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Carl Bird
Carl Bird is the Director, Corporate Services for the Municipal Corporation of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Corporate Services is responsible for Capital and Operating Budget preparation, Municipal Taxation and Property Assessment, a full range of financial services including: financial accounting and reporting; accounts receivable; accounts payable; utility billing; and collections. Additionally, Carl oversees the purchasing and general stores operations, risk management and insurance and all aspects of Information Technology Services.
Prior to joining the City, Carl was the Director of Corporate Services for the Department of Executive of the GNWT for 9 years and Manager of Corporate Reporting and Collections for 3 years during which time he was a key member of a team that negotiated the Division of Assets and Liabilities between the NWT and the new territory of Nunavut in April 1999. Carl spent 18 years in the Canadian Navy as a Naval Supply Officer and Comptroller until 1996.
Carl is a Certified General Accountant and has been a member of GFOA since joining the City of Yellowknife in 2008. Carl is also a participant in the Western Canada GFOA.

subset: commoncrawl


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School Board Trustee Steps Down After Miss Black Texas DisputeA board member with the Commerce ISD stepped down Tuesday morning in the wake of a dispute with a former Miss Black Texas. Michael Beane was involved in a confrontation with Carmen Ponder last month.
Commerce Man Executed For Killing City Code Enforcement WorkerA Texas man on death row for killing a worker who was on his property looking for city code violations was put to death Tuesday.
Police: Multi-County Car-Stealing Spree Started In IrvingCommerce Police say the man stole several cars and crashed all of them.
Convicted Killer In North Texas Hoarding Case Loses AppealA federal appeals court has refused an appeal from a 32-year-old man sent to death row for gunning down a North Texas city's code enforcement officer in a trash dispute nearly 10 years ago.
TGF: Recipe: Fried ChickenCamille Ford and Tailgate Fan chow down on fried chicken from Commerce in NYC.
Heavy Rain Causes Flooding In CommerceStreets have flooded and a handful of houses have water rushing through them on the south side of town.
General Motors Invests $500K To Improve Arlington Assembly PlantGeneral Motors is investing more than $500 million to improve its Arlington assembly plant, which means more jobs are on the way.
Armed Homeowner Detains Burglary SuspectPolice in Commerce arrested a suspected car burglar after he was detained by a homeowner with a gun. The suspect was allegedly witnessed breaking into cars in a neighborhood.
Arlington Unveils New Downtown Signage, Ad CampaignCity, business and community leaders gathered for an early morning ceremony Wednesday and launched the dawn of a new image campaign for downtown.
Grackles Take Over Fort Worth Shopping CenterA gaggle of grackles have taken over a Fort Worth shopping center, making customers duck and cover as they dart into stores to shop.
Commerce Mom Grieving After Child Killed In FireA mother in Hunt County is dealing with the loss of her 4-year-old daughter, who died in a mobile home fire on Monday night.
4-Year-Old Dies In Commerce Mobile Home FireInvestigators in the Hunt County city of Commerce are trying to determine what caused a mobile home fire that killed a 4-year-old girl.


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Several days have past since being with the 3 brothers.. My body needed to recover from what it just went through.. All I've done has been lounge around the house and pool...
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Several days have past since being with the 3 brothers.. My body needed to recover from what it just went through.. All I've done has been lounge around the house and pool.. It was Thursday night close to 11.. I was laying in bed reading a book.. Aunt Mary had gone to bed for the night. There was a tap on my window and I looked to see Danny standing there...I got up and let him in the sliding door.. Seeing him made my pussy awaken instantly.. He leaned down and gave me a softy sweet kiss and a hug.. "I was happy to see your bedroom light on. I wanted to see you". We sat down on the couch and started making out..And he really is a good kisser.. He pulled me on top of him and wrapped his big arms around me. Pulling me even more closer.. He was still sitting up with me on his lap.. My chest pressed against his.. His lips leave mine and start kissing my neck.. Pushing the strap of my shirt out of his way, he kisses down my chest till his mouth latches onto my nipple.. He sucks on it lightly at first.. With his hand he rolls the other nipple between his fingers.. He pulled away and said " hey Hey you're getting a little loud and we dont want to wake Aunt Mary.. Lets get a blanket and go out past the pool.." Sounded good to me so I grabbed the comforter and Danny got us 2 cokes.. I made sure the outside lights were turned off and we went out.. The moon was out but only half showed.. Which gave us enough light to see... This is going to be a first for me. Never had sex outside in the wide open.. No way to do that in NY.. Except in a car parked on a dark street.. Danny spread the blanket out on the grass.. There was a dog barking off in the distance.. Then Danny lit up a big fat joint and took a big hit before passing it to me.. I took a hit just not as big as his and past it back to him.. I sat down and kicked off my flip flops..I never even bothered to get dressed.. Just had my tank top on and my pink panties.. Danny removed his shirt and shorts throwing them to the side.. He took another big hit before sitting down.. We past the joint back and forth till there was almost nothing left.. Danny smiles at me and says " you know its not fair that I'm the only one naked here." I just had to laugh.. That's what I said the other night... I gladly pulled my top off and stood up right next to him.. I slowly remove my panties giving him a nice show... Danny wasted no time.. He pushed my legs apart and dove face first into my pussy, licking my clit with a frenzy.. I had to hold his head to keep my balance.. Just as I was about to cum he pulled away... He layed down on his back and his cock standing straight up.. I didn't want him to stop eating me , so I straddled his head and leaned over taking his whole cock into my mouth... His tongue darted in and out of my pussy hole.. Then he'd flick over my clit but going straight back to my hole.. He took my inner pussy lips into his mouth and began to suck on them.. harder and harder... Again with the pleasure and pain.. It just Hurts so good.. I sucked his cock even harder... He he could feel my vocal cords vibrate when I moaned.. And just as I am about to cum again he pulls away... I cry out in aggony.. He moves out from between my legs and pulls me by the arm up to him... In the sexiest voice I've ever heard Danny said " I want you to ride me." I gladly stood up and then lowered myself down onto his cock.. Once he was all the way in I began to bounce on his cock.. Having my feet flat on the floor and holding his hands helped me keep my balance to bounce... It was his turn to moan loud now.. That dog off in the distance started to bark again.. Danny never stood a chance once I started bouncing.. I was in control now... When I started to cum, it triggered his orgasm... I collapsed on top of him... Both of us are gasping for air... I slowly roll off him and lay in his arm next to him... We dont speak for several minutes till finally Danny says " Lily what happened the other night with all of us was incredible.. I never in million years ever thought I would have been involved in something like that.. I just want to you to know that I like you... So does Jimmy and Dave.. We like you alot.. and we just wanted you to know that." "I like all 3 of you guys too.. I've always had the fantasy about 2 guys but having 3 was even better.. And for some strange reason I felt safe with all 3 of you.. I just somehow knew you wouldn't hurt me.."I then looked up and continued to say " The way you got rough with me turned me on like never before.. I guess in a way its like being willingly raped.. or gangbanged..." I got quiet for a couple of minutes... I dont think either of us knew what to say... "Would you want more guys" he asks.. " I dont know, never thought about it.. I guess... maybe.. " "Jimmy, Dave and myself are going fishing this weekend and we wondered if you would like to come along" " I've never been camping and I doubt my Aunt would let me go with 3 guys.. " " Dont worry about your Aunt, she'll let you.. Let me deal with that.. Ok" OK Danny Helped me carrying everything back into the house before he left.. The next day Aunt Mary and I went food shopping.. I nearly had a heart attack with her driving.. She drives a big old buick on the little country roads.. I was never so thankful to pull into a parking lot.. Aunt Mary was buying food I liked.. We ran into Mrs Winston with our cart.." Hi Mary they say in unison.. Guess Mrs Winstons name is Mary too.. They chit chatted while I looked for tuna fish.. " O Lily the boys tell me you have never in your life been camping. " then she turns to Aunt Mary continuing " Danny told me its cause she is afraid of wild animals getting her".. And she giggled... So did Aunt Mary... I stood there thinking... What the Hell Then I caught on... This is how Danny was planning to get me to come... So I turn and say in a little girl voice " but they will get me".. " O Lily dont be silly.. Nothing will get you... You should go with the boys this weekend.. They'll show you.. All 3 of my boys were boy scouts.." "I'm afraid" is all I say... That's when Aunt Mary said " Lily you would be perfectly safe.. Those 3 boys wouldn't let anything hurt you.. I think you should go and get over your fear.".. I looked down at my feet and said " I dont know , maybe.. I have to think about it." "Lily I promise you, it will be ok" said Mrs Winston.. I stood there quietly for several seconds.. I didn't want to seem anxious.. I finally said " Ok" very low.. Aunt Mary patted my shoulder saying " You'll be just fine."... Saturday morning we left to go camping for the night... I even cried a little before we left for effect... Once we drove away out of sight Jimmy says " did you get them" Dave says " Yes" and holds up a pair of keys.. Jimmy then says "did you put the fakes in place".. " Yes, they'll never notice grandpa's cabin keys gone"... we drove for about an hour before we left the main hwy onto a much smaller road.. Then we made a few turns.. there were so many trees... All big and green... Finally we pulled off onto a dirt road and drove for another 10 minutes.. It was bright and sunny but now its dark with all the trees.. Their leafs are blocking out the sun... Kinda scary.. In the middle of all this is a cabin.. We came to a stop and got out... We really are in the middle of no where... No one could ever heard us here is all I am thinking... I get excited thinking about it... Dave unlocks the front door and we go in... The inside isn't too bad.. Its one giant kitchen/living room and it looks like it has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom of it.. The kitchen has a stove,fridge , a sink and some cabinets, with a Large wooden table.. the living room has 2 big sofa's a chair and a fireplace.. Exposed beams going across the whole large room.. They guys carried some food in.. Danny dropped a huge bag of pot on the table.. I had brought some too so I took it out of my bag along with my bong and placed it on the table also... Jimmy looked at it all and said " O hell yeah" I hear car doors slam and I turned to look.. All of us were in the house, who was outside In walked 1, 2 , 3 guys... I didn't know what to think.. The approached the table where I was sitting and said Hi.. Jimmy introduced them as Billy, he is really tall with bright red hair and a decent body.. The next guy is John, he's short compared to the rest of them.. He has long dirty blonde hair and is very sexy.. And finally there's Joey.. He has dark hair , olive complextion and beautiful dark blue eyes... He looks like all the guys I'm used too just much hotter.. I'm still kinda frightened I look at Danny and then excuse myself.. I head into 1 of the bedrooms.. Danny follows me in... "Lily is something wrong" "Danny why are they here" "You know why.. If you dont want to you just have to say no, but if you want to try we can... and if you want to stop all you have to do is say so.. " I sit down on the bed... I'm so turned on I think that's what is scaring me.. I must be weird cause I want to be fucked like this... And GOD do I want it... Danny came over and kneeled in front of me.. " Lily no one will hurt you... we wont go further than you allow us too. Just say Stop and it will stop.. " I look in his eyes and knows he means it... I nod yes... He takes me by the hand and walks me back out to the table... By now everyone had the bong going and beers being past around.. Jimmy brought cokes knowing I dont like beer... Danny and I joined right in... I lost count after the bowl was filled for the 7th time.. We were all laughing and joking... I was still sitting in the Chair when Jimmy started massaging my shoulders... His hands were big and strong, they felt really good... Dave was sitting next to me and he started to rub my right thigh... Jimmy decided my shirt was in his way so he pulled it off leaving only my bra... Everyone went quiet and just watched... Jimmys hands left my shoulders sliding down the front to my tits.. He slide his fingers into my bra cups and pinched both nipples at the same time... Dave has rubbed up my thigh to my inner thighs... Pushing my shorts and panties aside had his fingers all over my clit... I opened my eyes to see Danny, Billy, John and Joey all staring at me... Jimmy unhooked my bra throwing it across the room exposing my tits completely to all 6 guys.. " Lay her on the table " I hear Danny say... Jimmy and Dave Pick me up and lay me flat on the table.. Dave pulled my shorts and panties off in 1 swift motion... I closed my eyes and layed there docile.. Let them do whatever they want... I can hear clothes being removed... I dont know by who... I just kept my eyes closed..I felt a cock at my lips and I just opened to let it enter... I knew it was Dave.. I turned my upper body slightly to suck him better... I Love Daves cock in my mouth... Its a perfect fit... I dont like Jimmy as much in my mouth but love him in my pussy... And Dannys cock was just made for my ass... But these 3 new guys, I have no idea what their cocks are like... I felts someones lips on my pussy.. I hear Danny say " touch her" as he grabs my nipple.. I instantly moan with Dave dick in my throat.." see she likes it... " I felt more fingers on my other nipple... this time it was soft and gentle... "Harder" Danny says... the fingers pinch a little harder.. Danny says in a low tone. " She likes its it Very hard" The fingers pinched so hard and Dave shoved his cock all the way down my throat.. I scream with Pleasure, pain and orgasm.. all at once... My pussy this whole time has been getting licked up and down, teasing... I opened my eyes to see Billy standing over me pinching my nipple and Danny on the other side of him.. Joey has been the one between my legs... He definitely knows what he is doing... I didn't want him to stop... He got up on the table lifted up my ass and slammed his cock right into my pussy... I screammed again from the pleasure and pain... Danny walked over and bent down... He whispered into my ear.. " Remember you can always say stop.. We wont stop till you say so.." He then leaned in much closer.. His lips were touching my lobes.. " We are going to fuck every hole you have all night long. we wont stop.. we are going to have our way with you all weekend , whenever we want to..." There has to be something wrong with me because I am so turned on right now.. I cant wait to see what happens next... Dave pulls his cock out and I hear Danny say " John, stick your cock in"... I didn't even look up... I felt his cock at my lips and I opened up... Joey was still fucking my pussy hard... He's not as thick as Dave but he isn't bad...He fells nice in my pussy... Danny leans down to my ear again.. He continues on " Every one here is going to fuck your mouth , pussy and ass anytime we want too this weekend.." Johns cock feels about the same as Joeys.. With my free hand I felt around till I found billys cock... He was thick... Thick like Dave.. I started Jerking his cock... No reason for him not to get some pleasure... Danny whispers " Open your eyes Lily... Watch Joey put his cock in your ass.. " I didn't open them at first... I felt Joey take his cock out of my pussy and rub it up and down my ass... Doing this several times... Jimmy and Dave held my legs up and spread wide... Giving Joey easy access to my ass and giving me a perfect view to watch... John moved a little so I could still suck his cock and watch Joey at the same time... Joey guided his cock to my ass opening.. He pushed the head in slowly... I could see it disappear in... Joey took some of my wetness and rub it around his shaft before he started to push deeper... Danny puts his head next to mine... "you like watching that slide into you dont you Lily You want to see it go deeper dont you Dont you Lily" I did... I so very did... I moaned in approval... I watched Joey sink his entire cock right into my ass.... John pulled his cock out of my mouth when I heard billy say "take my cock" on the other side of me... I turned my head to look into his eyes... I let go with my hand and Billy moved over to where my mouth was... I was still able to see Joey fucking my ass , Jimmy and Dave holding my legs.. Billy wasted no time... He Pushed his cock all the way in... Filling my mouth and throat with his cock... I'm still watching Joey fuck my ass... He taking long deep strokes.. almost pulling completely out before plunging back in... Danny leans down over my pussy and flicks his tongue across my clit several times... O MY GOD it felt incredible and he knows it... He gets up and takes my leg from Jimmy... Then Jimmy leans over and gives my clit a few licks... teasing me even more... Then John reached over and put 2 fingers in my pussy... O yeah... Now that feels good.. I moan with Billy deep in my throat.. that in turn made him Moan... I look over at Danny as he begins to speak.. " Looks like Lily likes that... maybe she would like more fingers." He reaches down and places 2 fingers next to Johns and they push in together... It Felt fucking Incredible.. Mind blowing Incredible.. I closed my eyes again... I was having too many sensations going through me to keep my eyes open... Joey pulled all the way out of my ass... I was waiting for him to slam back but all I felt were fingers fucking my pussy... Danny and Dave lowered my legs back down to the table... John and Danny pulled their fingers out of my pussy... That's when Danny climbed on top of me and pushed his cock into my pussy... I knew it was Danny cause I know how his cock feels inside of me.. He started fucking me HARD.. So hard that he was pushing my body with each thrust.. I couldn't keep Billys cock in my mouth... Now its just Danny and I... Everyone else was watching him Slam me... It didn't take him but only a few minutes but when he Came, it was like a volcano erupting... When he was done, he got off me and John took his place... He too Fucked my pussy hard.. I dont know why I love being fucked like this or why I like it that I'm being used.. I just do.. It turns me on intensely... Everyone knew when John came.. Even the animals in the surrounding woods knew.. When he was done and got off me, Joey took his spot... Joey fucked me just like Danny and John.. Hard.. Slamming... abusing my pussy... Joey came rather quick but I felt his cum.. It was really hot... I could feel it hitting inside me... Joey got up and Dave took his spot... Dave started out slower... He lowered his entire body on top of mine... We were so close we were one... Our bodies were moving together... He began to move faster and faster... Driving me crazy... He knew what he was doing... He kept hitting the right spot bringing me closer and closer.. As soon as I started cumming that's when he slammed my pussy.. He just kept slamming me... which somehow made my orgasm last longer... Dave drained himself deep inside me... He got up and Billy took his place... Billys cock slid right in... He lifted my ass off the table and then really gave it too me... He was fucking so hard and so deep I could feel it in my belly... Billy did not show my pussy any mercy... His balls were slapping my ass so hard I might get a black and blue from it.. And yet I love it.. Billy pounded me for a long time.. I dont know how he didn't come sooner.. I cam three more times before he slammed his cock so deep and Came... He held his cock there but kept pushing at the same time... This trigger me into another incredible orgasm... Billy nearly fell off the table when he pulled out.. I expected Jimmy to jump right in but he didn't... Instead he walked over to where my head lay on the table.. He leaned over me and said "You ready for me" I dont know what came over me but I looked Jimmy straight in the eye and said " FUCK ME".. He was up on the table between my legs before I could blink... "Danny , John... Hold her legs open and wide... bring her ass down the edge of the table.." Danny and John scooted my ass all the way to the edge where Jimmy and his cock were waiting... They each took and leg and held it high in the air, as far apart as they can... "Joey get behind her and push her up so she can watch me FUCK her." Joey got behind me and sat me up, letting me lean against him for support.. And I have a very good view of my pussy and Jimmys cock... I watched as his head disappears into my pussy but he stops.. Jimmy grabs my face to his.. "You want more".. I shake my head yes... " No, tell me you want it." " I want it".. "How much" "a lot " And that's when he slammed his thick hard cock all the way in.. Never stopping.. I watched his cock slam in and out of my pussy.. over and over and over... I feel it coming.. its coming from way deep... Getting stronger and stronger.. As soon as Jimmy blows up inside of me, I hit the wall and exploded through it...It feels like light exploding out of me... The room started spinning... I grabbed someones arm to keep from falling over... Jimmy pulled out of me and no one replaced him.. Danny and John lowered my legs down and Dave brought me over a blanket... Joey helped him put it around me... Danny helped me into one of the bedrooms... "Can I get you anything Lily" "something to drink would be really nice" I said.. He left the room and I'm standing there next to the bed... I must have a gallon of cum inside me... its all dripping down my legs... I really need a shower... No way I can do that right now... I need to rest a little bit first... Danny comes back in with a coke... "Danny do you have any towels" "Yeah in the bathroom closet... I'll get you one".. He was back in seconds... I layed it out longways and layed on top of it... Danny covered me with the blanket again... "You rest..." he says as he leaves the room... its still light outside, but the sun is in the west.. gonna set soon... I open my eyes and its dark in the room... I go to move and my legs are glued to each other..I had to practically rip them apart...I got up and wrapped the blanket around me making my way to the door.. I didn't hear anything out there... I opened the door and the room was empty.. There was a light on in the kitchen but that was it... I went to the front door and opened it, but there was no one out there either... I went into the bathroom and flicked the switch on.. I was thrilled to see a big claw foot tub.. I turned the water and it came out kinda brownish at first, but then cleared up.. 5 minutes later it was even hot water... while the tub was filing I went back to the room and got my bag... The hot water feel great against my skin... Especially my pussy... I now can say I have been truly Fucked.. There has to be something wrong with me. If someone else told me they liked being fucked and being used like this, I would think they were nuts. Yet I Love it.. I love how my pussy feels sore... I dont know why.. I felt wonderful after my bath... I put on my yellow tank top, no bra and my yellow shorts no panties... my feet were cold so I put on a pair of booties with the blue ball on the back... I heard them all come into the house... I check myself in the mirror... My hair looks a horror... I brush out the knots.. I love my hair down but it gets knotty and in my face during sex.. I pull it all back into a ponytail.. I apply a little blush to my cheeks but that's it.. Now with my hair like this I look like a little kid... Oh well, nothing I can do about it.. I open the bathroom and see all 6 of them in the kitchen... Joey notices me first " hey Lily, nice to see you... You hungry" I walk into the kitchen with them all watching me... " Yeah I'm hungry now that I think about it".. Jimmy piped in and said " well we have dinner right here " and he stepped to the side... On the counter were 4 of the ugliest fish that I ever saw..I made a face and said " You dont expect me to eat that now do you".. "Its good" Jimmy says... Again I make a face... "what else is there cause I'm definitely not eating that." "we have hot dogs, some fruit and junk food.." "I'll 2 hot dogs"... Jimmy got 2 hot dogs out for me.. Thank God.. cause I would have starved before I ate those icky looking fish... I told all of them they had to brush their teeth after eating the icky looking fish... After dinner we all sat around and talked... And passed the bong around... I sat next to Dave... When I started getting cold I got closer to him... He was warm... "O yeah Lily, before you go to bed for the night you have to pick which one of us gets to sleep next to you.." Dave said.. " I have to pick right now" "No when you go is fine..." Ok.. We had my bong and a couple of joints going around the circle of us... I was flying... I'm laying up against Dave when Billy gets up and begins to pull down my shorts... As soon as he does this my pussy get instantly wet.. He opens my legs and begins to lick my pussy... I moan instantly... My pussy is still sore but its a good sore.. I cant explain it... He sucks on my inner pussy lips which are already puffy and swollen from my earlier fucking...Dave is rubbing my nipples through my shirt... Dave whispers into my ear" We all agreed to take turns at you so you'll last all night..." I glanced over to the wall clock.. It said 10:20.. Its going to be a long pleasurably night.. True to word.. Each one of them took turns eating my pussy.. Each one bringing me to orgasm at least twice before stopping... At 1 point I remember begging someone to stick a finger in my pussy but no one did... I was going insane... Danny takes me by the hand and walks me around to the back of the couch.. He pulls off my top and he bends me over the back so that my face is lying against the cushions... Danny slides right into my pussy... He wasn't pounding.. Just a nice rhythm.. I was soaking wet from cumming so much... there was no friction at all... Even tho I loved the position it was hurting my stomach... "Danny this hurts my stomach." He stopped instantly... He picked my legs up and layed me on the couch... They pushed all the furniture out of the way and spread a blanket in the middle of the floor... I got up and walked over to the blanket and just stood there... Danny came next to me and pulled the ponytail out of my hair, then wound his finger threw it...He pulled me close to him and whispers in my ear so that only I can hear him "remember when you told me you liked being willingly rapped..Now you will know what rape is." My body shuddered.. Not with fear but excitement.. He kisses my lips and then he pushed me down onto my knees and made me take his cock in my mouth.. He pushed his cock all the way in without stopping... He held my head tight while he fucked my mouth... I felt something soft but sturdy on my wrists.. I looked to my left the best I could and I see Joey wrap what looks like a thin leather strap around my wrist.. I could feel my right wrist having the same thing done... Then I felt it around both ankles all while Danny is fucking my mouth... He never stopped.. He held my head so tightly... Finally he pulled me by my hair off his cock... He stood me up and walked me over to where 2 wood stumps in the middle of the room... "Stand up on them, Jimmy take this strap and tie it off on the beam.. Joey you do the same with this strap.." I stood up on the stumps... Jimmy and Joey pulled me in opposite directions..I was completely stretched out.. Then Danny moved the stumps further apart, till my legs were wide open.. Jimmy and Joey tied my legs off to the side to what I dont know... Once I was completely tied up and spread wide open all 6 of them stood back and just looked at me... I didn't know what to do... "Wait" Danny said and he went to the kitchen... He got something but I couldn't see what it is... He has it behind his back... He keeps it out of my sight and walks behind me... I feel his fingers at my pussy lips, opening them... I feel something very cold and hard being pushed into my pussy...I jump from the shock of it... I almost Yelp... Whatever it is, he begins to fuck me fast with it...Its so cold... I can lean slightly forward but that's it... I am very secured with the straps... Danny pushes it all the way into me and walks around to the front of me... He takes my left nipple into his mouth and sucks on it... he switches off to the other one... Going back and forth while this cold thing stays pushed into my pussy... He comes up to my ear and whispers, "want to know what this is" as he pushes it deeper... I moan yesssssss... He pulled it all the way out and brought it up to my face... it was a 16 oz bottle of beer... With the position I'm in and my legs being so far apart I am perfect height for Danny to fuck me... " O Wow Your Pussy is cold..." he said as he entered me... John came over and started sucking on my nipple... He was sucking really hard... When he pulled his mouth away my nipple was HUGE... Just then he put a clothes pin on it... I screamed in pleasure... he then sucked my other nipple.. Sucking even harder this time... He put a clothespin on that nipple too.. Again I scream with pleasure... " I saw this movie where they used clothespins all over the girl.. I've wanted to do it since.. And now I will"... John said... Danny reached around and touched my nipples causing pain , and pleasure... I moan.. I cant help it.. I know I'm being loud.. I dont care.. They can do what they want to me, use me in any way they want too.. I opened my eyes again to watch John go on his knees in front of my pussy... Danny had slowed down and was taking it nice and slow... John pushed my pussy lips out of the way and pulled my clit really hard.... " Oooo GOD... Oooooo yesss" it came out of my mouth...He held it there like that... Then I could feel something next to my pussy... I could feel something going behind my clit but coming from the side... Then he released my clit and I screamed... There was a clothespin on my clit... John then licked my exposed clit... I came instant... I never felt anything like it... Danny fucked me slow while Johns tongue tapped at my clit... sending bolts of lighting through me... it was too much.. I couldn't handle it.. "No, take it off.. too much".. John removed it right away but he didn't stop licking my clit... When he released it I orgasmed again... I had to keep my eys closed my head was spinning... Danny pulled out and brought his cock to my ass... " this is what I want" he says as he pushes his cock right in... I scream out in pain and pleasure again... John stood up and said " Heres a cock for your pussy and Pushed his way right in"... Danny and John got together.. In together, out together... It was insane.. Neither of them being gentle... Giving both my ass and pussy a hard , forceful fucking... And I was loving it.... Johns chest was rubbing up against my clothespinned nipples.. It hurt and felt good all at the same time.. John pulled out when Danny started fucking my ass faster... Danny held my hips and plowed into me.. He filled my ass with hot liquid.. screaming himself... Danny pulled out and came around to infront of me... He kissed my lips gently and said " remember all you have to say is stop.." John got behind me and put his cock right back into my pussy... I watched Danny walk into the bathroom and close the door... John slid his cock out of my pussy and pushed right into my ass... I love how it feels with a cock in it.. Joey came over and kissed me before he pushed his cock into my pussy... Again they took turns at me... I always had 1 in the ass and 1 in the pussy... By the time I got down to the last 2 guy Billy and Jimmy, my arms and legs were hurting bad... burning evening.. I finally looked over at the wall clock and it was almost 3 am.. I looked at Jimmy and said " Please take me down.. "Jimmy stopped and told Billy to stop... " She needs to be let down.." Jimmy untied one wrist while Billy did the other... I nearly fell over once my arms were free... Jimmy held me up while Billy untied each ankle... I couldn't stand up on my own... Jimmy had to support me... We sat on the blanket on the floor... Jimmy layed back and pulled me on top of him.. His cock having no problem finding my pussy... Billy got in right behind me putting his cock right back in my ass... My pussy and ass hurt.. but I like the hurt... In this position Billy was really able to give it to me... Jimmy held is fat cock deep in my pussy while Billy Fucked my ass like a crazy man... When he came I felt it hitting the walls... Billy pulled out and backed up... I was still on top of Jimmy with him deep in my pussy... Jimmy wrapped his big arms around me... He began kissing on my neck and sucking on my lobes.. When he quietly said " I'm going to get behind and fuck your ass.. You want me to fuck your ass.. You know how bad you want it.. Tell me" he says as he spreads my ass cheeks apart with his big hands.. "Tell me Lily".. "Yes" was all I could manage to say... He rolled me off him and had to me get on my hands and knees... Jimmy didn't just push in.. He was much thicker than the others.. He inched his way in... I dont know how far in he was but I felt like I was going to split open.. " You know you want it, Take it.. Push back and take my cock".. He said in a really sexy husky voice... I knew I shouldn't, but I did it anyway.. I pushed back, not gently either... Now I just wanted all of Jimmy in my ass no matter what it took... We both screamed together.. It was the most incredible pleasure and pain all together... Jimmy wasn't as rough as the others were.. That would rip me apart and I think he knew that... He just went in and out at a nice even pace.. Jimmy reached around and fingered my clit.. I knew Jimmy was getting close, he picked up the pace just a little... I could feel my own coming again... When he let loose, mine followed... My hands and knees couldn't hold me anymore... I fell, with Jimmy coming with me...We both layed there breathing hard, hearts beating fast and completely spent... Jimmy finally pulled out and off of me... I could feel my ass closing up as he left... I couldn't move... I just layed there on my stomach... Dave came over and knelt down, pushing my hair out of my face... " You do ok" I nod my head yes... Dave rolled me over and said " Do you want to go to the bed or to the tub" "tub" was all I said... Dave carried me into the bathroom where Danny already was waiting with a tub of warm water... Dave lowered me in and set me down... The water again felt wonderful... They left me alone so I could soak a while... 20 to 30 minutes later Danny came back in to check on me... By then I had let the water out and was washing my hair real quick... He handed me a towel for my hair, so while I was doing that he dried off the rest of my body... While I was brushing my hair I asked where everyone was.. " Well Jimmy fell asleep on the floor so we covered him with a blanket.. John and Billy crashed on the couches and Joey just went into the other bedroom to crash... Dave is at the table... So tell me Lily who gets to sleep next to you" I turned around and said " I would Like to sleep between Dave and you".. Danny smiles as he says " I think that can be arranged..." I didn't even bother to put clothes on.. What was the point... its not like they haven't seen me naked before.. Danny left the bathroom first, I followed and went straight into the bedroom... I layed down in the very middle of the bed... Danny and Dave came in the room shutting the door behind them... They both took off all their clothes and got into bed on each side of me... Dave pulled the blanket to cover us with... Laying flat on my back I slid my hands under the blanket and found a cock for each hand... I slowly started to stroke them... I turned my head towards Dave and he kissed me really nice... I then turned my head to Danny and he too kissed me... Now they are both nice and hard... I then say " I want to fall asleep with You(turn my head to Dave) in my pussy and You (turn my head to Danny) in my ass..." Both Dave and Danny reached between my legs and found I was quite wet... I rolled over onto my side facing Dave... Danny slpped his cock into my pussy from behind to get his it nice and wet... After having Jimmy in my ass I knew Danny would slide in easily... And he did.. Then Dave maneuvered his cock and pushed his way in... The 3 of us just moved as one... No one was pounding or slamming.. Just really soft sensuous sex... Danny was kissing and nibbling my neck while Dave was kissing me... That was the last thing I remember... When I awoke the room was flooded with light... I was still in the middle but both Danny and Dave were out cold... I got out of bed and opened the door... they were all still sleeping... I rummaged through my pocket book till I found my watch... it was 9:12 am.. I put on a pair of shorts, teeshirt, socks and sneakers... Since I'm supposed to be camping I should at least see what the woods look like... I got out the front door and follow a dirt path around the cabin to the back... I followed the path into the trees.. I walked for maybe 5 to 10 minutes when the trees stopped and the water began... There were a couple of row boats pulled up on dry land.. So that's how they went fishing yesterday... I sat down on a rock and looked out over the water... It was so calm and quiet... Eventually I made my way back to the cabin.. Jimmy and Joey were in the kitchen.. The coffee was already brewing and it smelled good... "What do we want for breakfast" Jimmy said.. Joey came up behind me grinding his cock into my ass " I know WHO I want for breakfast" he said... Joey took my hand and said to Jimmy "We'll be back in a little while".. He grabbed the blanket on the floor before we walked out the front door... We went back behind the cabin but took a different path then I did before... This path wasn't as open.. I had to climb over fallen trees... We came out in a clearing that has an awesome view of the lake... Joey lays the blanket out and says " come here"... I walk right up and stand directly in front of him... He reaches down and pulls my teeshirt off.. Doing the same with his... he unbuttons his short and the drop to the ground.. Mine dont do that.. He pulled my short down to my knees and then had me lay down... He pulled my short off the rest of the way... The open air and sun feel good on my skin... Joey opens my legs " WoW your pussy is puffy today"... "Its not that its puffy, its swollen from last night.." " I'll be gentle, I promise..." And he was... He gently licked my clit and swollen pussy lips.. inner and outer.. He was even very gentle licking around my pussy hold.. He would dart his tongue in and out but nothing else... Joey brought me to orgasm twice before he stopped... He came up and layed down next to me.. " I wont put my cock in your pussy, you're swollen" before he could even finish I stopped him.. " You can, I'll be swollen whether you put it in me or not... " I stayed on my back, Joey got between my legs and put his cock at the opening of my pussy hole... " You sure"... I nodded my head yes... He gently push the head in... O MY GOD.. How do I explain this.. I'm Raw.. Really Raw.. My pussy is stinging and burning.. And I love it.. Its the whole pain is pleasurably thing.. There was no slamming into me.. He rested his whole weight on me and fucked me slowly... We made out while we fucked out in the middle of this clearing.. When Joey came, it was alot... But I didn't mind cause it felt good in my raw pussy... We saw John coming out of the trees walking towards us... "Before he gets here I wanted to tell you You're a cool girl and thank you for the best time of my life..." He gave me a quick kiss and got up... Joey had his shorts on by the time John reached us... Joey picked up his shirt , then slapped John on the shoulder.. "she's all yours man".. John sat down next to me on the blanket... I haven't changed position.. I'm still flat on my back... He doesn't say anything just stares at me... I finally roll over and push my hand up his shorts, grabbing hold of his cock... John rises up and pushes his shorts off... I lay flat on my tummy between his legs and suck gently on his balls... He is moaning really loud.. I'd say he likes it... I give his balls a good bath and then I work my way up to his cock...Taking him all in... Again he moans very loud... I tilt my head slightly and I begin to watch him, watch me... I take his cock out of my mouth " Do you like watching me suck your cock" He nods his head yes... " Good.. then tell me... tell me what you want me to do.. Tell me how to take it.." " O yeah, take my cock.. take it down your throat and moan... let me feel you moan on my cock.. yeah like that.. mmm God just like that.. Lick it like a lollipop.. Up and down the shaft.. O yeah here it cums.." As soon as my mouth was off him he shot straight into the air a good 10 ft... I felt something on my ass only to turn and see Billy rubbing it... John got up, put his shorts on and left... Billy lays on top of my back, pinning me down... "So you like being rapped huh.. I'll rape you... " He grabs both my hands and bring them behind my back... I felt cold metal and then I heard the clicks.. My hands were handcuffed behind my back... "I'm going to rap you, but I'm doing it with this.." and he pulls a wine bottle out.. "Billy you cant" was all he permitted me to say... "Shhhhh Shhhhh, you know you want it..."He says as he shoves a big wad of fabric into my mouth... I begin to cry.. I dont know why.. I'm scared but he's right I do want it... He raises my ass up into the air... My face is still on the blanket... I can feel the base of the wine bottle at the opening of my pussy... He rubbed the bottle up and down my pussy getting it wet.. " See look how wet you are... You know you want this big bottle in your pussy.. You know you want it bad..." My lips were so swollen they kept getting in the way... Once he got my lips out of the way he had to really push to get it past my pelvic bone.. It was a beautiful Intensive pain... With his free hand his fingers played with my clit... Which was also quite swollen... It did not take long for me to explode... That's when he pulled the bottle and shoved his own cock in... Fucking me Ferociously.. After a couple of minutes , he too erupted... He pulled out of me and removed the handcuffs... I immediately pulled the fabric from my mouth... " Dont you ever do that to me with no one else around.." is all I said.. As sore and swollen and in pain as I was, I put my clothes on and walked back towards the cabin.. I didn't even help him get the blanket.. Climbing over the fallen trees this time was a lot harder... I walked into the cabin and went straight to the bathroom..Danny knocked on the door and asked if everything was ok.. I said yeah... My pussy is really burning now.. I have to sit in a tub of water.. The water will sooth it... I sat in warm water for 20 minutes... I was feeling much better... Thankfully my bag was still in the bathroom.. I put on a concert t shirt from Def Leppard and my big gym shorts that are black.. I couldn't put panties on, my pussy was too swollen for that... Jimmy watched the way I walked to the table.. " Oh shit, what are we going to tell Mom and Aunt Mary why Lily is walking like that." I smiled and said " we could just tell them the truth".. They all got silent... They looked like Deer caught in Headlights.. " I'm just joking, Calm down.. I plan to tell them that when I need to use the bathroom I missed stepped , my legs went opposite ways and I came crashing down on to a fallen tree..." Jimmy smiled and said " that's good.." Jimmy made me bacon and eggs.. I devoured them... I was hungry from all this sex... I could have eaten a cow... The guys cleaned up the cabin while I sat and watched them clean... John and Joey both gave me a nice hug and kiss.. Each one told me they would like to see me again.. I told them I would let them know... Billy knew I was pist with him... He said thank you to me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek... They all left before we did... Jimmy wanted to make sure everything was put back exactly.. Danny kept telling him not to worry about it cause their parents dont come up here often... On the ride home I told them what Billy did... " I'm ok but I dont want to be left alone with him is all"... When we pulled up home Aunt Mary was sitting in the front yard with the Winstons... I got out of the car as best as I could... As soon as I started walking Aunt Mary immediately said "what Happened Lily" I laughed trying to put on a brave face... " I missed stepped.. This leg went this way, this leg went that way and I came crashing straight down on to a fallen tree.. I'm ok.. Just a little bruised and sore..." Mr Winston asked " Besides your fall , what did you think of camping" " I actually enjoyed myself.. I forgot where we were but I liked it.. I would love to do it again if I can.. " Mrs Winston laughs and says " See I told you , that you would like it.. I'm sure the boys would take you any time you wanted too go.. right boys" They said yes ma'am together... I said my thank yous and goodnight.. " I want to soak in a hot tub for a while.. Dave carried my bag for me... He gave me a nice hug and kiss before he left... Me I headed straight for my bathroom... While the tub was filling I put my hair up in a bun.. I then added some vanilla oil to my bath water... I lifted my leg gently and then the other one, just as gently.. The moment the hot water touched my pussy the stinging intensified for a few seconds before it started to sooth it... I layed there a long time in the bath.. I thought about this whole weekend.. In the last 7 days I've fucked 6 different guys.. I think this classifies me as a Slut.. I could never act this way at home... I've fucked a few guys before this... Been with a few girls too, but this was something so out there.. Well this summer I'll be that slut.. I'll take whatever comes my way...
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Answers about CDs and Certificates of Deposit
I cashed my Time Certificate of Deposit (CD) before it matured, and the bank charged me an early withdrawal penalty. Can it do this?
Yes. Time Certificates of Deposits (CD) are not liquid: When you buy one, you enter into a contract involving a fixed amount of money (principal) for a predetermined period of time (the term) and an agreed-upon interest rate and yield.
Banks are permitted to assess an early withdrawal penalty whenever funds from a time deposit are withdrawn prior to the date of maturity. This penalty should be explained in the Account Agreement you received when you opened your account.


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A Vision for STEM Education: Exploring Connecting Transforming
ASSET STEM Education, Norwin School District, Pittsburgh Technology Council and Philadelphia Education Fund
Monday, February 18, 2013 from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM (EST)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
Join ASSET STEM Education and Norwin School District for a day of workshops, keynote speakers and networking.
Identify where your school is on the STEM continuum. Discover resources and best practices to help your school become a model for STEM education. Network with education, business, industry and government leaders from across the state.
Connect with businesses/corporations through ASSET's new STEM Career Network and facilitate real-world STEM experiences for your educators and students.
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Registration/Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45 a.m. Opening Remarks and Welcome
Dr. William H. Kerr, Superintendent of Schools, Norwin School District
Cynthia Pulkowski, Executive Director, ASSET STEM Education
8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker
David Burns, Director of STEM Innovation Networks, Battelle
9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Break
9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Breakout Session No. 1
10:50 - 11:50 a.m. Breakout Session No. 2
11:50 - 12:50 p.m. Lunch provided by Carolina Biological Supply Company
12:50 - 1:20 p.m. Keynote Speaker
Dewayne Rideout, Vice President of Human Resources,
All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
1:25 - 2:25 p.m. Breakout Session No. 3
2:25 - 3:00 p.m. Networking/ACT 48 Paperwork Submission
Breakout Session descriptions. You must select one breakout per session to register.
What are my transport/parking/lodging options getting to the event?
Parking is located at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center at a cost of $10.
Additional parking information and directions.
Conference attendees can enjoy discounted rates at the nearby Marriott Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown hotel.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email email@example.com or call 412-481-7320.
Can I update my registration information?
Yes - to update or cancel your registration log in to your Eventbrite account to view your current orders, or contact email@example.com.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
When & Where
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard
Monday, February 18, 2013 from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM (EST)
Add to my calendar
ASSET STEM Education, Norwin School District, Pittsburgh Technology Council and Philadelphia Education Fund
About ASSET STEM Education
ASSET STEM Education is a national Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education improvement nonprofit established by Bayer Corporation and several community partners in 1994. It fosters STEM fluency and college/career readiness by providing educators with highly effective professional development, hands-on educational materials and consulting services — impacting students pre-K through career. All of its programs are results oriented, research and inquiry based and align with national and state standards. ASSET's programs influence the lives of more than 7,000 teachers and 225,000 students across the nation.
ASSET represents Pennsylvania as part of Battelle's STEMx national network, a multi-state network with an imperative for action on STEM. STEMx is comprised of 19 member state networks, more than a third of the nation's states, and currently impacts more than 8 million students nationwide. Additionally, ASSET's Elementary Program met the rigorous criteria for inclusion in the Change the Equation STEMworks Database, a national database of evidence-based STEM programs. In 2010, ASSET was selected as one of the first-round recipients of a U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation Grant to validate its model in rural and high-needs schools. www.assetinc.org.
About Norwin School District
The Norwin School District educates approximately 5,200 students in grades K-12 who live in North Huntingdon Township, Irwin Borough and North Irwin Borough in western Westmoreland County. Norwin School District's mission is to prepare students to become productive and responsible citizens in an ever-changing global society through quality educational experiences. In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the District fourteenth among western Pennsylvania's 105 school districts and third in Westmoreland County for student academic performance. In 2015, the School District anticipates beginning construction on a new facility called the Norwin STEM Innovation Center for Teaching and Learning, a place where High School students will be able to select a STEM career pathway and work hand-in-hand with Norwin teachers and mentors from business and industry on authentic projects in an environment that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, and cross-curricular work. The District's successes are the direct result of quality students, families and a most supportive community, as well as an exemplary teaching staff that has a strong commitment to their work and to their students. The District strives to continue this culture of excellence in education, with all stakeholders working together to move Norwin forward "from great…to EXTRAORDINARY." www.norwinsd.org
About Pittsburgh Technology Council
Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Technology Council has been the principal point of connection for companies from four primary clusters of the technology industry that are represented by a critical mass of businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania including, the Advanced Manufacturing / Materials, Green Technology, Information Technology and Life Sciences sectors. In addition to supporting the technology community the Council is intimately involved with helping the education community connect with the technology community via our annual Pittsburgh STEM Summit and the Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference. For more details please visit, http://www.pghtech.org
About Philadelphia Math + Science Coaltion (Philadelphia Education Fund)
The mission of the Coalition is to foster a collaborative STEM stakeholder community to coordinate resources that support preparation of Philadelphia public school students to become productive citizens in a 21st century STEM economy. www.philaedfund.org


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Skip to Content
(603) 225-2711
Home > Wellness > Health Library > Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Machine
Browse and register for related classes.
Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise,
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses
a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and
structures that are inside the body. During the MRI test (also called an MRI
scan), you usually lie on your back on a table that is part of the MRI scanner.
Your head, chest, and arms may be held with straps to help you stay still. The
table will then slide into the round opening of the magnet.
the scanner you will hear a fan and feel air moving. You may also hear tapping
or snapping noises as the MRI scans are done. It is very important to stay
completely still while the scan is being done.
People who get
nervous in small places (are claustrophobic) may need medicine to help them
relax while having an MRI scan.
ByHealthwise StaffPrimary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency MedicineAdam Husney, MD - Family MedicineSpecialist Medical ReviewerHoward Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology
Current as ofFebruary 19, 2016
Current as of:
February 19, 2016
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Howard Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
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Cherry Valley Country Club
Main Number: 609.466.4244
Set up a tour for a closer look at Club tennis.Set Up a Tour
Membership Questions?
Karen St. Angelo
Membership Director
609.466.4244 x:120
Skillman Tennis at its Best
Cherry Valley Country Club's tennis facilities are among the finest in the area. The Club features an extensive tennis program for players of all ages and levels. With lighted har-tru tennis courts, there's always a game to be had, and lessons are available from our expert tennis staff. Tennis Under the Stars, drills, round robins and tennis camps are regular events, and if you play your best tennis as a spectator, the stadium court hosts a variety of competitive matches for your viewing pleasure.
Contact us today to find out more about Cherry Valley Tennis Facilities and Programs.


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Kappa Kappa Psi : National Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Chi chapter
Chapter Identity
The Zeta Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to excellence in organized service and providing enthusiasm and leadership in all facets of the band program. We are dedicated to providing our members with valuable and unique leadership and social experiences that will enhance their college career and encourage life-long appreciation for band and music. We, the brothers of Zeta Chi, believe that it is an honor and privilege to serve the band program, the School of Music and the Carolina Community.Prepared in Spring 2009 by Evan L. Thompson, President
Revised January 4, 2010


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ICSC RECon Archives
ICSC RECon 2014: Retail poised for expansion
June 2, 2014 by in AZRE Magazine | Brokerage | Events | Featured | Industry Insiders
The 2014 ICSC event in Las Vegas has successfully wrapped up, and initial reports are that the retail industry is poised for continued expansion. The attendance was up from last year with the attendee count reaching close to 40,000. Having experienced the last 5 years of our annual convention during the economic downturn, this year… Read More →
ICSC RECon 2014 shares what's in store
May 22, 2014 by in AZRE Magazine | Brokerage | Industry Insiders
ICSC RECon 2014 lived up to the hype of being a busy convention packed with retailers and developers looking for their next deals. More than 35,000 professionals gathered in Las Vegas to attend the show and the many cocktail parties that brokerage firms and owners host across the Strip. Common trends continued to be smaller… Read More →


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As the Second Millennium draws to a close, the Christian mission in world history faces a moment of daunting opportunity and responsibility. If in the merciful and mysterious ways of God the Second Coming is delayed, we enter upon a Third Millennium that could be, in the words of John Paul II, "a springtime of world missions." (Redemptoris Missio)
As Christ is one, so the Christian mission is one. That one mission can be and should be advanced in diverse ways. Legitimate diversity, however, should not be confused with existing divisions between Christians that obscure the one Christ and hinder the one mission. There is a necessary connection between the visible unity of Christians and the mission of the one Christ. We together pray for the fulfillment of the prayer of Our Lord: "May they all be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, so also may they be in us, that the one, may believe that you sent me." (John 17) We together, Evangelicals and Catholics, confess our sins against the unity that Christ intends for all his disciples.
The one Christ and one mission includes many other Christians, notably the Eastern Orthodox and those Protestants not commonly identified as Evangelical. All Christians are encompassed in the prayer, "May they all be one." Our present statement attends to the specific problems and opportunities in the relationship between Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants.
As we near the Third Millennium, there are approximately 1.7 billion Christians in the world. About a billion of these are Catholics and more than 300 million are Evangelical Protestants. The century now drawing to a close has been the greatest century of missionary expansion in Christian history. We pray and we believe that this expansion has prepared the way for yet greater missionary endeavor in the first century of the Third Millennium.
The two communities in world Christianity that are most evangelistically assertive and most rapidly growing are Evangelicals and Catholics. In many parts of the world, the relationship between these communities is marked more by conflict than by cooperation, more by animosity than by love, more by suspicion than by trust, more by propaganda and ignorance than by respect for the truth. This is alarmingly the case in Latin America, increasingly the case in Eastern Europe, and too often the case in our own country.
Without ignoring conflicts between and within other Christian communities, we address ourselves to the relationship between Evangelicals and Catholics who constitute the growing edge of missionary expansion at present and, most likely, in the century ahead. In doing so, we hope that what we have discovered and resolved may be of help in other situations of conflict, such as that among Orthodox, Evangelicals, and Catholics in Eastern Europe. While we are gratefully aware of ongoing efforts to address tensions among these communities, the shameful reality is that, in many places around the world, the scandal of conflict between Christians obscures the scandal of the cross, thus crippling the one mission of the one Christ.
As in times past, so also today and in the future, the Christian mission, which is directed to the entire human community, must be advanced against formidable opposition. In some cultures, that mission encounters resurgent spiritualities and religions that are explicitly hostile to the claims of the Christ. Islam, which in many instances denies the freedom to witness to the Gospel, must be of increasing concern to those who care about religious freedom and the Christian mission. Mutually respectful conversation between Muslims and Christians should be encouraged in the hope that more of the world will, in the oft repeated words of John Paul II, "open the door to Christ." At the same time, in our so-called developed societies, a widespread secularization increasingly descends into a moral, intellectual, and spiritual nihilism that denies not only the One who is the Truth but the very idea of truth itself.
We enter the twenty-first century without illusions. With Paul and the Christians of the first century, we know that "we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6) As Evangelicals and Catholics, we dare not by needless and loveless conflict between ourselves give aid and comfort to the enemies of the cause of Christ.
The love of Christ compels us and we are therefore resolved to avoid such conflict between our communities and, where such conflict exists, to do what we can to reduce and eliminate it. Beyond that, we are called and we are therefore resolved to explore patterns of working and witnessing together in order to advance the one mission of Christ. Our common resolve is not based merely on a desire for harmony. We reject any appearance of harmony that is purchased at the price of truth. Our common resolve is made imperative by obedience to the truth of God revealed in the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, and by trust in the promise of the Holy Spirit's guidance until Our Lord returns in glory to judge the living and the dead.
The mission that we embrace together is the necessary consequence of the faith that we affirm together.
We affirm together that we are justified by grace through faith because of Christ. Living faith is active in love that is nothing less than the love of Christ, for we together say with Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2)
All who accept Christ as Lord and Savior are brothers and sisters in Christ. Evangelicals and Catholics are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have not chosen one another, just as we have not chosen Christ. He has chosen us, and he has chosen us to be his together. (John 15) However imperfect our communion with one another, however deep our disagreements with one another, we recognize that there is but one church of Christ. There is one church because there is one Christ and the church is his body. However difficult the way, we recognize that we are called by God to a fuller realization of our unity in the body of Christ. The only unity to which we would give expression is unity in the truth, and the truth is this: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4)
We affirm together that Christians are to teach and live in obedience to the divinely inspired Scriptures, which are the infallible Word of God. We further affirm together that Christ has promised to his church the gift of the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth in discerning and declaring the teaching of Scripture. (John 16) We recognize together that the Holy Spirit has so guided his church in the past. In, for instance, the formation of the canon of the Scriptures, and in the orthodox response to the great Christological and Trinitarian controversies of the early centuries, we confidently acknowledge the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In faithful response to the Spirit's leading, the church formulated the Apostles Creed which we can and hereby do affirm together as an accurate statement of Scriptural truth:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
The church lives by and for the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28)
Unity and love among Christians is an integral part of our missionary witness to the Lord whom we serve. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13) If we do not love one another, we disobey his command and contradict the Gospel we declare.
As Evangelicals and Catholics, we pray that our unity in the love of Christ will become ever more evident as a sign to the world of God's reconciling power. Our communal and ecclesial separations are deep and long standing. We acknowledge that we do not know the schedule nor do we know the way to the greater visible unity for which we hope. We do know that existing patterns of distrustful polemic and conflict are not the way. We do know that God who has brought us into communion with himself through Christ intends that we also be in communion with one another. We do know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14) and as we are drawn closer to him -- walking in that way, obeying that truth, living that life -- we are drawn closer to one another.
Whatever may be the future form of the relationship between our communities, we can, we must, and we will begin now the work required to remedy what we know to be wrong in that relationship. Such work requires trust and understanding, and trust and understanding require an assiduous attention to truth. We do not deny but clearly assert that there are disagreements between us. Misunderstandings, misrepresentations, and caricatures of one another, however, are not disagreements. These distortions must be cleared away if we are to search through our honest differences in a manner consistent with what we affirm and hope together on the basis of God's Word.
We do not presume to suggest that we can resolve the deep and long standing differences between Evangelicals and Catholics. Indeed these differences may never be resolved short of the Kingdom Come. Nonetheless, we are not permitted simply to resign ourselves to differences that divide us from one another. Not all differences are authentic disagreements, nor need all disagreements divide. Differences and disagreements must be tested in disciplined and sustained conversation. In this connection we warmly commend and encourage the formal theological dialogues of recent years between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals.
We note some of the differences and disagreements that must be addressed more fully and candidly in order to strengthen between us a relationship of trust in obedience to truth. Among points of difference in doctrine, worship, practice, and piety that are frequently thought to divide us are these:
On these questions, and other questions implied by them, Evangelicals hold that the Catholic Church has gone beyond Scripture, adding teachings and practices that detract from or compromise the Gospel of God's saving grace in Christ. Catholics, in turn, hold that such teachings and practices are grounded in Scripture and belong to the fulness of God's revelation. Their rejection, Catholics say, results in a truncated and reduced understanding of the Christian reality.
Again, we cannot resolve these disputes here. We can and do affirm together that the entirety of Christian faith, life, and mission finds its source, center, and end in the crucified and risen Lord. We can and do pledge that we will continue to search together -- through study, discussion, and prayer -- for a better understanding of one another's convictions and a more adequate comprehension of the truth of God in Christ. We can testify now that in our searching together we have discovered what we can affirm together and what we can hope together and, therefore, how we can contend together.
The cause of Christ is the cause and mission of the church, which is, first of all, to proclaim the Good News that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5) To proclaim this Gospel and to sustain the community of faith, worship, and discipleship that is gathered by this Gospel is the first and chief responsibility of the church. All other tasks and responsibilities of the church are derived from and directed toward the mission of the Gospel.
Christians individually and the church corporately also have a responsibility for the right ordering of civil society. We embrace this task soberly; knowing the consequences of human sinfulness, we resist the utopian conceit that it is within our powers to build the Kingdom of God on earth. We embrace this task hopefully; knowing that God has called us to love our neighbor, we seek to secure for all a greater measure of civil righteousness and justice, confident that he will crown our efforts when he rightly orders all things in the coming of his Kingdom.
In the exercise of these public responsibilities there has been in recent years a growing convergence and cooperation between Evangelicals and Catholics. We thank God for the discovery of one another in contending for a common cause. Much more important, we thank God for the discovery of one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our cooperation as citizens is animated by our convergence as Christians. We promise one another that we will work to deepen, build upon, and expand this pattern of convergence and cooperation.
Together we contend for the truth that politics, law, and culture must be secured by morale truth. With the Founders of the American experiment, we declare, "We hold these truths." With them, we hold that this constitutional order is composed not just of rules and procedures but is most essentially a moral experiment. With them, we hold that only a virtuous people can be free and just, and that virtue is secured by religion. To propose that securing civil virtue is the purpose of religion is blasphemous. To deny that securing civil virtue is a benefit of religion is blindness.
Americans are drifting away from, are often explicitly defying, the constituting truths of this experiment in ordered liberty. Influential sectors of the culture are laid waste by relativism, anti-intellectualism, and nihilism that deny the very idea of truth. Against such influences in both the elite and popular culture, we appeal to reason and religion in contending for the foundational truths of our constitutional order.
More specifically, we contend together for religious freedom. We do so for the sake of religion, but also because religious freedom is the first freedom, the source and shield of all human freedoms. In their relationship to God, persons have a dignity and responsibility that transcends, and thereby limits, the authority of the state and of every other merely human institution.
Religious freedom is itself grounded in and is a product of religious faith, as is evident in the history of Baptists and others in this country. Today we rejoice together that the Roman Catholic Church -- as affirmed by the Second Vatican Council and boldly exemplified in the ministry of John Paul II -- is strongly committed to religious freedom and, consequently, to the defense of all human rights. Where Evangelicals and Catholics are in severe and sometimes violent conflict, such as parts of Latin America, we urge Christians to embrace and act upon the imperative of religious freedom. Religious freedom will not be respected by the state if it is not respected by Christians or, even worse, if Christians attempt to recruit the state in repressing religious freedom.
In this country, too, freedom of religion cannot be taken for granted but requires constant attention. We strongly affirm the separation of church and state, and just as strongly protest the distortion of that principle to mean the separation of religion from public life. We are deeply concerned by the courts' narrowing of the protections provided by the "free exercise" provision of the First Amendment and by an obsession with "no establishment" that stifles the necessary role of religion in American life. As a consequence of such distortions, it is increasingly the case that wherever government goes religion must retreat, and government increasingly goes almost everywhere. Religion, which was privileged and foundational in our legal order, has in recent years been penalized and made marginal. We contend together for a renewal of the constituting vision of the place of religion in the American experiment.
Religion and religiously grounded moral conviction is not an alien or threatening force in our public life. For the great majority of Americans, morality is derived, however variously and confusedly, from religion. The argument, increasingly voiced in sectors of our political culture, that religion should be excluded from the public square must be recognized as an assault upon the most elementary principles of democratic governance. That argument needs to be exposed and countered by leaders, religious and other, who care about the integrity of our constitutional order.
The pattern of convergence and cooperation between Evangelicals and Catholics is, in large part, a result of common effort to protect human life, especially the lives of the most vulnerable among us. With the Founders, we hold that all human beings are endowed by their Creator with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The statement that the unborn child is a human life that -- barring natural misfortune or lethal intervention -- will become what everyone recognizes as a human baby is not a religious assertion. It is a statement of simple biological fact. That the unborn child has a right to protection, including the protection of law, is a moral statement supported by moral reason and Biblical truth.
We, therefore, will persist in contending -- we will not be discouraged but will multiply every effort -- in order to secure the legal protection of the unborn. Our goals are: to secure due process of law for the unborn, to enact the most protective laws and public policies that are politically possible, and to reduce dramatically the incidence of abortion. We warmly commend those who have established thousands of crisis pregnancy and post-natal care centers across the country, and urge that such efforts be multiplied. As the unborn must be protected, so also must women be protected from their current rampant exploitation by the abortion industry and by fathers who refuse to accept responsibility for women and children. Abortion on-demand, which is the current rule in America, must be recognized as a massive attack on the dignity, rights, and needs of women.
Abortion is the leading edge of an encroaching culture of death. The helpless old, the radically handicapped, and others who cannot effectively assert their rights are increasingly treated as though they have no rights. These are the powerless who are exposed to the will and whim of those who have power over them. We will do all in our power to resist proposals for euthanasia, eugenics, and population control that exploit the vulnerable, corrupt the integrity of medicine, deprave our culture, and betray the moral truths of our constitutional order.
In public education, we contend together for schools that transmit to coming generations our cultural heritage, which is inseparable from the formative influence of religion, especially Judaism and Christianity. Education for responsible citizenship and social behavior is inescapably moral education. Every effort must be made to cultivate the morality of honesty, law observance, work, caring, chastity, mutual respect between sexes, and readiness for marriage, parenthood, and family. We reject the claim that, in any or all of these areas, "tolerance" requires the promotion of moral equivalence between the normative and the deviant. In a democratic society that recognizes that parents have the primary responsibility for the formation of their children, schools are to assist and support, not oppose and undermine, parents in the exercise of their responsibility.
We contend together for a comprehensive policy of parental choice in education. This is a moral question of simple justice. Parents are the primary educators of their children; the state and other institutions should be supportive of their exercise of that responsibility. We affirm policies that enable parents to effectively exercise their right and responsibility to choose the schooling that they consider best for their children.
We contend together against the widespread pornography in our society, along with the celebration of violence, sexual depravity, and anti-religious bigotry in the entertainment media. In resisting such cultural and moral debasement, we recognize the legitimacy of boycotts and other consumer actions, and urge the enforcement of existing laws against obscenity. We reject the self-serving claim of the peddlers of depravity that this constitutes illegitimate censorship. We reject the assertion of the unimaginative that artistic creativity is to be measured by the capacity to shock or outrage. A people incapable of defending decency invites the rule of viciousness, both public and personal.
We contend for a renewed spirit of acceptance, understanding, and cooperation across lines of religion, race, ethnicity, sex, and class. We are all created in the image of God and are accountable to him. That truth is the basis of individual responsibility and equality before the law. The abandonment of that truth has resulted in a society at war with itself, pitting citizens against one another in bitter conflicts of group grievances and claims to entitlement. Justice and social amity require a redirection of public attitudes and policies so that rights are joined to duties and people are rewarded according to their character and competence.
We contend for a free society with a vibrant market economy. A free society requires a careful balancing between economics, politics, and culture. Christianity is not an ideology and therefore does not prescribe precisely how that balance is to be achieved in every circumstance. We affirm the importance of a free economy not only because it is more efficient but because it accords with a Christian understanding of human freedom. Economic freedom, while subject to grave abuse, makes possible the patterns of creativity, cooperation, and accountability that contribute to the common good.
We contend together for a renewed appreciation of Western culture. In its history and missionary reach, Christianity engages all cultures while being captive to none. We are keenly aware of, and grateful for, the role of Christianity in shaping and sustaining the Western culture of which we are part. s with all of history, that culture is marred by human sinfulness. Alone among world cultures, however, the West has cultivated an attitude of self-criticism and of eagerness to learn from other cultures. What is called multiculturalism can mean respectful attention to human differences. More commonly today, however, multiculturalism means affirming all cultures but our own. Welcoming the contributions of other cultures and being ever alert to the limitations of our own, we receive Western culture as our legacy and embrace it as our task in order to transmit it as a gift to future generations.
We contend for public policies that demonstrate renewed respect for the irreplaceable role of mediating structures in society -- notably the family, churches, and myriad voluntary associations. The state is not the society, and many of the most important functions of society are best addressed in independence from the state. The role of churches in responding to a wide variety of human needs, especially among the poor and marginal, needs to be protected and strengthened. Moreover, society is not the aggregate of isolated individuals bearing rights but is composed of communities that inculcate responsibility, sustain shared memory, provide mutual aid, and nurture the habits that contribute to both personal well-being and the common good. Most basic among such communities is the community of the family. Laws and social policies should be designed with particular care for the stability and flourishing of families. While the crisis of the family in America is by no means limited to the poor or to the underclass, heightened attention must be paid those who have become, as a result of well intended but misguided statist policies, virtual wards of the government.
Finally, we contend for a realistic and responsible understanding of America's part in world affairs. Realism and responsibility require that we avoid both the illusions of unlimited power and righteousness, on the one hand, and the timidity and selfishness of isolationism, on the other. U.S. foreign policy should reflect a concern for the defense of democracy and, wherever prudent and possible, the protection and advancement of human rights, including religious freedom.
The above is a partial list of public responsibilities on which we believe there is a pattern of convergence and cooperation between Evangelicals and Catholics. We reject the notion that this constitutes a partisan "religious agenda" in American politics. Rather, this is a set of directions oriented to the common good and discussable on the basis of public reason. While our sense of civic responsibility is informed and motivated by Christian faith, our intention is to elevate the level of political and moral discourse in a manner that excludes no one and invites the participation of all people of good will. To that end, Evangelicals and Catholics have made an inestimable contribution in the past and, it is our hope, will contribute even more effectively in the future.
We are profoundly aware that the American experiment has been, all in all, a blessing to the world and a blessing to us as Evangelical and Catholic Christians. We are determined to assume our full share of responsibility for this "one nation under God," believing it to be a nation under the judgment, mercy, and providential care of the Lord of the nations to whom alone we render unqualified allegiance.
Today, in this country and elsewhere, Evangelicals and Catholics attempt to win "converts" from one another's folds. In some ways, this is perfectly understandable and perhaps inevitable. In many instances, however, such efforts at recruitment undermine the Christian mission by which we are bound by God's Word and to which we have recommitted ourselves in this statement. It should be clearly understood between Catholics and Evangelicals that Christian witness is of necessity aimed at conversion. Authentic conversion is -- in its beginning, in its end, and all along the way -- conversion to God in Christ by the power of the Spirit. In this connection, we embrace as our own the explanation of the Baptist-Roman Catholic International Conversation (1988):
Conversion is turning away from all that is opposed to God, contrary to Christ's teaching, and turning to God, to Christ, the Son, through the work of the Holy Spirit. It entails a turning from the self-centeredness of sin to faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. Conversion is a passing from one way of life to another new one, marked with the newness of Christ. It is a continuing process so that the whole life of a Christian should be a passage from death to life, from error to truth, from sin to grace. Our life in Christ demands continual growth in God's grace. Conversion is personal but not private. Individuals respond in faith to God's call but faith comes from hearing the proclamation of the word of God and is to be expressed in the life together in Christ that is the Church.
By preaching, teaching, and life example, Christians witness to Christians and non-Christians alike. We seek and pray for the conversion of others, even as we recognize our own continuing need to be fully converted. As we strive to make Christian faith and life -- our own and that of others -- ever more intentional rather than nominal, ever more committed rather than apathetic, we also recognize the different forms that authentic discipleship can take. As is evident in the two thousand year history of the church, and in our contemporary experience, there are different ways of being Christian, and some of these ways are distinctively marked by communal patterns of worship, piety, and catechesis. That we are all to be one does not mean that we are all to be identical in our way of following the one Christ. Such distinctive patterns of discipleship, it should be noted, are amply evident within the communion of the Catholic Church as well as within the many worlds of Evangelical Protestantism.
It is understandable that Christians who bear witness to the Gospel try to persuade others that their communities and traditions are more fully in accord with the Gospel. There is a necessary distinction between evangelizing and what is today commonly called proselytizing or "sheep stealing." We condemn the practice of recruiting people from another community for purposes of denominational or institutional aggrandizement. At the same time, our commitment to full religious freedom compels us to defend the legal freedom to proselytize even as we call upon Christians to refrain from such activity.
Three observations are in order in connection with proselytizing. First, as much as we might believe one community is more fully in accord with the Gospel than another, we as Evangelicals and Catholics affirm that opportunity and means for growth in Christian discipleship are available in our several communities. Second, the decision of the committed Christian with respect to his communal allegiance and participation must be assiduously respected. Third, in view of the large number of non-Christians in the world and the enormous challenge of our common evangelistic task, it is neither theologically legitimate nor a prudent use of resources for one Christian community to proselytize among active adherents of another Christian community.
Christian witness must always be made in a spirit of love and humility. It must not deny but must readily accord to everyone the full freedom to discern and decide what is God's will for his life. Witness that is in service to the truth is in service to such freedom. Any form of coercion -- physical, psychological, legal, economic -- corrupts Christian witness and is to be unqualifiedly rejected. Similarly, bearing false witness against other persons and communities, or casting unjust and uncharitable suspicions upon them, is incompatible with the Gospel. Also to be rejected is the practice of comparing the strengths and ideals of one community with the weaknesses and failures of an other. In describing the teaching and practices of other Christians, we must strive do so in a way that they would recognize as fair and accurate.
In considering the many corruptions of Christian witness, we, Evangelicals and Catholics, confess that we have sinned against one another and against God. We most earnestly ask the forgiveness of God and one another, and pray for the grace to amend our own lives and that of our communities.
Repentance and amendment of life do not dissolve remaining differences between us. In the context of evangelization and "reevangelization," we encounter a major difference in our understanding of the relationship between baptism and the new birth in Christ. For Catholics, all who are validly baptized are born again and are truly, however imperfectly, in communion with Christ. That baptismal grace is to be continuingly reawakened and revivified through conversion. For most Evangelicals, but not all, the experience of conversion is to be followed by baptism as a sign of new birth. For Catholics, all the baptized are already members of the church, however dormant their faith and life; for many Evangelicals, the new birth requires baptismal initiation into the community of the born again. These differing beliefs about the relationship between baptism, new birth, and membership in the church should be honestly presented to the Christian who has undergone conversion. But again, his decision regarding communal allegiance and participation must be assiduously respected.
There are, then, differences between us that cannot be resolved here. But on this we are resolved: All authentic witness must be aimed at conversion to God in Christ by the power of the Spirit. Those converted -- whether understood as having received the new birth for the first time or as having experienced the reawakening of the new birth originally bestowed in the sacrament of baptism -- must be given full freedom and respect as they discern and decide the community in which they will live their new life in Christ. In such discernment and decision, they are ultimately responsible to God, and we dare not interfere with the exercise of that responsibility. Also in our differences and disagreements, we Evangelicals and Catholics commend one another to God "who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3)
In this discussion of witnessing together we have touched on difficult and long standing problems. The difficulties must not be permitted to overshadow the truths on which we are, by the grace of God, in firm agreement. As we grow in mutual understanding and trust, it is our hope that our efforts to evangelize will not jeopardize but will reinforce our devotion to the common tasks to which we have pledged ourselves in this statement.
We do know that his promise is sure, that we are enlisted for the duration, and that we are in this together. We do know that we must affirm and hope and search and contend and witness together, for we belong not to ourselves but to him who has purchased us by the blood of the cross. We do know that this is a time of opportunity -- and, if of opportunity, then of responsibility -- for Evangelicals and Catholics to be Christians together in a way that helps prepare the world for the coming of him to whom belongs the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. + + +
==================================================================== This statement appeared in the May 1994 issue of First Things, a monthly journal published in New York City by the Institute on Religion and Public Life. ==================================================================== This statement may be copied and/or circulated provided that the above notice is included. ==================================================================== This statement was scanned and proofread from an original by firstname.lastname@example.com Permission to copy and post was obtained from Matthew Berke at the Institute on Religion and Public Life. ====================================================================
The declaration, initiated by Colson, chairman of Prison Fellowship Ministries, and Father Richard John Neuhaus of the Institute on Religion and Public Life, declares: "We together, evangelicals and Catholics, confess our sins against the unity that Chirst intends for all his disciples."
The statemnet contains a joint affirmation that "Christians are to teach and live in obedience to the divinely inspired Scriptures, which are the infallible word of God," while rejecting "any appearance of harmony that is purchased at the price of truth." The statement lists areas where Catholics and evangelicals still hold different understandings of the church, sacraments, ministry, saints and the role of the Bible.
"We have differences," Colson said, "but on the ancient creeds and the core beliefs of Christianity we stand together. Christianity is besieged on all sides--by a militant nation of Islam, by pantheists who have invaded many areas of life through the New Age Movement, and by the aggressive secularism of Western life."
Thirty-nine scholars and Christan leaders endorsed the 25-page statement. In addition to Colson and Neuhaus, they include: Rev. Pat Robertson, Professor J.I. Packer, Dr. Os Guinness, Dr. Kent Hill, Dr. Richard Land, Dr. John White, Dr. Bill Bright, Rev. Avery Dulles, John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop Francis Stafford, Bishop Carlos Sevilla, George Weigel and Michael Novak. # # #


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Case studies
|Named Person:
|Beth Kephardt; Bernice Johnson Reagon; Ysaye M Barnwell
|Material Type:
|Audio book, etc.
|Document Type:
|Sound Recording
|All Authors / Contributors:
Beth Engeler; Karen Kelly, commentator.; Jeanne H Neff; Patti Swartz; Sage Colleges.; WAMC (Radio station : Albany, N.Y.)
|OCLC Number:
|Title supplied by cataloger.
|Beth Engeler ; Karen Kelly ; Jeanne Neff ; Patti Swartz.
|1 audiocassette (25 min.) : analog.
|Series Title:
|51% (Radio program), no. 481 (Oct. 1, 1998)
Part 1. By the time he was two, Beth Kephardt knew something wasn't right with her son, Jeremy. It turned out he had a form of autism. A Slant of sun is the story of how Beth, her husband and Jeremy found their way in a complicated reality. Beth Engeler reports. (7:00).
Part 2. Sweet Honey in the Rock is all female, all African American, and all voice. Karen Kelly profiles the singing group on its 25th anniversary. (8:30).
Part 3. While we celebrate the stories of famous women heroines, sometimes we overlook the women in our own backyards. Commentator Patti Swartz has "her mother's story". (2:30).
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- Kephardt, Beth. -- Slant of sun.
- Developmentally disabled children -- Biography.
- Child development deviations -- Case studies.
- Sweet Honey in the Rock (Musical group)
- Reagon, Bernice Johnson, -- 1942-
- Barnwell, Ysaye M.
- African American singers.
- African American women composers.
- Mothers -- Kentucky -- Biography.
- Oral history.


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Philadelphia Mall owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said Thursday that it has introduced a new American Express mall gift card that will be redeemable nationwide.
"The new PREIT Mall American Express Gift Card is redeemable in all of our malls, as well as most retail and restaurant locations nationwide, which offers greater flexibility for our shoppers and corporate clients' gift-giving needs," said Judy Trias, PREIT VP retail marketing.
PREIT Mall American Express Gift Cards will be available for purchase at 39 PREIT owned and managed malls.


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A High-End Trench With A Moderate Price Tag
Our dream: waltzing through April and May in the perfect Burberry trench coat. Reality: yeah, right. As an alternative, check out this tan oversized trench, which comes at a fraction of the price but still brings a high-end aesthetic. Plus, we're into the idea of making this spring jacket less fitted and girly, and taking a more boyish approach with a roomy fit, and a bloused look when belted.