April 14, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Redesigned Web Site Launched - New Logo and Tag Line Introduced

April 14, 2004 (Seattle, WA) - Today, EC launched a redesigned Web site, and introduced a new logo and tag line, "Creating safe places for GLBT Christians."

Web site: The key goals of the new Web site design are to improve the "look & feel" from a marketing perspective and establish a strong framework for better delivery of content, resources, on-line services, and maintainability of the Web site.

Tag line: The ECWR board brainstormed at the Palm Springs board meeting in January, and adopted the new tag line "Creating safe places for GLBT Christians"  to quickly communicate our message in advertising and on the Web.

Logo: EC's logo development team produced a new logo designed to communicate a youthful, informal, and friendly message.  The team started with analysis about who we want to reach, and how.  Team members worked with a professional marketing consultant, two independent artists and a logo design firm to create a piece of artwork that expresses a few key concepts about the EC message: 

• The dove represents the essence of spirit and peace in the New Testament.  When Jesus Christ was baptized by John in the river Jordan, a dove descended on our Savior, representing the Holy Spirit. 

• This universal image speaks of God's love, grace and peace to all people.  The dove identifies EC as a "safe place" for spiritual practice and growth.

• The dove means "peacemaker."  EC actively brings God's peace to those who may need a place to process their issues and to connect with God without fear.

• The same Spirit - the One that flew down to Jesus as a dove - dwells in us and moves among us, just like the rest of Christianity.  The presence of the Spirit testifies to our redemption and equality in Christ more than any other evidence we can offer.

ECWR's board recognizes that in the 21st century, we must convey a positive message of God's love, grace and peace to all GLBT Christians.  By using the dove, we harken back to a much older symbol used throughout the last 2000 years in Christianity, which has always been associated with peace and safety in our culture. In addition, the redesigned Web site and tag line will focus our efforts to convey that positive message to the community.

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EC exposes the routine misconceptions of scripture used to condemn and deny God's grace and love to those who seek a profession of faith. EC is committed to providing a place of ongoing reconciliation to those struggling to integrate their relationship to God with what is also their God-given sexual orientation.

Evangelicals Concerned Western Region (ECWR) is a nationwide ministry, which encourages and affirms lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians in their faith.  We organize small groups, bible studies, social activities and other events in many North American cities, and we organize national and regional conferences every year.