights Campaign, and The Trevor Project. Jamie holds an M.A. in Religion from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. She has testified before Congress and most recently has been appointed to a White House Task Force studying transgender issues. Her presentation will be at 7:00 p.m. in the LCOS Sanctuary.
Other Pride Month Events
- June 8 (rain date June 10), HT PATCO parking lot, 5:45 pm: For the second year LCOS is marching in the Haddon Township Pride Parade. A limited supply of adult tee shirts are available in the church office. Children’s colored tee shirts also are available by contacting Jeanne Coleman-Jones (rmj2708@gmail.com or 856-912-6565).
- June 15, LCOS Rm 112, 7:00 pm: Book discussion, Melissa, by Alex Gino. Thank you to Inkwood Books for donating 20 copies of this book! Please contact Nancy Gulick or Jeanne Coleman-Jones to find out if any copies are still available.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 2 & Wear Orange Weekend, Jun 2-4
From the Wear Orange Website: “On January 21, 2013 Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later Hadiya was shot and killed on a Chicago playground. Soon after Hadiya’s friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others. Wear Orange is now observed every June. Thousands of people wear the color orange to honor Hadiya and the more than 40,000 people who are killed with guns and approximately 85,000 who are shot and wounded every year. We honor the communities shattered by gun violence, as well as the 120 people who are shot and killed, and hundreds more who are wounded, every day in our country. Together, we call for meaningful action to save lives.”
Juneteenth
Juneteenth (June 19th) is the Federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Once again this year at LCOS we are observing this important date by displaying Juneteenth flags at the entrances to our church during the week leading up to this historic date. Keep an eye out starting June 11 for the red and blue flags with a starburst that represents the state of Texas, where slaves in the most remote part of the Confederacy learned of their emancipation on June 19, 1865.
LCOS Has Gone a Little Greener!
Hopefully by now everyone has seen the new green recycle bins located throughout the LCOS building. The bins mean that we are following the Camden County Single Stream Recycling standards. Please place paper products, glass, #1 & #2 plastic bottles, jars and jugs, and metal containers in these bins. Be sure to first empty and rinse all containers. When in doubt, consider the item trash, and instead place it in a lined trash can. Thank you for helping us save the earth, one small step at a time.
The Justice & Peace Committee Will Be Sponsoring The “Besmart Campaign” at Our Savior on May 24 at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched this educational safety program which focuses on a commonsense approach designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions to prevent child gun deaths and injuries. Whether you own guns or not, everyone has a role in this conversation. Questions? Contact: Bob Dempsey 856-246-8543, robertdemp@verizon.net. All are welcome!
–Bob Dempsey
