Dear Members of Austin Mennonite Church: At the risk of becoming known as a "broken record" on this subject, I am attaching a notice of a fast and vigil against the death penalty. It will take place here in Austin on July 1-2. Best regards, Walter A. Wright Associate Professor Legal Studies Program Department of Political Science Texas State University 601 University Drive San Marcos, Texas 78666 (512) 245-2138 (Telephone) (512) 245-7815 (Fax) ________________________________ From: amc-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Wright, Walter A Sent: Sun 6/11/2006 11:07 PM To: garland robertson; Austin Mennonite Church Subject: [amc] Re: Proposed letter on death penalty Dear Members of Austin Mennonite Church: As you may know, our congregation is considering joining the Austin Meeting of Friends and other religious groups in formally opposing the death penalty in Texas. The initiative involves sending a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (with a copy to the Governor) each time an individual is scheduled for execution in Texas. A proposed form of letter is attached to this message. At the request of Garland Robertson and Ray Gingerich, I drafted the attached letter, which stongly resembles the letter that the Quakers currently send to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Our congregation's Peace and Justice Committee reviewed the letter and recommended it for consieration by the entire congregation. Today at Adult Sunday School, those present reviewed and discussed the letter. Everyone present at today's meeting opposes the death penalty and is generally in favor of the letter, though some members want to discuss further whether our congregation will be sliding down a "slipperly slope" towards political manipulation if we begin sending letters of this type. Because there was general support for the letter (with the reservations that I mentioned above), Garland asked me to forward the letter to the entire congretation, which I am doing. We would like the entire congregation to review the letter and express any support, reservations, or criticisms. The plan is to have another meeting later in the year to give the entire congregation an opportunity to express views before taking any action, as a congregation, to send letters to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Some members who were present at today's Adult Sunday School want to begin sending letters to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as individuals while we are considering any action that we may wish to take as a congregation. I have agreed to send information to those individuals, on a monthly basis, about the scheduled executions. If anyone receiving this message wishes to receive this additional information, please let me know, and I will place your name on a separate list for receiving it. Best regards, Walter A. Wright Associate Professor Legal Studies Program Department of Political Science Texas State University 601 University Drive San Marcos, Texas 78666 (512) 245-2138 (Telephone) (512) 245-7815 (Fax) ________________________________