Evangelicals plan 'quiet' DNC action

By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 30, 2008 at 8:16 p.m.
Updated July 31, 2008 at 2:33 a.m.

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The convention stew of politicians, delegates, protesters and general hoopla that will be served to the city next month just got another ingredient - a group of 60 evangelical churches planning a "quiet demonstration" throughout the four-day event.

One Church Metro Denver will set up operations, including a tent, at Creekfront Park at Larimer Street and Speer Boulevard in the heart of the Democratic National Convention buzz.

From Monday, Aug. 25, through the convention's closing night Thursday, volunteers will distribute water, pray with people and offer live worship music, said spokesman Steve Chavis. Volunteers also will go through downtown to help with trash pickup.

By "quiet demonstration" the churches want to show there's another way to make a point than "vocal public actions," he said.

"If there's no yelling and no protest signs, are we still saying anything? Yes we are, but it's not loud and it's not angry," Chavis said. "That's how One Church Metro Denver wants to interact."

He said the coalition has all the required permits. It will also accept prayer requests on its Web site, 1ChurchMetroDenver.org, and run an online prayer forum.

During worship services this weekend, the coalition's planners will begin recruiting volunteers at individual churches.

The church coalition has been in the works for months, driven by pastors from high-profile congregations, including Faith Bible Chapel and Orchard Road Christian Center and from newer churches with specific ministries, like Resurrection Anglican Fellowship and Confluence Ministries, which touts a diverse urban ministry.

• July 31, 2008

  2:47 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  happymike44 writes:

  Well looks like freedom of speech is alive and ell in Denver.
  Hope the police let them express their opinions.
  But knowing the modern day police they will probably round up these people and leave the murderers free.
  So I wish them a peaceful and benificial protest.
  Our government has last touch with the people about who really is in charge.
  Well I want to say more but the big eyes are watchin us and keeping us on a list.

• July 31, 2008

  8:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  blacksho89 writes:

  freethought = grumpy old man.

• July 31, 2008

  9 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  leftside writes:

  Oh they will. It's called being passive aggressive. Their only reason for being their is to stir the pot in hopes of causing a riot. Think about it, most people, including myself would have no desire to go to the opposite parties convention. The only people that would are there to make a statement. If they aren't making the desired statement then........

  Law enforcement, these are the people you need to watch. Wolves in sheeps clothing and all that.

• July 31, 2008

  9:15 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  leftside needs to lay off the drugs!

  Scott

• July 31, 2008

  9:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Frontranger writes:

  Focus on your own damn family!

• July 31, 2008

  11:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  P_Denver writes:

  No yelling, no signs. Volunteering to pick up trash.

  Exactly what sort of threat are they presenting?

  Talk about hostile!

  Effectively, you are protesting their right to exist.

  What a bunch of immature comments.

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