Pastor Brooks Berendt is posting daily blog updates on the Marriage Equality March on the front page of the First Congregational Church, UCC in Vancouver, WA website: www.vanucc.org
The blogs are moving and informative—marchers are having a marvelous experience. He reports that the March got off to a great start on Feb 9, videos from Portland news stations can be seen at:
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Wash-gay-marriage-supporters-set-to-rally-in-Vancouver-139014029.html?tab=video&c=y
http://www.kptv.com/story/16773542/washington-state-lawmakers-pass-gay-marriage-bill
http://www.kgw.com/news/local/100-mile-march-celebrates-Wash-gay-marr-139042624.html
The Marriage Equality March began in Vancouver, WA on Feb 9 and will conclude in Olympia on Feb 15. The March is intended to demonstrate support for Marriage Equality in SW 
Washington by faith communities and supporters. United Churches is serving as the concluding point of the March, and is hosting the concluding potluck following a rally on the Capitol steps.
Here’s what’s up in Olympia on February 15th at United Churches and the Capitol:
3:00 Snack-food items dropped off at United Churches
3:30 Marchers will arrive at TUCO. Coffee, tea, juice and snacks will be provided in the Narthex.
3:30 People bringing potluck foods should have food items to the kitchen at this time and potluck set-up in the Social Hall will start around 3:30 too.
4:00 March over to the Capitol Steps for the Rally.
5:00 or 5:30 Potluck @ TUCO’s social hall. Rally participants are invited back to TUCO for a potluck. We’re welcoming other faith communities to both participate in these activities and bring potluck items. We’ve divided the potluck into the usual categories: beverages, main dish, salad, bread, and desserts.
There is going to be a potluck “program”, of sorts. It’ll be informal but will consist of remarks about the march and the marchers, along with perhaps some tongue- in- cheek awards, and such. Brooks Berendt, the UCC pastor from First Congregational UCC in Vancouver is coordinating that part. There will be singing, of course, and some folks from United Churches and other faith communities are planning to join in along with a marcher on 2/15 who also plays and sings.
We can participate in the March in three ways:
1) Help provide marchers and supporters with coffee and a snack before the rally on the Capitol steps.
2) Help with the potluck by contributing food and helping with set-up. CLM and Rainbow Circles are hosting the potluck—all are welcome to attend and contribute. Other faith communities are attending and contributing to the potluck.
3) Joining the march to the Capitol steps, at which-ever point you wish.
We hope to see many of you at this event!
Background:
The March was initially sponsored by First Congregational Church, UCC in Vancouver, WA, and is co-sponsored by Equal Rights Washington, The Religious Coalition for Equality, The Community of Welcoming Congregations, the Faith Action Network of Washington and the UCC Central Pacific Conference.
The United Churches Council approved our participation in the March, and we are registered as a church. Individual marchers can walk as much or as little as you wish. The March schedule:
Thursday, February 9: From Vancouver to La Center—16 miles
Friday, February 10: From La Center to Kalama—17 miles
Saturday, February 11: From Kalama to Longview—13 miles
Sunday, February 12: From Longview to Vader—17 miles
Monday, February 13: From Vader to Napavine—18 miles
Tuesday, February 14: From Napavine to Tenino—18miles
Wednesday, February 15: From Tenino to Olympia—17 miles
If you have questions, please contact Pat Dickason, UCC Moderator, p.dickason@comcast.net or 753-7647.
FEB
