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Those Beautiful Re lationships By Rev. John Gill Pastor, Atlanta MCC * * Relat ionships ’ ’ seems to be the key woYd of the day. There is an old saying that “no man (or woman) is an island’’-no person stands alone. Even if there is not another individual standing beside you, there is the “inner you’ v keeping yourself company, and, of course, there is the pres- sence of Almighty God. It makes no difference who “the other’’ is, we find we are constantly involved in different and changing types of relationships. However, true sorrow and pain can develop when these relationships a^e not the finest and most fulfilling. Let me offer you two sug gestions to help create, im prove, or continue your re lationships. When lovers come to me for counseling and say something is wrong in their relationship with one an other the cause of the trou ble is often (although not al ways) either 1.) lack of communication or 2.) the trap of taking someone for granted. You do not have to have a lover to encounter the same two dangers in your relationship with God, self, or others. Let me illustrate some of these problems with spe cific examples. Just be cause you enjoy good health at this time, do not take your blessing for granted. Remember that prayer is the most powerful commu nication between us and God. And your friend, lover, or family member is someone special-never let them forget the fact that you realize and appreciate this truth! Set up some priorities! Work on the peace and love you seek first with God, then yourself, and finally others. And once again those traps are called “lack of communication’’ and “Taking for granted’’ Editor’s Note: The Religion column is open to all ministers of all faiths. Please send your ser mon, 300 words or less to: The Barb P.O. Box 82543- Atlanta, Ga. 30354., and en close a black and white snapshot of yourself if a- vailable. MARE MV HOUSE YOUR HOUSE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT MALE BOX (upstairs) THE ONLY BAR IN TOWN WITH GO-GO BOYS. 774 W. PEACHTREE ST. ATLANTA, GEORGIA Between 4 th. & 5 th. 872 2721 Lounge Hosts Social Fete Columnist Charges Descrimination Macon, Ga.-The Macon chapter of the Gamma Al pha Yiota Sorority will pre sent its Second Annual A- ward and Follies Week-end on November 9, 1974, at The We Three Lounge. The admission which will include a free cocktail party from five til 7 P.M., one free drink after 9 P.M., and the awards, is just $4.00. Charles Elkins, owner We Three urges you to purchase your tickets now because if everything. goes as planned the event will prove to be bigger and better than last years. You may purchase advance tickets from any Sorority member, or at the We Three Lounge. Information as to Motel accomodations may also be obtained from Charles Elk ins, We Three Lounge- phone 434 Cotton Ave. 746- 9193. Don’t miss this festive occasion-make your res ervations today. Detroit, Mich-Dignity, a national organization of Catholic homosexuals and their supporters, and the Gay Ministry Task Force of the Salvatorian Justice and Peace Commission have committed themselves to working cooperatively for a resolution of the contro versy surrounding the Brian McNaught case in Detroit. COMMENTS To The Editor Dear Editor, Although most of us have some religious convict ions, I thought you some what overdid it in last month’s issue of The Barb. Too much of anything will tend to turn people off. I agree that you should continue to publish the Re ligion column though, but I would like to see more news articles. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak my peace. Bruce Columbus, Ga. Dear Bruce, Thank you for your letter and your suggestion. We will agree with you that our religious column was rather lengthy and the front page carried a story about the MCC national conference. SAFE DRIVING A national program that tests the knowledge and driv ing expertise of driver educa tion students is sponsored jointly by the American Vet erans of World War II, Korea and Viet Nam (AMVETS) and the Dodge Division of Chrysler Motors Corporation. The national program, Opera tion Driver Excellence, started in 1967. Student drivers have to win local runoffs to earn the right to compete in the nationals. Some $6,000 in prizes and scholarships are at stake. First- place winner receives a $1,000 college scholarship and a Dodge automobile. The drivers are judged in three phases of motoring: driv ing ability, knowledge of driv ing theory and traffic laws and the ability to handle an auto mobile in emergency situations. The program’s goal is to show that safe driving isn't always enough, that superior driving abilities are needed to anticipate and adapt to emergencies. Perhaps we should ex plain why we are support ive of Metropolitan Com munity Churches. First, MCC, Rev. John Gill, Rev. Jim Snow and CRC Com missioner, Bill Smith had the courage to stand up for the gay community and played an important role in getting the Gay Rights Res olution passed recently in Atlanta-and because of people like them laws are changing everyday. And thirdly, MCC is a great place for social activities- a gay family. Let us also not forget the founder of MCC, the Rev. Troy Perry, who has long been an outstanding spokesman for the gay community. Editor Please send all correspon dence to: The Barb P.O. Box 82543 Atlanta, Ga. 30354 Brian McNaught, a col umnist and staff writer for The Michigan Catholic^ had his weekly column for youth dropped on July 8, after an article appeared in the De troit News detailing his work with the local chapter of Dignity. Brian has charged that the action of dropping his column was taken only after and be cause it became public knowledge that he was “gay’’, and therefore this action constitutes a clear case of discrimination bas ed on sexual orientation, specifically his homosex ual orientation. Because he feels that his church has sinned grievi- ously and that his gay brothers and sisters have been publicly condemned, Brian has pledged to fast until such time as the church makes a positive commitment to educate themselves, and the com munity of the faithful to the horrible wound inflicted upon their gay brothers and sisters in the name of Christian decency and to work constructively for the elimination of the pain the church has caused. MCC Movies 7:30 P.M. Sundays 800 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, Ga . vi METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH 800 NORTH HIGHLAND AVENUE, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30306 (404) 872-2246 REVEREND JOHN W. GILL PASTOR REVEREND JIM N. SNOW ASSISTANT PASTOR SUNDAY Worship Services ........... 2:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. Movies :30 P.M. ALTERNATE WEDNESDAYS Worship Services . *8:00 P.M. Rap Sessions 8:00 P.M.