Dear Jack,

Here’s about all that happened this month.  I’ve been looking constantly for a new job.  Several other friends have joined me in similar pursuits.  It seems like I know just as many unemployed as I do employed.  Hopefully we’ll all find something and soon.

I attended the Out to Work job fair, but the line was outrageous and down the street.  I doubt there were enough jobs in the fair for maybe 50-100 people.  Some exhibitors didn’t even take resumes, but were just there to tell you to go to their websites and apply.

Sept 9 I traveled to St. Louis for IntegrityUSA’s After Anaheim Conference.  We stayed in the Omni hotel in downtown St. Louis.  The trip was actually a lot of fun, and it was nice to get to know my colleagues as Provincial Coordinators.  We also looked into the possibility of joining the Welcoming Resources program for identifying welcoming congregations.  For the most part, I think they sold me on the idea.  I roomed with Neil, and as always, had a grand time with him.

I came back in time for the Democratic Primary.  I was very happy to learn that my ex-boss lost with only less than 1/3 of the votes.  I’m a Christian who believes in Karma.  I was also very happy to have participated in several successful campaigns.  The victories of Danny Dromm and Chris Quinn were the highlights.  Despite the fact that the lady I supported in my own city council district did not win, I am still very happy with the result of Jimmy Van Bramer.  I was never an anti-Van Bramer person, and I think he’ll do a grand job.  I was very sad for the loss of my friend Bob Zuckerman in Brooklyn.  Michael and I attended the Victory Party for Danny Dromm in Jackson Heights, having helped hand out literature on election day.  It amazed me to see some of the anti-Dromm literature that was “anonymously” distributed–very homophobic, and outright lies.  I hope whoever instigated it is found and exposed for the homophobe they are.

On the 20th, IntegrityNYC had a celebratory Eucharist at St. Luke in the Fields, which was presided over by Bishop Roskam.  I was so grateful for all the people who helped to make it possible.  We had about 60 people…not great, but not awful.  It is a start yet shows the momentum we have to grown in the Diocese.

I have identified about 125 parishes in NY and NJ that are not yet Integrity parishes, but due to their policies and welcoming stances SHOULD be.  It will be my job as Province II Coordinator to help get them on board.

Not having a job, I’ve found myself feeling reclusive.  Mind you, it could also have been the cold I had in the later half of the month.  Still, the idea of hanging out with large groups of people and being very extroverted seems a bit intimidating, especially since one of the first questions people ask are “what do you do for a living” to which I have to reply “I’m currently looking for a job”.  Though, with so many people in the same predicament, most are understanding, and it doesn’t hold the same perception that it did in the past.

My goal for October is to continue to push myself to be out there meeting people.  It will be my job with Integrity to do this, but also a responsibility as a leader in OUT Astoria.  Plus my friends are always trying to pull me out, and that really means a lot to me.

One of the biggest things that I have recognized is how wonderful and supportive my friends are.  There is so much love that I have received from them, and I hope that I can return it 10 fold.