Exciting News From the Religious Institute

Yesterday was a historic day for the Religious Institute.

We released our latest report, Sexuality and Religion 2020: Goals for the Next Decade, at an audio press conference. I was joined by the esteemed religious historian, Dr. Martin Marty; the director of the women's program for the National Council of Churches, Rev. Ann Tiemeyer; and the President of the National Council of Jewish Women, Nancy Ratzan. How thrilling to have each of them there for the release.

The report is available at our web site, http://www.religiousinstitute.org/ for download. You can read the press release and listen to the audio conference there as well.

The report outlines ten vital goals for sexuality and religion for the next ten years to achieve its vision: that by the year 2020, all faith communities will be sexually healthy, just, and prophetic. You can read the goals at our web site as well.

We also shared the announcement of the first major national religious denomination -- the Unitarian Universalist Association -- to require competencies in sexual health, sexuality education, and sexual justice for all of its ministerial candidates. We salute the UUA for taking this important step and hope it serves as a beacon for other denominations.

And, we announced the formation of our Faithful Voices Network, the first national grassroots, multifaith network of people of faith who are committed to sexual health and justice. If the goals outlined in Sexuality and Religion are to be achieved, energy and activism must arise up from within congregations and communities. We hope YOU will sign the statement:

"As a person of faith, I support sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society"

and that you will pass it on. Please encourage your friends, colleagues, and fellow congregants to join and speak up. Here's the link www.religiousinstitute.org/faithfulvoices

Join us in assuring that all faith communities are sexually healthy, just, and prophetic.