Presbyterian

21st August 2012 Dear friends, Because of the Bill before Parliament proposing that the Marriage Act be amended to allow same-sex couples to marry, Presbyterian AFFIRM has issued a Statement on Marriage to help Christian people speak out on this important issue. So far the public discussion has been rather one-sided. We invite you to do several things PRAY: Pray for our country, and pray for the Members of Parliament. DISTRIBUTE: Photocopy and give to others this special newsletter and Statement on Marriage. WRITE: Write letters to as many Members of Parliament as you can (including the leaders of various parties, and your own electorate MP). Write to those MPs who may be undecided. Write (in support) to those MPs who have said they are opposed to the Bill. Mailed letters are more effective than emails. Mail to: (Name of MP, Parliament Office, Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6140). Be very brief. MPs will not read long letters. State clearly in the first line that you do not support the Bill. Be moderate, fair and reasoned. Dont be hostile or condemnatory. You are best not to include quotations from the Bible in your letters: Bible verses are unlikely to sway non-Christian politicians, and Christian MPs already know the Bible but need to argue the case in a secular context. Letters from church councils (Sessions) would also be highly appropriate. SIGN: We invite you to sign the Family First petition. You can do that on-line (see their Protect Marriage Website, www.protectmarriage.org.nz This has lots of excellent extra information on this issue. Alternatively, sign a hard copy version (and gather signatures from family, friends, and church). Stuart Lange and Steve Jourdain, For the Council of Presbyterian AFFIRM/NAPEC P.S. There will be a pre-Assembly Newsletter in September. Meanwhile, those who are coming to Assembly and those who live anywhere near should try hard to get to the AFFIRM pre-Assembly Conference see details on www.presaffirm.org.nz
National Council of AFFIRM-NAPEC: Rev Steve Jourdain and Rev Dr Stuart Lange (Co-Chairmen), Valerie Tracey (Administrator), Rev Brian Brandon, Rev Peter Bristow, Heather Coster, Rev Peter Dunn, Rev Ben Dykman, Rev Keleva Faleatua, Rev John Gullick, Rev Ian Hyslop, Rev Emma Keown, Rev Dr Mark Keown, Rev Chong Woo Kim, Rev Dr Martin Macaulay, Rev Dr Colin Marshall, Rev Rhys Pearson, Rev Ralph Penno, Alex Robinson, Rev Dr Stuart Vogel, Rev Jim Wallace

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