Creech to Conduct Same-Sex Holy Union "Renewal" Nov. 16 as a "Witness to
the World"

GRAND ISLAND, NE. United Methodists who may have hoped to hide the
second trial of the Rev. Jimmy Creech in far-off Grand Island,
Nebraska, are not happy that Dr. Mel White and a Soulforce delegation
from twenty states will be on hand
(Nov.16-18) to protest this "spiritual violence against God's gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered children." Just three weeks ago,
White and another Soulforce delegation made headlines with their
historic Anti-Violence Summit with Jerry Falwell in Lynchburg, Virginia.

"Exercise your individual moral right. Help us prevent this trial,"
White exclaims in a second Open Letter to the United Methodist Bishops
and Jury assembling to try Jimmy Creech for conducting a same-sex holy
union. "Lock arms with us. Be arrested with us. Write your check for
bail and one day, when you show that cancelled check to your lesbian
granddaughter or gay grandson you can say proudly, 'I'm glad I didn't go
up those steps to try Jimmy Creech.' One day you'll hear Christ himself
say, 'I'm glad, too.'"

(Both letters and background materials can be found at:
www.soulforce.org).

On the eve of the trial, Tuesday, November 16, 1999, 7PM, the Rev. Jimmy
Creech will conduct the same holy union for which he is being tried.
"We want this renewal of our vows to be a witness to the world," says
James Raymer, the young gay man joined in matrimony to his partner,
Larry Ellis, by the Rev. Jimmy Creech, April 24, 1999, in Chapel Hill,
North Carolina. At the close of the service other gay and lesbian
couples will step forward to have their vows rededicated as well. "If
this is my last act as a United Methodist minister," the Rev. Jimmy
Creech says, "I am glad that it is a celebration of God's love."

(The complete Holy Union service can be found at: www.soulforce.org).

Because they could find not church in Grand Island to offer them
sanctuary, the Soulforce Delegation will use the Holiday Inn Midtown as
their headquarters. Soulforce is offering media access to all their
events on Tuesday evening, Nov. 16, including "Advanced Training in
Nonviolent Resistance" (4-6PM), The Holy Union Celebration (7PM), A
Press Conference with Jimmy Creech, Mel White, the wedding party and
special guests (8PM). At 9PM, the entire Soulforce delegation will move
to the steps of the Trinity United Methodist Church (Elm and 5th) to
begin a 24 hour candlelight vigil with a short service of prayer and
mourning for the United Methodist Church (9:30-10PM).

On Wednesday morning (Nov. 17, 7AM) and for two hours before the trial
is convened (9AM), every four minutes another couple from the Soulforce
Delegation will block the entrance to the sanctuary turned tribunal in a
symbolic act of civil disobedience. The police have warned the
delegates that after one minute of locked-arm silent protest each couple
will be
arrested. The arrests will continue for two hours until the trial
begins.

Following the trial, if Jimmy Creech is found guilty, the Soulforce
delegates will put on black armbands and end their vigil with a slow,
silent procession carrying a tall red candle that symbolizes the Holy
Spirit's departure from that place. "How can Christ remain," Mel White
asks in his Open Letter, "where any of God's children are no longer
welcome?"

Contact:
MEL WHITE (949) 455-0999 (until 11/13) In Grand Island (11/14-19): (308)
384-1330 or (949) 933-3592 RevMel@aol.com (Open Letters and Soulforce
Data): http//www.soulforce.org

JIMMY CREECH (Laura MontgomeryRutt) (717)627-7180 In Gr.Is. (308)
384-5150 Cell: (949) 233-3592 LMRutt@aol.com (Jimmy Creech Statement,
links to trial information):
http://www.iwgonline.org/docs/jcontrial.html

Holiday Inn Midtown in Grand Island, NE. (800) 548-5542 or (308)
384-1330 Trinity United Methodist Church (308)-382-1952 The Rev. James
Keyser United Methodist District Office (308) 384-0603 Dr. F. Cole
Fowler,
Superintendent Grand Island Police Coordinator, Capt. William Holloway
(308) 385-5400

Complete Press Kit at:
http://www.soulforce.org