Dear Companions in Christ, We would like to thank ECC administration and the Executive Board for hearing our concerns of InterVarsity’s Greg Jao speaking at Midwinter and replacing him with Rev. Cecilia Williams, executive minister for Love Mercy Do Justice. InterVarsity recently published a policy requiring its employees to believe in and behave according to its theological stance on human sexuality or face involuntary termination. We continue to ask that ECC administration will include speakers with more diverse views at future Covenant events. We are especially grateful this week for all of you (more than 450) who signed the petition, and many more who wrote and called directly, asking the Covenant to disassociate with an organization that does not honor diversity, discussion, deep communion, nor freedom as a spiritual discipline. Let us all continue to love mercy, to do justice, and to walk humbly with our God. You might consider: - Praying for wisdom and discernment for our denominational leaders as they do the good work God has called them to do. - Praying for all the speakers at Midwinter. - Praying for our country in the midst of great strife and division. - Volunteering to be a delegate from your church to this year’s Annual Meeting June 22-24 in Detroit, MI. Inclusive voices are needed to speak up for justice for all people. - Joining Mission Friends for Inclusion to stay up-to-date on future actions at http://mf4i.org/act/