WHEREAS: The Council of the City of New York is proud to honor the GIFTS Fellowship of Marble Collegiate Church for fostering inclusivity within the church community and beyond; and
WHEREAS: The United States was founded by individuals who sought a safe haven from religious persecution as they reaffirmed their shared values of justice, freedom, and equality. Today, religious freedom remains one of our nation's greatest principles--and this is equally true for people of faith who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. In an era when LGBT people experience incredible injustice for simply being themselves, often in the form of physical and spiritual violence, there continues to be a great need for more houses of worship that promote respect, unity and inclusion for all people, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity; and
WHEREAS: GIFTS represents "G(LBT) people in Faith, Tradition & Service." Today, this acronym continues to foster meaningful conversations about what it means to be an LGBT Christian and reaching out to those beyond the walls of the church; and
WHEREAS: GIFTS is an inclusive community at Marble Collegiate Church that seeks to embrace spiritual inheritance by celebrating the common threads between the lives as LGBT people of faith; and
WHEREAS: Established in the late 1980s, the GIFTS Fellowship traces it roots to a small group of gay men from Marble Collegiate Church who started a book club and met at each other's homes. As the group grew, so did the need to become a recognized program ministry of the church; and
WHEREAS: In 1992, after Dr. Arthur Caliandro, then Senior Minister, and other church leaders went through a process of discernment, the GIFTS program was fully embraced as a program group alongside other like the Marble Women's Ministry and Young Adult Fellowship; and
WHEREAS: A few of GIFTS programs have included: the East Coast premiere of Daniel Karslake's documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So"; a lecture by biblical scholar Sister Carol Perry ("What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality") at the LGBT Center; a book club and group discussion on "Why Marriage Matters" with author and Executive Director of Freedom to Marry Evan Wolfson; and a workshop performance of Daniel Beaty's Off-Broadway play "Through The Night." For more than twenty years, GIFTS has also provided hospitality by handing out water during the Pride Parade; and
WHEREAS: On this occasion, it is a privilege to tribute to GIFTS as well as the founders of the fellowship, board members and Senior Minister Emeritus Dr. Caliandro for their fostering greater acceptance within the church. In their shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive religious community, they serve as important catalysts for positive changes throughout our city and around the world; now therefore
BE IT KNOWN: That the Council of the City of New York most gratefully honors GIFTS Fellowship of Marble Collegiate Church for its outstanding service and contributions to the community.
Signed this 11th day of April in the year Two Thousand and Eleven
Christine C. Quinn, Speaker
For the Entire Council