March, 1998

Happy New Year fellow Dignitarians. 1998 presents a special opportunity for Dignity, San Francisco. On the eve of our 25^th Anniversary the chapter looks forward to celebrating its legacy, meeting the needs of its membership, and facing the new challenges of 1998 and the future. We invite all of you to participate in our celebrations.

Toward this end the Board of Directors established a steering committee (see inset) to outline goals and objectives, plan and schedule events, and detail activities. The committee members were introduced to the community on January 18 immediately following mass. They made a short presentation in the social hall regarding the events planned for the 25^th Anniversary celebrations.

A KICK-OFF BRUNCH was planned for February 1 in the faculty lounge on the UCSF campus. This was a family affair - an opportunity to gather the clan, renew our friendships or get acquainted. Three themes will be emphasized throughout the year as part of our celebration:

• Honor our legacy
• Increase our visibility in the wider community
• Identify what we celebrate which sets us apart

To honor our legacy several projects are planned. We will commission a history both oral and visual. Photos, artifacts and other memorabilia will be displayed throughout the year at the various anniversary events.

One particularly exciting event will be the Lenten Pilgrimage in March to former worship sites.

A bus/ trolley tour of Dignity’s former sites of worship promises to be a highlight of the month. This should provide special fun for the nostalgic and history buffs. Plan to leave momentos.  

This special year also presents us with an opportunity for increasing our visibility in the wider community. The most opportune time will be the June  Gay Pride Parade.

Lots of creative effort is needed to turn thoughts, mission statements, and what we stand for as a community into a particularly outstanding float theme for the parade. We are searching for the creative talent among members to make that happen. Won’t you think about volunteering?

Other outreach activities are also planned. Outreach in bars and cafes will take place. Press releases, developing a Web Site, a newly designed logo and promotional brochures are in the works as well.

contributions

will be made from our tithing fund to organizations promoting gay rights and service to the queer communities.

Finally, we see this year as a time to identify what we celebrate that sets us apart. This activity will enable us to clarify for ourselves who we are NOW. The committee is planning a time for  

 A series of gatherings to recollect memories, ponder our future, and make suggestions are planned for different venues around the Bay.

Later in the year we propose hosting panel discussions and lectures with name speakers to explore gay sexuality and spirituality.

Each one of these projects/ events will take the full cooperation and assistance of the entire Dignity membership. The small planning committee of six people will be asking for your assistance to plan the various events and activities. This is a good time to contribute your time and talents to the broader Dignity presence and ministry in the San Francisco Queer Community.

Back to Top