The big rally...

The Connecticut press was willing to concede that 3,000 people came out on a Sunday afternoon to voice their displeasure at the thought of civil unions legislation. That's somewhat impressive when you consider that the thing had already passed...

Also of note: there were only 80 counter-demonstrators. Still, it's hard to tell from watching TV that such a disparity exists. WTNH (Channel 8) described the pro-family contingent as "over a thousand." I suppose the gay-rights activists could be excused from coming to the Capitol as they got what they were after!

Lots of promises from the pro-family voices to remember this in 2006. If so, much more prayer and hard work is required. The Senate was ready to vote for this by about a 3/4 margin if you recall... Even if the Act were repealed, there would be a flurry of court challenges. What would be the status of people who were "civil-unionized" during the life of the Act?

Danbury on the frontlines of immigration clashes: sparks fly and neighbors seethe.

The AP picks up the scene in booming Danbury, where some residents feel overwhelmed. Mayor Mark Boughton asks that State police be deputized to act as immigration officers. Story is running all over the country...

Professor removed from teaching class on Islamic Fundamentalism

A Manchester Community College professor teaching a class on "Understanding Militant Islamic Fundamentalism" was removed after teaching only one class. Michael Abdelmessih, a Coptic Christian, claims he was told by MCC officials that he was being suspended because he was teaching that Islam teaches revenge. Abdelmessih was quoted in the Journal Inquirer as saying, "This is a very serious situation and everyone in America, everyone in the world, needs to know about the terrorist movement." He is now receiving help from the ACLU.

Another thing we don't make in Connecticut any more ...

We note that Connecticut, which has already lost one seat in Congress in recent years, is in danger of losing another in the not-too-distant future. That would pull us down from six House seats to four, and reduce our electoral votes in Presidential ballots to 6 from 8. This all lessens our influence in the nation. By 2030, our slow population growth rate will produce a situation in which there are as many people over 65 as people under 18. In 2000, there were twice as many people under 18 as there were over 65.

Do you suppose that the incidence of abortion and homosexuality could create a declining birthrate? Many people are finally realizing that there is a "Roe effect," meaning a set of demographic consequences which flow from the Roe v. Wade decision which allowed Americans to abort about one-third of all persons conceived since 1973. Our friends of a more liberal persuasion have indeed noticed that the "red states" are getting redder and also exploding in population because people in those states make more babies - or, at least they abort a lesser percentage of those they do conceive. Conservative writers such as James Taranto at the Wall Street Journal have explored it with humor and a lot of jabs at their liberal opponents.

I realize this is anecdotal evidence, but perhaps you have wondered why so many school buildings have been converted to another use or just go unused, or maybe you have asked why streets and parks just seem emptier of kids than they did 35 years ago...

In the Bible, God tells us that having babies is a good thing. God tells us to choose life, and we pray that Connecticut residents will continue to do so.

Rally at State Capitol on Sunday, April 24

Although the Governor signed the amended Civil Unions Bill into law yesterday, the Rally for marriage and family will still take place at the State Capitol on Sunday, April 24 between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. This will be your opportunity to show the Legislators the strength of opposition to civil unions and same-sex marriage!

The rally will take place on the steps of the State Capitol. Parking is available in the Legislative Office Building Parking Garage. Bus parking is available on Trinity and Elm Streets.

Stay tuned for more developments, and keep praying!

House Approves Civil Unions by 85-63 Margin

It's an event of such great significance that I can't describe it properly. Here we live in a State which so proudly trumpets itself the Constitution State, having given to the world its first written Constitution, the Fundamental Orders. One of the avowed purposes of that document was to maintain the purity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All the more ironic then to be the first State to enact "civil unions" through the will of the Legislature. From auspicious beginnings we can trace peaks and valleys of democracy in Connecticut across 365 years leading to yesterday's ultimate valley.

Despite all protestations to the contrary, we are just a banana peel away from same-sex marriage.

The openly homosexual State Senator Andrew McDonald crowed about the "588 rights and privileges" that will be conferred on parties to these unions.

There were also stalwarts for whom we can give thanks, such as T. R. Rowe of Trumbull, who was quoted as saying "This is really a radical redefinition of what marriage is...we’re going to open up marriage to homosexuals, but we’ll give political cover to lawmakers."

Absent divine intervention, Governor Rell will take advantage of this cover and sign the bill. The House version of the bill will go back to the Senate for action in the coming week. Keep praying and even fasting for God to undertake on behalf of those who wish to see our State enshrine godly principles.

For more of the flavor, see the Register article below.

New Haven Register - News - 04/14/2005 - House OKs civil union measure

Connecticut House Amends Civil Union Bill

By an 80-67 vote, the State House of Representatives a short while ago amended the pending Civil Unions Bill to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.

This would mean that the bill, if passed, would have top return to the State Senate, where it passed easily last week.

You can follow the follow the story up to the minute on the Associated Press State of Connecticut wire or watch live debate at www.ctn.state.ct.us. It's been instructive to watch our legislators go at it, from the merely nervous, to the brave , to the openly homosexual.

Solemn Assembly Called for May 15th! Prayer Vigils will precede it

In America a call has been sounded for ten days of prayer and fasting from the National Day of Prayer on May 5th to Pentecost Sunday, May 15th.

And here in Connecticut we are in a season of great cultural upheaval and redefinition of society’s foundation. It is rightly fitting for the Body of Christ in Connecticut to join together to seek the face of God in repentance and prayer. The prophet Joel enjoins us at such times to”blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a fast and call a solemn assembly.”

A representative group of ministers is echoing the Spirit’s call for God’s people to meet in such assembly here in Connecticut, on May 15 at First Cathedral in Bloomfield beginning at 4:00 PM. (Click here for directions to First Cathedral.)

Please forward and publicize this call to your own church leadership and your personal e-mail lists. We also encourage you to enlist prayer for Connecticut around the world through your various contacts and networks, especially in view of the current, dire situation in our Legislature.

Leading up to the Solemn Assembly will be a number of 24-Hour Prayer Vigils for our State, beginning on Friday, April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. and running until 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 23rd. Find the host location nearest you, and make plans to attend. (For the benefit of hosting churches, please advise them if you are coming.) Come and be prepared to pray concerning important issues facing us such as marriage,corruption in government, murder and violence, apostasy, problems in our schools and seminaries, racism, division, and the unity of Churches.

HOSTING CHURCHES FOR THE 24-HOUR PRAYER VIGILS

Greenwich / Lower Fairfield County Area:
Harvest Time Church, 1338 King Street, Greenwich, CT
Contact: Nick Uva (203) 531-7778

Meriden: New Life Church, 92 Main Street, Meriden, CT
Contact: Gunter Ohler (203) 630-3012

Middletown: Bible Rock Ministries, P.O. Box 106, Higganum, CT
Contact: Catherine Yaghsizian (203) 269-1868

Montville: Fruitful Harvest, 505 Old Colchester Rd., Montville, CT
Contact: Pastor Sharon Biltcliff (860) 848-3277
(Note: this meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will take place on Friday evening only.)

New Britain Area: Wellspring Church, 222 Lincoln Street, Kensington, CT
Contact: Ali Johnson (860) 348-0459

New Haven Area: Gateway Christian Fellowship, 129 Bull Hill Avenue, West Haven, CT
Contact: Scott Tavolacci (203) 934-0880

Waterbury: First Assembly of God, 1245 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT
Contact: Ida DuPaul (203) 753-8023

Willimantic: Harvest Light Christian Fellowship, P. O. Box 153, North Windham, CT
Contact: Ingrid Matell (860) 450-1117

Winsted: Beautiful Gates Christian Ministries, 508 Main Street, Winsted, CT
Contact: Linda Care (860) 738-4887

Six Episcopal Priests in Connecticut Face Action

Six Episcopal Priests are facing church discipline on charges they have abandoned the communion of the church. The dispute stems from the six priests' disagreement over the consecration of a practicing homosexual as an Episcopal bishop. Among the affected parishes are churches in Bristol, Darien, East Haven, and Groton.

Read more at VirtueOnline, a website devoted to orthodox Anglicanism.

State Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill Easily: The Blue State Blues

To the surprise of no one, our State Senate approved legislation which would make Connecticut the first state to pass civil unions for same-sex couples without court action. The vote was 27-9.

The most comprehensive report is probably the Courant's, found here.

A vote is expected in the House perhaps as early as next week. Action as well as prayer is required. More on this later...

You may call this just another case of the "blue state blues," but we can't help noticing that on the day before this vote, Kansas voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to their state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage and "civil unions." Some 18 states have passed similar measures. Still, wire reports would rather focus on Federal court action which gay rights activists hope will nullify the vote. Is there any life left in the concept of government "by the people?"