Unraveled

I've been learning to knit, thanks to a great friend who happens to be the super mom, wife, sister, daughter and writer of the universe. I don't know why she likes to torture herself by teaching me to knit, but she apparently does. The first day that I held the yarn and sticks in hand, she showed me a very basic, simple thing, which I then went home and dutifully practiced. Several weeks passed, and today, she showed me how to do the 2nd step. Took me a while, but I finally managed to clumsily get it done several times. Then she sent me home with the balls of yarn and lots of confidence, which now in hindsight were completely unfounded, because I came home and promptly forgot everything my teacher showed me. I not only knotted up everything, I couldn't remember how to restart. The bit of yarn that I practiced with her in the cafe is now so frizzy that I can hardly recognize it as a string of yarn -- more like fuzz. So everything's unraveled except for the very first knot. Sadly, I even called her, plaintively begging for help. As she is an extremely busy person who is well-loved and needed by everyone, I feel terrible for adding to her burden. But I shamelessly blame my friend for introducing me to this wonderfully fun and challenging addiction. She will probably rue the day she said she'll teach me how to knit.

But, I'm loving it. It's one more thing that I can do in addition to origami. Instead of papering my apartment and my office with origami cranes, I'm going to actually do something that is worthwhile and useful. My mother thinks that I'll be able to knit her and my dad something for Christmas. I said, sure, Christmas 2012 they'll get their first scarves knitted by me. Maybe. If my teacher doesn't kill me first.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Last Thursday, I went with a few friends to see and hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo at UCB's Zellerbach Hall. They were phenomenal. Great harmonies, fun, creative, beautiful... They are amazing musicians.

Go here to read their biography. Brief info on the group:

Ladysmith Black Mambazo represents the traditional culture of South Africa and is regarded as the country's cultural emissary at home and around the world. In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May of 1994. They are a national treasure of the new South Africa in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa.

The traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is called ISICATHAMIYA (Is-Cot-A-Me-Ya). It was born in the mines of South Africa. Black workers were taken by rail to work far away from their homes and their families. Poorly housed and paid worse, they would entertain themselves, after a six-day week, by singing songs into the wee hours every Sunday morning. Cothoza Mfana they called themselves, "tip toe guys", referring to the dance steps choreographed so as to not disturb the camp security guards. When miners returned to the homelands, the tradition returned with them. There began a fierce, but social, competition held regularly and a highlight of everyone's social calendar. The winners were awarded a goat for their efforts and, of course, the adoration of their fans. These competitions are held even today in YMCA assembly halls and church basements throughout Zululand South Africa.

Throughout the first portion of the performance, I kept wanting to listen carefully to distinguish the different harmonies, but I learned it was just more enjoyable to close my eyes and listen to the beautiful notes drifting up from the eight microphones and enveloping us in a capella melodies...

At one point, the entire auditorium joined in song with the group. For the finale, the group invited members from the audience to go on stage to dance with them. It was absolutely amazing. Go here to see if their tour will bring them to your neck of the woods...

Brilliant artist Bernice

If you've not seen, please go here to see. However, these tiny thumbnails don't do any justice... you must visit the Fourth Street Studio (opening March 28th) to view the art in person. Vibrant, incredible pieces that will amaze you with their vitality. [Just so you know, I get to work with her. Am I lucky or what?!]

Drowned in a well: drought or flood?

For all of human history, people have desired to live closer to water for food and sustenance. Water is a necessity for life, yet so many people in the developming world struggle to access a clean source of this basic element. Every day, 4,000 children die from water-borne disease. Join us in creating sustainable sources of clean water for families who cannot survive without it. (- from Episcopal Relief & Development 2009 Lenten Meditations)

I have two observations, and the only correlation is water.

A few weeks ago, I saw a segment on the History Channel's program called "How the Earth was Made." The show for that day elaborated on the Marianna Trench in the Pacific Ocean, telling viewers about the majestic system of tectonic plates and magma currents. I found out that the trench is the deepest trench in the earth's oceans, and it is the place where "old crusts" go to die, to be swallowed up again underneath the ocean floors. As the crust is swallowed up slowly over time, the ocean will slowly "shrink" and over millions of years we will no longer have a Pacific Ocean. Water will be gone. The continents will shift, and Australia will be neighboring Seattle. California will no longer have a Pacific Coast. Our earth, as we know it, will change forever, and if we don't pay attention to change our ways, the earth will be destroyed faster than the human species can evolve and adapt.

Our church supports something called Youth and Child Visionary Ministries. YCVM is a local Christian effort to care for orphan children of Kumi in Eastern Uganda. Months ago, we found out that the project to build a well was successful, but tragedy struck soon after the project was completed. A child drowned in the well.

During Lent, as we reflect on water and the suffering of no water or too much water, I'm reminded that in the beginning of Creation, "God made the expanse and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse" (Gen 1:7). With our God given knowledge, we have pushed in the dark expanse of the universe, and we have delved deep into the ocean waters. We've peered into the nucleus of the atom and we've replicated DNA. We humans have boldly crossed boundaries and borders of different kinds; we have systematically chipped away at the good separation of earth and skies; we have failed at our duty to be good stewards of this earth and this heaven. We've crossed boundaries in exciting and dangerous ways, pushing us farther and farther away from our responsibilities, and we do so sometimes with carelessness, sometimes with respectful awe. Are we ready to face the consequences of our careless destruction of God's creations? Have we forgotten what we were entrusted with? Emboldened with the knowledge to harness the powers of the earth, the skies, the waters, we must take seriously our responsibility in using that knowledge. If we build a well, we must never forget its life-giving and life-taking powers.

Hope should remain on that deep level

When braving any new book of poems -- particularly by an author you're not too familiar with -- it's best to brace yourself and expect the worst. This needn't involve cynicism. Indded, you probably shouldn't be opening the book in the first place if you aren't, on some deep level, already hoping for the best -- that is, the discovery of a great poem. But hope should remain on that deep level, well-protected, until the shell that shields it is genuinely jarred.

- Jason Guriel, "Going Negative", Poetry, March 2009

Here I Am, Lord, by Michael Chitwood

The ribbed black of the umbrella
is an argument for the existence of God,

that little shelter
we carry with us

and may forget
beside a chair

in a committee meeting
we did not especially want to attend.

What a beautiful word, umbrella.
A shade to be opened.

Like a bat's wing, scalloped.
It shivers.

A drum head
beaten by the silver sticks

of rain
and I do not have mine

and so the rain showers me.

Do You Believe in Lazarus?

Do you believe in Lazarus? Do you believe a dead man can be resurrected?


Does it matter?


It might.


That was one of the refrains that I heard while watching Marilyn Campbell's and Curt Columbus's adaptation of Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

In this season of Lent and while looking toward Easter, it's not surprising that I tuned into that refrain. As I sat in the theater listening to Raskolnikov arguing with his conscience, watching as he struggled in every way possible with his soul -- tipping so precariously on the cusp of redemption -- I was reminded of who we are as a people, as a global community guilty of the slow death of the planet, death of the people on this planet, death of the trees and birds and all other creatures inhabiting this earth. Do we believe that we can be redeemed and rise again? Or perhaps, can we redeem ourselves and help the earth to "rise again"?

There's no ambiguity about our guilt, our culpability, in the earth's slow destruction. We've had a hand in destroying the planet. Not only have we had a hand in it, we've thrown our full force behind it -- not ust individuals but also (or more so) whole corporations and companies ganging up on the poor planet. We've perfected the art of killing. In fact, we are doing it now with little effort. We may not have killed a pawnbroker like Roskolnikov did, but we've taken an ax to the forests, oceans, mountains, valleys, icebergs, plains, etc.

And I'm not sure that we are doing all these things in pursuit of a higher purpose. Are we?

If we believe that something dead can be brought back to life, if we have faith in the power of resurrection, if we trust in the resurrecting power of Community, then we can change what is happening now and reverse the negative effects on the environment. Take a look at the different groups that are now populating the internet to provide us information and suggestions on how to live green. Take a look at the churches and different faith communities that are taking action in hopes of reviving, regenerating the earth. Take a look at the countries that are taking part in the global effort to heal the world and build a better place to live. (I can link you to some samples, but what if you went in search of them yourself? Make an educational experience out of it for your kids, even. But, if you need recommendations, let me know in the Comments section. Or, if you'd like, recommend some sites for other readers to research and explore. If in CA, I do suggest that you check this out, though.)

If you believe in Lazarus, and if you believe that life can be brought back, you can make a big difference because the planet is not yet dead. We have much hope. Struggle with your conscience, but also start by turning off running water when washing hands, or changing the lightbulb on your lamp. Carpool, bike, or walk. If you must drive, drive a hybrid. Start composting. Write to your congressional leaders urging them to pass bills that support green energy. Invest in companies that care about sustainable development. Talk to your children about being green. Join an advocacy group. Donate some money. Plant a tree. There's so much to do...

God, help our unbelief...

Crime & Punishment

I just returned from watching Crime and Punishment at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. It is absolutely wonderful. As you can imagine quite a lot of content (and characters) get spliced out of the story, but that's what happens when you pare down a substantial novel into 90 minutes on the stage. However, the performances were powerful, and the stage setting was inspirational. The entire set consisted of one metal frame spring bed, one wooden table, two metal folding chairs, and an entire wall of doors. I should have counted to see how many doors were there, but they were painted various shades of blue and gray, and the actors entered and exited the scenes through these doors. They were fabulously hung from ceiling to floor... If only I had my camera with me.

The world premier opened in Illinois, but I absolutely recommend that you go see it (if it's coming to your city). Visit the Berk Rep website (see link above) to read about the playwrights and the play. It's a wonderful opportunity!

Row Row Row Your Boat

Nobody preaches about how hard it is to stay in the boat. There is a raging storm, the boat's probably about to capsize, there are no lights, and yet attention is always focused on the guy who abandoned ship. Why is that? Why does no one preach about how hard it is to try and stay afloat?

Yesterday, we heard a(nother) sermon based on the passage in Matthew 14 (vv.22-36) about Peter walking on water. We've all heard these sermons. Regardless of how well the homilist preaches, the majority of the sermons that I've heard focus on one of several things: Peter's great big faith that allowed him to leap out of the boat; Peter's tragic weakness and lack of faith in the face of a surging storm; Peter's ardent desire to be like Jesus; Peter's vanity in wanting to be like Jesus; Peter's faith restored; Peter willing to take risks; etc, etc etc. Whatever the homily, whatever the occasion, whatever the context, sermons that I've heard about this passage often focus on the narrative, the dramatic, the suspense. Even Children's Time talks often focus on the magical image of Peter walking on the surface (not even ankle deep, mind you!)...

So given that we're talking about the Sea of Galilee, the scale is like 100:1, but I want to imagine a bit here...

What happens when we are trapped in the middle of a large body of water, tossed about by raging winds, the boat flooded with salt water, boat-mates frozen in fear (or scared out of their wits with frenzy, fear), and the guy who always wanted to be in charge has suddenly abandoned ship by jumping overboard? Might we paddle a bit harder? Might we lunge after sails and ropes, try and secure our safety, strap ourselves to some planks, some barrels, maybe some railing? And if it be a little baby of a boat, wouldn't we be even more scared at the prospect of capsizing? Would the seemingly imminent death by drowning force us to cast about for some sort of rescuing device? If that little boat is about to overturn, would we be frantic about staying firmly planted, using those wooden buckets to prevent the boat from taking on water? Do we sit still and pray?

The more I hear this more, the less impressed I become with Peter's great faith. I don't doubt the strength or degree of faith that is necessary for him to lunge into the waters. I want to shift the camera just slight and pan the lens toward the people back in the little boat. Imagine the camera zooming in to see their faces, their concentrated eyes and scared faces. Sometimes, it is much harder to stay on board that it is to simply jump overboard. Sometimes, the people trying to keep the boat afloat often end up workig the hardest.

In my opinion, a lot of courage is needed to continue working and treading water when you feel abandoned, confused, lost, as if God was not present at all. It's one thing for Peter to head toward Jesus, to turn his faith toward God, but he did so at great risk -- one could even imagine at the cost of abandoning his friends and companions. How much harder it must be to row an entire group toward Christ, to steer the boat in the direction of hope, faith, and security!

At our church in Chinatown, how many of us feel like we want to jump overboard to head to some safer place, some better shelter away from the winds? How many of us want to find a church that is not decaying or retrogressing? How many of us want to flock to some megachurch with preplanned services, ready-made spiritual formation programs, or 95% full church pews that don't require us to do any work other than to show up on Sunday mornings or during Lent and Christmas? Wouldn't that make things easier? Why work so hard to waste our energy by staying behind to build up a faith community? Why save a dying church? Why not join another?

In our workplaces -- at CDSP even -- how many of us want to find alternate employment to help us out of our terrible economic rut? How many want to find some other organization with a different mission statement and differing views to work with and work for? How many of us want to jump ship to another office in another city in another state? How many other workplaces can we find, how many other institutions can we buy into without having to work overtime to help an academic institution with a rapidly decreasing donor base and a slowly growing (if not static) enrollment count? Why not jump overboard and join another institution?

And, how many of us want to escape to another country? I'll be honest and admit that during the presidential election, I spoke candidly to a friend about the possibility of moving out of the country, perhaps to travel or to work or study abroad, to escape at all cost if my candidate of choice did not win the presidential election. I considered becoming an expat; the prospect of abandoning ship was not so terrible but grew even more enticing when a certain candidate decided to name a female running mate whose politics and demeanor I disagreed with. The situation seemed bleak, and I was ready to jump in with any other country if any would have this American. I practically climbed over the side of the "American ship" to make my plunge b/c surely trying to walk on water was better than staying onboard.

Finally, how many of us want to escape off this planet? Clean, renewable energy seems so fantastical; the water's polluted and clean water is being depleted per every shower I take in the mornings; the trees are being cleared faster than I can count the number of pages I print from my personal printer; the climate is warming up at alarming rates, the ice is melting, the animals are dying. Poverty, hunger, sickness, death... all that should make us want to jump ship twice over.

Truth is, we can talk about moon colonies and Mars colonies, but there is only one planet Earth. At least in my lifetime and probably that of my children, I won't be able to abandon this planetary ship. We are stuck here and we are stuck good. We'll need to paddle harder, faster, smarter, and more creatively. We'll need to stick together, with no one going rogue. It's not easy to turn things around, not easy to overturn a boat that's 2/3 capsized, but it's not impossible if we do it together.

Consider the efforts of the United Nations and the Millennium Development Goals, consider the Heifer project, and consider the ONE Campaign. These are strong examples of people huddling together in that figurative boat trying to stay alive. If we imagine the earth as a massive ark in which we all have to contribute to keep afloat, we'll see the connectness of Creation. Sometimes a body (or nation) needs to be pushed just a bit harder (ahem, the U.S. only contributes 0.16% when every other nation promised to contribute 0.7% of the GDP to developing nations).

We need to make the (sometimes) harder choice of staying in the boat, of being chastised as being weak and poor in faith. And perhaps that's what we need to wake us up to the fact that we
all carry the responsibility to live well because we are a part of Creation -- to be good and faithful albeit scared stewards, we each need to stay firmly grounded.

One thing I forgot to mention? While Peter's jumped overboard and these guys were struggling in/with the boat, Jesus is headed in their direction. They were never far from the grace, peace, love, and calmness that they needed. We, too, are never far from the Peace and Love that we need in order to live through something so terrifyingly uncertain. We need to make a commitment now. Abandon ship, or stay onboard and row row row your boat.

Goats don't fit in paper arks

As you have probably already read, I've been trying to fill up my Noah's Ark. Last Saturday, we were asked to think about Goats. Since I was born in the year of the Goat and I'm pretty goatish in nature, I decided to add a bit extra in the ark. You can do the same! Visit here if you are interested in giving a goat (for $120), or sharing in giving a goat ($10).

Goats Are Great for Families

The gift of a dairy goat represents a lasting, meaningful way for you to help a little boy or girl on the other side of the world.

Goats can thrive in extreme climates and on poor, dry land by eating grass and leaves. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of nutritious milk a day - a ton of milk a year. Extra milk can be sold or used to make cheese, butter or yogurt. Families learn to use goat manure to fertilize gardens.

Goats often have two or three kids a year making it easy for Heifer recipients to pass on the gift of a goat to another family in need. This great investment allows our partners to lift themselves out of poverty by starting small dairies that earn money for food, health care and education.

You can also view the Gift Catalog to find the right gift fit for your pocket. There's a wonderfully cute picture of a llama and a flock of chicks, too!

Fill up the ark: Week 2

OK, here we are with suggestions for week 2 of the Heifer International Project, An Ark for Today's World.

Week 2
"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and all who live in it." - Psalm 24:1

Sunday: Protecting Nature
Heifer International stresses the need to protect our planet. We strongly support "buffer zones" around rain forests and other tropical areas; our programs teach farmers to raise animals and grow trees and grasses. This training helps ensure that people do not disturb the protected forests, home to precious water supplies and many endangered species. Add your own ark contribution today.

Monday: Bulls
Ecologically-sound farming practices are being taught in the U.S., where families are enjoying thenutritiona and economic benefits of heifers and bulls. Seeing eye-to-eye? Add a nickel for every argument you've had this week.

Tuesday: Rabbits
Rabbits are a good choice for families with small amounts of land. Rabbits can live in small, confined areas and eat available grass. And they can be moved in a basket if necessary. What's up doc? Give a nickel for each carrot in your refrigerator.

Wednesday: Fish
In the Phillippines, fresh fish were scarce but there was plenty of water. AFter receiving fish fingerlings supplied by Heifer, women built a pond and filled it with tilapia fish. Now everyone is eating well and all share inthe fishy harvest. Are you a swimmer? Add 20 cents if you can swim. Add 25 cents if you can't.

Thursday: Fertilizer
Purely organic, manure improves the soil and can dramatically inrease a family's garden production. Compost made from manure holds moisture and prevents erosion. Do you compost? Add 10 cents if you do; 25 cents if you don't.

Friday: Bison
Enormous herds of bison once roamed the plains of North America. Today, many farmers keep domesticated bison, alson known as buffalo, for their high-quality, tasty meat. Have you ever eaten a buffalo burger? If so, give 15 cents. If not, give 10 cents.

Saturday: Guinea Pig
In Bolivia, guinea pigs provide an easy-to-manage protein source and a source of income. This animal is enabling many families to become self-supporting in this South American nation. Animals are valued in every land. Add 25 cents for every pet you have. If you only have stuffed animals, add 10 cents for every animal.

Fill up the ark... Yay!!!

Fill Up the Ark: Week 1

Participating in the Ark project means that each day we fill the paper ark with the goal of expressing God's love and grace to others. The giving calendar that Heifer Int'l gave to us in addition to the paper ark includes daily suggestions for how to fill it up (of course, we can put in as much as we want!). The first week comes to a close soon, but just so you can see some of the hilarious ideas, here they are:

Week 1
"They, and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creep upon the earth... They went into the ark with Noah. " Genesis 7:14-15

Sunday: The Gift of Hope
The most important gift people receive from Heifer Int'l is one they can't see, feel, or smell. It's the gift of hope. Because of your donation, lies can be restored. Families can become self-supporting again. And they can share their hope with others by "passing on the gift." Hope is contagious, and it starts with your gift. Add your own ark contribution today.

Monday: Bees
Heifer gives beehives to families in Kenya. Honey and wax from the hives provide income and an be used for medicine. Where's the honey jar? Add 25 cents for every jar of honey in your kitchen. (I used to have 1 jar so I put in 25 cents, plus 50 cents for not using it all before throwing it away in the move ove the summer.)

Tuesday: Dairy Cows
To increase nutrition levels and family income through milk and butter sales, 60 Ukrainian families received 30 pregnant heifers. Got milk? Add 15 cents if you have chocolate milk in your refrigerator, 20 cents if white milk. (I have soy milk, so 30 cents!)

Wednesday: Hay
After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, even farmers living 100 miles inland suffered storm damage. High winds ripped away barn roofs, exposing the cattle fed inside to rain. Much of the feed was ruined. Heifer stepped in to help provide fed to get these farmers' animals through the winter. What do you hear? Give 10 cents for every time you yell "Hey Mom" today. Give 25 cents every time she yells back. (10 cents for every hour of tv I watch this evening!)

Thursday: Chickens
Kentucky families who make less than $6,000 a year benefit from added income from dairy and beef cattle, dairy goats and chickens for egg and food production. What's in the fridge? Add 5 cents for every egg you find in your refrigerator, or 50 cents for every dozen. (I had no eggs in our fridge, so I put in 5o cents for one jar of butter and one jar of creme fraiche.)

Friday: Vegetables
By growing vegetable gardens, youths living amid violence and poverty are being taught valuable entrepreneurial skills while contributing to household income. Does ketchup count? For every different kind of vegetable in your refrigerator, add 5 cents.

Saturday: Goat
Humans have relied on goats for their milk, meat, hair and skin for thousands of years. Because goats are friendly and affectionate, caring for them is often considered a good chore for children. Do you like cheese made from goat milk? If so, give 15 cents. If not, give 20 cents.

Fill up the ark... Yay!!!

An Ark for Today's World

Last Sunday, our pastor preached on the covenant of the rainbow based on the story of Noah and his ark (Genesis 6-9). As I sat listening to reminders of promises of God's faithfulness and grace in saving the people of the world, I thought about different kinds of floods that threaten to destroy our earth. Poverty. Hunger. HIV/AIDS. Environmental degradation. As a people of faith, we are called to live out a different kind of faithfulness, I think. It's about our call to share our resources -- bread, nets, clothing, housing, etc. -- and in embodying Christian stewardship, we are bringing the Good News of Christ to all peoples.

For the 2009 Lenten season, my church is participating in the Heifer International project for congregations: An Ark for Today's World.

People of faith can work together to provide the earth's poor and humble people who are close to God's heart with the means of a livelihood. Heifer animals -- llamas in Ecuador, pigs in Cameroon, water buffalo in Thailand, chickens in Mississippi -- offer ongoing sources of milk, meat, or eggs. They suppl fertilizer and draft power that enrich the environment, not deplete it.

In partnership with congregations, Heifer International is an art of refuge for hungry families. Heifer puts faith into action with its time-proven principle of "passing on the gift." Every family who receives livestock agrees to pass on one or more of its animal's offspring, or the equivalent, to another neighbor in need. Project partners pass on new ways of animal husbandry and land management, too -- a rainbow of hope for the whole community.

I am pleased that our very small congregation is willing to take on this project to challenge ourselves. With this project, we take concrete action to bring real solutions to the families in need. We can think about protecting the environment and also help educate as well as empower.

Each faily in the congregation is given a paper ark where we can collect money. The arks are small but the gifts they bring are too big to even estimate.

As it was with Noah, the ark is about hope, about a new beginning. For Heifer families, animals can provide:

• food for the children like milk, eggs or meat
• income for housing, health care, school fees and other needs
• motivation to plant trees and grasses and make other environmental improvements
• a catalyst for community development

In 2008, over 140,000 families were helped by Heifer International's "values-based community development model that includes gifts of animals and training and 'passing on the gift'." I hope that what we do for Lent this year will help other families in the same way.

And, look @ what we might end up giving:

• Chicks
• Cows
• Fish
• Goats
• Llamas
• Pigs
• A Trio of rabbits
• Sheep
• Water buffalo
• Package of Seedlings
• The Gift Ark: a boatload of $5000 that represents pigs, camels, water buffalo, guinea pigs, trios of ducks, flocks of chicks, oxen, cows, rabbits, donkeys, beehives, sheep, llamas, flocks of geese and goat

We began on Sunday, and will continue for four weeks. Let the fun continue... Yay!!!!

Don't divorce my friends

Too many of my friends and coworkers will be affected. It is only right that we join with over 360,000 people who want to make a statement to the CA Supreme Court to speak up against Ken Starr and Prop 8.

We, the undersigned, share President Barack Obama's view that for too long, issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect.

Yet, on December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the marriages of 18,000 devoted same-sex couples solemnized before Prop 8 passed.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.

We, the undersigned, ask that the Court enforce the equality promised to each of us by our constitution and invalidate Prop 8. So doing will protect all loving, committed couples in California -- including the 18,000 who said "I do" last year -- and prevent the initiative process from being a tool for stripping vulnerable minorities of precious constitutional rights.

As Americans who believe in the rule of law and fundamental civil rights, we know that Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's shameful attempt to nullify equal protection and all these bonded unions will be condemned in the eyes of history. We know that, ultimately, love will prevail, no matter how hard they try to fight it.

Sincerely,

360,000 people & counting...

Sign the letter here.