10A - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN NEWS THURSDAY,MAY8,2003 LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS INC. 842-8665 2858 Four Wheel Dr. - Furnished Apt. Available - Gas heat & water - Fully equipped kitchens including microwaves - W/D in select Apts - Private balconies & patios - On-site laundry facility - Pool - On KU bus route - On-site Manager - 24 hr. emergency Maintenance Models Open Daily! For more information call 785-841-5255 Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ECM releases letter to support Dailey's course The Ecumenical Christian Ministry released its own letter in support of Dennis Dalley, whose class on human sexuality has been the target of Sen. Susan Wagle's recent legislation. "From everything we know about Dennis Dailey, these charges are unwarranted," said Thad Holcombe, director of ECM, in a press release. "We have witnessed Professor Dailey to be an exceptional teacher and a thoughtful Christian and academic, who is unafraid to address sensitive subject matter for the benefit of our community." In an open letter to the University community; I am writing to you today on behalf of the Ecumenical Christian Ministries board of directors. As you may know, "Human Sexuality In Everyday Life," is offered as a noncredit course through the Sexuality Education Committee at KU. This registered student organization is supported by the following campus ministries: Ecumenical Christian Ministries (United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA, Church of the "ECM affirms that human sexuality, while including the gift of procreation capacity, is most importantly God's invitation to find our destinies not in loneliness but in deep con nection." Thad Holcombe director of ECM Brethren and the Religious Society of Friends), Canterbury House (Episcopal), Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA), United Methodist Campus Ministry, Hillel Foundation, First Presbyterian College Ministry and St. John the Baptist's Independent Catholic. The course itself takes place at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries center. It is a ten-week course, meeting two hours every week during the spring semester. "Human Sexuality In Everyday Life" has been offered for at least six years. Professor Dailey has also offered workshops on "Intimacy for Committed Couples." Again, we alongwith the other campus ministries Dailey have sponsored these opportunities for students and others. Approximately 500 participants have enrolled in these offerings. We are very careful to ask that written evaluations be completed by participants. Over the years, the evaluations rate the class and workshop as very positive, with very few exceptions. I personally attended every session of "Human Sexuality in Everyday Life" for two consecutive years. I still sit in on some of the presentations as do other campus ministers. My daughter has attended some of the sessions and I recommend both offerings to couples when I meet with them for premarital counseling. ECM is in support of academic freedom and Dennis Dailey. We also want to be very clear that we understand our sponsorship of "Human Sexuality in Everyday Life" is integral to our mission as a ministry, ECM affirms that human sexuality, while including the gift of procreation capacity, is most importantly God's invitation "to find our destinies not in loneliness but in deep connection. To the degree that it is free from the distortions of unjust and abusive power relations, we experience our sexuality as the basic Eros of our humanness that urges, invites and lures us out of our loneliness into intimate communication and communion with God and the world." (Dr. James Nelson, Sexuality and the Sacred, edited by Nelson and Longfellow.) It is through our sexuality that we physiologically and emotionally express our capacity to love. It may also be helpful to know that Professor Dailey is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Lawrence. During the time with us he has always been available to meet with any person taking the non-credit course and has referred to me those desiring counsel. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding our position. Sincerely, Thad Holcombe ECM board of directors; Perry Alexander Sandy Beverly Lindsay Burch Lynn Burke Dorothy Clark Doug Crawford-Parker Regan Doyle Rich Givens Richard Gutierrez Mary Klayder Mike Lee John Lord Bob Minor Jennifer Parson Megan Purcell Kathy Sanders Phillip Schrodt Amanda Shaw Bill Stype Lanny Tate Mary Tate Sandra Wick George Wilson ---