<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div>Courtesy of the Letters section of today's (July 18, 2015) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with thanks to th<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e Rev. Mary Beth Rivetti.</span></div><div><div><br></div><div>--------------------------------------</div><div><h1 id="blox-asset-title" style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: 400; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; line-height: 34px; font-size: 30px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="blox-headline entry-title" style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); line-height: 38px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Letter: Requesting apology from Daily News</span></h1><p style="outline: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; background-image: none; float: none !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I just returned from a month-long absence, during which time I participated in the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church meeting in Salt Lake City. The gavel dropped to open the legislative sessions just days after news of the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing equal access to marriage for all.</span></p><p style="outline: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; background-image: none; float: none !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As readers may know, our church also agreed to make marriage liturgies available to all who are legally authorized to be married, while at the same time confirming the right of any clergy person to deny marriage to any couple. We did a lot of other things, too, like marching against gun violence and exploring our own institutional racism.</span></p><div class="encrypted-content" style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: none !important;"><p style="outline: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; background-image: none; float: none !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But when we discussed marriage, knowing that there were dissenting voices on the floor, we listened to all comers with respect and due process. We allowed a dissenting minority voice to be heard. But at all times we encouraged loving engagement with one another, and respect for the dignity of everyone. So this morning at breakfast I am greeted by an article featuring a local pastor who has blogged very publicly about his opposition to marriage equality. And above the fold, prominently displayed, a triumphal photo of him trampling a rainbow flag.</span></p></div><div class="encrypted-content" style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: none !important;"><p style="outline: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; background-image: none; float: none !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now, Pastor Wilson is free to put such inflammatory displays in his own extensive media holdings. I am dismayed, however, to find the local paper placing such a provocative photo above the fold - even if the text of the article includes a challenge to the position held by the good pastor. There are a number of leaders of conservative churches, there are a number of conservative Episcopalians even, who aren't happy about either the Supreme Court ruling or the recent actions of The Episcopal Church. Why not interview them if you want a religious take on the matter - maybe with more nuance?</span></p></div><div class="encrypted-content" style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: none !important;"><p style="outline: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; background-image: none; float: none !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd like an apology for the Wilson photo. This isn't how the people of this community behave.</span></p><div class="encrypted-content" style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: none !important;"><p style="text-align: start; outline: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; background-image: none; float: none !important;"><span style="outline: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: 700; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Rev. Mary Beth Rivetti (</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Rector, St. James' Episcopal Church), </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pullman</span></p></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>--------------------------------------</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/GayRights/GayRights_111508_10A.jpg">http://www.moscowcares.com/GayRights/GayRights_111508_10A.jpg</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/GayRights/GayRights_111508.jpg">http://www.moscowcares.com/GayRights/GayRights_111508.jpg</a><br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares"</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></body></html>