Louie Crew is coming to Fort Worth!

Yes, it seems an unlikely place for Dr. Louie Crew to place on his itinerary yet it is true. Unlike the Presiding Bishop, he needs no invitation from the current bishop of this Episcopal Diocese. He comes at the invitation of Integrity Fort Worth.

We are honored and privileged to have Dr. Crew in our midst. We give great thanks for all that he has done in the past – talk about standing on someone’s shoulders! I would daresay that Louie’s shoulders must be very large to carry so many of us so high. While we are not yet satisfied with the second rate status of gays and lesbians in the Episcopal Church, we humbly note that we would not even be second class were it not for the steadfast love and work of Louie.

So, it is with great joy that I invite you to come hear Louie speak in Fort Worth. This is a momentous occasion. Come be a part of it. Mark your calendars. Make your reservations.
Barbi
South Central Region
Vice President, Integrity

*******************************************************
News Release

Dr. Louie Crew, Founder of Integrity, to Speak in Fort Worth
by Katie Sherrod

FORT WORTH - Some people are threatening to split from The Episcopal Church because of its full inclusion of gay and lesbian Episcopalians in the life and ministry of the church. But many Episcopalians agree with the move toward full inclusion of all the Baptized, or want to learn more about it.

One of the most articulate voices on this subject is Dr. Louie Crew, founder of Integrity. Integrity is a nonprofit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] Episcopalians and straight friends. Since its founding by Dr. Crew in rural Georgia in 1974, Integrity has been the leading grassroots voice for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in The Episcopal Church and equal access to its rites.

On Saturday, March 1, 2008, Integrity Fort Worth will host Dr. Crew, whose topic will be “Exceedingly Glad in Times Like These,” at Celebration Community Church, 908 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, TX. Dr. Crew will speak at 3:30 PM after the Holy Eucharist at 2:00 PM, led by the Rt. Rev. Sam Hulsey, retired bishop of Northwest Texas. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. There will be a reception in the parish hall following Dr. Crew’s address.

A native of Anniston, Alabama, Crew holds earned degrees from Baylor University (BA, 1958), Auburn (MA, 1959) and the University of Alabama (PhD, 1971) and honorary doctorates from three Episcopal seminaries: EDS (Cambridge, 1999), General (NYC, 2003), and EDS Pacific (Berkeley, 2004). He has held fellowships at UCal Berkeley, the University of Texas (Austin), and the University of Chicago. He is the author of more than 1620 publications.

An emeritus professor of English at Rutgers University, Crew taught there from 1989 to 2001 and served two terms as Chair of its Senate and a member of its Board of Governors. At other times during his 44-year career, he was a prep school master and a professor of black higher education in the rural south. He also taught for five years in rural Wisconsin and four years in Beijing and Hong Kong.

Dr. Crew’s contributions to the Church have been many. A five-time deputy to General Convention from the Diocese of Newark, he chaired Newark’s deputation in 2006. He has served two terms on the Standing Committee of his Diocese, twice as its President, and is now clerk of the vestry at Grace Church, Newark. He is also the secretary of Province Two of the Episcopal Church as well as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations. He recently finished his term on the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, the body that governs the church between General Conventions.

Louie Crew and Ernest Clay entered a life partnership in February 1974.

******************************

This event is free if attendees pre-register online at www.integrityfortworth.org otherwise there is a
$5.00 Registration Fee at the door. For information, call 817-784-5132 or send e-mail to info@integrityfortworth.org