Speakers at Southern Tier Pride

As a member of The Park Church, Open and Affirming congregation I would consider myself as a healthy liberal Christian. It is important to realize in today’s society the word “Christian” can have a negative undertone when it comes to diversity of any type.  As we see in mainstream media, Christians are believed to lean heavily to the right.  I hope to some day change that idea.
 
Park Church’s deep roots in the community extend back to a group of 41 people who in 1846 left a local Protestant church to start a church that would help foster the Abolitionist movement in upstate NY.  These visionaries held a belief that no human being should own another.  At that time churches supported slavery in their doctrine.  Those courageous souls took a stand for what they believed to be spiritually right.

With strong beliefs in Christianity, The Park Church went on to fight for women’s right’s, civil rights and for the rights of the LGBT community.  Our mantra along with the United Church of Christ’s is “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here”.

Having grown up in the area I attended Corning Community College where my major was Human Services with a minor in Business Administration then transferred to Midwestern State University (B.A Human Services 1991) to continue my education.

I have lived and worked in NYC, Washington D.C., and Dallas, Texas. I choose to move back to the region to be closer to my family and friends, to become a piece of this great community. The Chemung Valley has so much to offer to those willing to experience it. 

I spent many happy years working at the Arnot Art Museum as the Director of Marketing and Visitor Services, attended Cornell University (MA. Public Administration 2002) and in 2005 several friends and I founded Community Arts of Elmira. 

My goal as an Elmiran, a member of the Park Church and a human being will be to continue to work for social justice in conjunction with people and communities struggling against systemic oppression.  Elmira and the community as a whole will benefit from an atmosphere of tolerance, diversity and understanding.

Join me on June 14th at Southern Tier Pride. I plan to witness the acceptance of a loving God as well as friends whom I adore and accept me for who I am.  We may experience the ignorance and intolerance of people who call them selves Christians.  Christians who use the bible as a work used to discriminate and isolate.  Not a work of peace and love. Come together, be strong, be proud.

Local Participation:

Co-founder Community Arts of Elmira
Vice-President Community Arts Elmira
Past candidate for Elmira City council.
Near Westside Board member
Christian Education committee, The Park Church
Council Clerk, The Park Church
Member the Chemung County Democratic Committee
Master Gardener