Celebrate We Will

I woke up this morning to some sad & disheartening news. A school in my city, Mount St. Mary Academy, has forced the resignation of a teacher. Tippi McCullough has taught at MSM for 15 years, just a bit longer than she has been in a committed relationship, a relationship of which the school administration was aware. She and her partner traveled to New Mexico to be legally married this week, and not even an hour after their ceremony, Tippi received a phone call, stating that she must resign or be fired. You can read the entire story here:

http://m.arktimes.com/arkansas/blogs/Post?basename=human-rights-campaign-says-mount-st-mary-prepared-to-fire-gay-teacher-for-marrying&day=17&id=ArkansasBlog&month=10&year=2013

As a member of the LGBTQ community, a resident of Little Rock, a Christian, & a human being, I am absolutely sickened by MSM's actions.

While I do and will continue to stand up for #teamtippi , I wanted to post a recipe intended to celebrate the love of Tippi & her wife, Barb. The recipe below is a generic one I found online a few years ago, but is one I still use today. I've served this punch at many a celebration, and intend to serve it at my own Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant ceremony in December. (Same-sex marriage isn't legal in Arkansas, but the Episcopal diocese allows priests to perform a blessing ceremony. We plan to get legally married out-of-state on our honeymoon.) I hope & pray that, amid all the craziness and outright discrimination in their lives right now, Tippi & Barb will focus on the love and celebrate their marriage! Jobs will come and go, but love is forever.

Congratulations on your marriage, Tippi & Barb! I support you, as do many others!

Celebration Champagne Punch

1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate

1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate

1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate

1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, chilled

1 liter carbonated water, chilled

2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled

1 lemon - sliced, for garnish

1/2 cup fresh mint, garnish

In large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice concentrate, pink lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, white wine, club soda and champagne. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

Recipe & Photo via http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/32664/champagne-punch-iii

•