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IOWA: 167 Iowa faith leaders back same-gender 'marriage'
Virtue Online ^ | 2/25/2010

Posted on 04/30/2010 5:07:53 AM PDT by markomalley

IOWA: 167 Iowa faith leaders back same-gender 'marriage'
15 Episcopal priests including bishop sign letter

http://tinyurl.com/yfabdm5
February 24, 2010

More than 150 clergy from across Iowa have signed a letter of support for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The letter was announced by Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund, a statewide organization that frequently advocates for civil rights. The group delivered the letter today to lawmakers during a press conference at the Capitol.

"The Supreme Court of Iowa recognized that equity and fairness is the starting point in our state's constitution," said Rev. Matt Mardis-LeCroy, Board Chairperson of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and minister at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines. "We as clergy from different faith traditions adhere to this principle and stand firmly with gay and lesbian couples to underscore the importance of marriage equality. Our traditions and practices as religious entities should never be used to exclude equal protection from anyone."

Here's a copy of the letter delivered to lawmakers:

February 16, 2010

Dear Senators and Representatives,

As clergy representing a broad spectrum of theological beliefs, we join together to state our public support of civil marriage equality for same-gender couples and our opposition to any current or future legislation diminishing the marriage rights rightfully given by Iowa's Supreme Court. We are compelled by our deepest beliefs to stand for fairness in our common civic life. We oppose the use of sacred texts and religious traditions to deny equal protection and responsibility under the law for gay and lesbian couples.

From a religious perspective, marriage is about a couple entering into a holy covenant with their God and making a long-term commitment to share life's joys and sorrows. Moreover, as many faith traditions affirm, where there is love, the sacred is in our midst. This belief is the same for couples comprised of a man and a woman, two women, or two men. As such, a marriage based in love and commitment must be honored and supported.

Civilly, marriage is commonly valued in society because it creates stable, committed relationships; provides a means to protect and be responsible for each other; and nurtures the individual, the couple, and children. All families must be supported in building stable, empowering, and respectful relationships. Marriage equality is a means to strengthen families and is especially beneficial to children who are raised by gay and lesbian couples.

We affirm freedom of conscience in this matter. Marriage equality honors the religious convictions of those communities and clergy who officiate at, and bless, same-gender marriages. We recognize the state does not and should not require clergy or religious traditions who disagree with same-gender marriage to officiate at, or bless, the ceremonies of gay and lesbian couples. The state must respect the convictions of all religious groups and individuals, while also allowing the fundamental right of marriage to be granted fairly to all people.

As clergy, we stand together in support of civil marriage equality for ALL families. We ask for your support of civil marriage equality and ask that you oppose any resolution or attempt to diminish the marriage rights of Iowa's families.

Bishop Alan Scarfe; Bishop; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

Rev. Dr. Rich Pleva; Iowa Conference Minister; United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. Richard Guentert; Former Regional Minister of the Upper Midwest Region (retired); Christian

Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Charles Ager; ELCA (retired); Strawberry Point

The Rev. Alexander A. Aiton, Jr.; Rector, St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church & Student Center; Ames

The Rev. Dr. James Altenbaumer; United Church of Christ; Cedar Falls

Rev. Nancy L. Anderson; Zion United Church of Christ; Hubbard

Rev. Michael N. Armstrong; Senior Minister; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Davenport

Rev. Paul S. Bengtson; ELCA (retired); Storm Lake

Rev. Steve Bibb; First United Methodist Church; Fort Dodge

Rev. Anna Blaedel; United Methodist Church; Osage

Rev. Ramona S. Bouzard; St. Paul Lutheran Church; Waverly

Rev. Dr. Walter C. Bouzard; Waverly

Rev. Stephen L. Bowie; Member, Presbytery of Des Moines; Bloomfield

Pastor Brad Braley; First Presbyterian Church; Cedar Falls

Rev. Kenneth E. Briggs, Jr.; Chaplain, Lt. Col, USAF (retired); Altoona Christian Church (DOC); Altoona

The Rev. Jeanette Brodersen; Associate Minister, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Barbara Bullock; United Church of Christ (retired); Ankeny

The Rev. Dr. Sean D. Burke; Luther College; Decorah

Rev. Christopher C. Burtnett; Schleswig United Church of Christ; Schleswig

Rev. Linda M. Butler; Collegiate United Methodist & Wesley Foundation; Ames

The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Butterfield; Urbandale United Church of Christ; Urbandale

Rev. Eva S. Cameron; Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County; Cedar Falls

Reverend Tom Capo; Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist; Cedar Rapids

Pastor John Chaplin; Licensed Pastor; Central Association of the Iowa Conference of the United Church

of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Kathleen Clark; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines

Priest Richard Cleaver; Saints Ephrem and Macrina Mission, Orthodox-Catholic Church of America; Grinnell

Rev. Dr. David Cline; Evangelical Church in America; Polk City

Rev. Milton Cole Duvall; Episcopalian; West Des Moines

Rev. Elizabeth Colton; United Church of Christ; Oskaloosa

Dr. Rev. Robert Cook; Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (retired); Des Moines

Rev. William Cotton; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines

Rev. Robert S. Crandall; Executive Director; Bidwell Riverside Center; Des Moines

Pastor Michael Dack; United Church of Christ; Newton

Rev. D. Mark Davis; Pastor, Heartland Presbyterian Church; Clive

Rev. Pamela S. Deeds; Walnut Hills United Methodist Church/ Wesley UMC's; Des Moines

Rev. Dennis Dickman; ELCA (retired); Waverly

Rev. Dr. Tim Diebel; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Des Moines

Rev. Elizabeth Dilley; First Congregational United Church of Christ; Red Oak

Rev. Barbara Dinnen; United Methodist Church; Des Moines

The Rev. Maureen Doherty; Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry; Cedar Falls

Sondra Eddings; Minister; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Des Moines

Rabbi Steven Edelman-Blank; Tifereth Israel Synagogue; Des Moines

Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames; Ames

Rev. Peg Esperenza; Church of the Holy Spirit, MCC; Des Moines

Rev. Faith Ferre'; Minister of Discipleship, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Jeffrey E. Filkins; Trinity United Church of Christ; Hartley

The Rev. Travis M. Fisher; St. Mark Lutheran Church; Davenport

Rev. Dr. Barbara Gaddis; Collegiate Presbyterian Church; Ames

The Rev. Andrew G. Gangle; Peace Lutheran Church; Adel

Rev. Fred R. Gee; retired, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Des Moines

Reverend Tom Gehlsen; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Des Moines

Rev. Randall E. Gehring; Bethesda Lutheran Church, ELCA; Ames

Rev. Jaymee Glenn-Burns; Field Outreach Minister, United Methodist Church; Cedar Falls

Rev. David Glenn-Burns; Wesley Foundation at UNI; Cedar Falls

Rabbi Guy Greene; Congregation Beth Shalom; Sioux City

The Rev. John H. Greve; New Song Episcopal Church; Coralville

Rev. Chet Guinn; Methodist Federation for Social Action; Des Moines

Rev. Elizabeth Gull; Universal Life Church; Nevada

Rev. Susan Guy; United Methodist; Urbandale

Pastor John Hagberg; St. Mark Lutheran Church; Sioux City

The Rev. Jennifer L. Hall; Chaplain, Iowa Health; Metropolitan Community Churches; Des Moines

Rev. Dawn Halstead; Chaplain, Hospice of Central Iowa; Des Moines

Rev. Bob Hamilton; United Church of Christ (retired); Davenport

Rev. George Hanusa; ELCA (retired); Windsor Heights

Rev. Richard W. Harbart; United Church of Christ; Clive

The Rev. John Harper; New Song Episcopal Church; Coralville

Rev. Stephanie Haskins; Associate Minister, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Nicole Havelka; Iowa Conference United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Mark Haverland; United Methodist Church; Ankeny

Rev. Dave Heinze; Campus Minister; Graceland University; Lamoni

Rev. Rich Hendricks; Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities; Davenport

Rev. Dan Herndon; United Methodist Church (retired); Waterloo

Dr. Susan E. Hill; Associate Professor of Religion, UNI; Unitarian Universalist Society of Black

Hawk County; Waterloo

The Rev. Holly Horn, PhD; Tiffin

Rev. Margaret Hutchens; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Charles City

Rev. Gerald Iverson; Associate in Ministry; ELCA (retired); Sioux City

Pastor Steven M. Jacobsen; First Lutheran Church; Decorah

Rev. Carlos Jayne; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines

Rev. Eric Johnson; Reformed Church in America; Des Moines

Reverend Patricia Johnson; Episcopal Deacon; Sioux City

Rev. Paul A. Johnson; United Church of Christ - Congregational; Ames

The Rev. Scott A. Johnson; Lutheran Campus Ministry at Iowa State University (ELCA); Ames

Rev. R. Paul Johnston; Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA); Sioux City

The Rev. Dr. Judith Jones; St. Andrew's Episcopal Church; Waverly

Rabbi Henry Jay Karp; Temple Emanuel; Davenport

Rabbi David Kaufman; Temple B'Nai Jeshurun; Des Moines

The Rev. Robert Keefer, PhD; Presbyterian; Clarinda

Rev. Naomi Kirstein; Wellspring Community Church; Des Moines

Rev. Bruce Kittle; Faith United Church of Christ; Iowa City

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn A. Kleinhans; Wartburg College; Waverly

Pastor Jim Klosterboer; Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church; Elkader

Rev. C. Eugene Koth; United Methodist Church (retired); Clive

Rev. Mark W. Kukkonen; Intentional Interim Pastor; St. Stephen's Lutheran Church; Cedar Rapids

Rev. Carmen Lampe-Zeitler; United Methodist Church; Des Moines

Rev. Martha E. Lang; Deacon; Trinity Episcopal Church; Muscatine

The Rev. Torey Lightcap; Rector, St. Thomas Episcopal Church; Sioux City

Rev. Kathleen Love, D.D.; Interfaith Minister; The Wedding Chapel; Des Moines

Rev. James Love, D.D.; Interfaith Minister; The Wedding Chapel; Des Moines

The Rev. William H. Lovin; Congregational United Church of Christ; Iowa City

Rev. Ted Lyddon Hatten; Wesley Foundation, Drake University; Indianola

Rev. Whit Malone; Collegiate Presbyterian Church; Ames

Rev. Mary Beth Mardis-LeCroy; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Matthew J. Mardis-LeCroy; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Pastor Sam Massey; First Presbyterian Church; Iowa City

Rev. Gene Matthews; United Methodist Church (retired missionary)

The Reverend Benjamin Maucere; Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City; Iowa City

The Rev. Jean McCarthy; Rector; Episcopalian; Des Moines

Rev. Diane McClanahan; Trinity United Methodist Church; Des Moines

Rev. James I. Meadows, Jr.; First Congregational United Church of Christ; Fort Dodge

The Rev. Russell Melby; Iowa Director, Church World Service/CROP; ELCA clergy;

Rev. Fritz Mellberg; United Church of Christ; Hiawatha

John Miller; Commissioned Lay Minister; Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County; Cedar Falls

Reverend Roger Mohr; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Burlington

Rev. Mary Moore; Unitarian Church of Davenport; Davenport

Rev. Allen Mothershed; United Church of Christ; Davenport

Rev. Katherine Mulhern; Edwards Congregational United Church of Christ; Davenport

Rev. Amy E. E. Murray, BCC; Urbandale United Church of Christ; Urbandale

Pastor Vernon H. Naffier; Faculty, GrandView University; ELCA; Ankeny

Rev. Peter T. Nash, PhD; Professor of Religion & Liberal Studies; Wartburg College; Waverly

Rev. Gus Nelson; Presbyterian (retired); Des Moines

Rev. Barbara Nish; Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.; Des Moines

Rev. Patricia Adams Oberbillig; Minister of Pastoral Care (retired), Plymouth Congregational United Church

of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Delwyn L. Olivier; Augustana Lutheran Church; Sioux City

Rev. Ronald Osborne; Des Moines

Rev. James R. Pemble; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines

The Rev. Doug Peters; Senior Minister, Walnut Hills United Methodist Church; Urbandale

Rev. Oren Peterson; Unitarian Universalist (retired); Des Moines

Rev. Ronald D. Petrak; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines

Rev. Julie M. Poore; United Methodist Church; Granger

Rev. Charles M. Pope; Rector; St. Paul's Episcopal Church; Grinnell

Rabbi Jeff Portman; Agudas Achim Congregation; Iowa City

Rev. Robert Price; retired; Newton

The Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engel; Episcopalian; Mt. Vernon

The Rev. Julia Rendon; Crossroads United Church of Christ; Indianola

The Rev. Charity Rowley; Unitarian Universalist (retired); Iowa City

Rev. Nancy Ruby; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clinton; Clinton

The Reverend Dr. David R. Ruhe; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Janette Scott; Presbyterian; Des Moines

Rev. Michael J. Schmidt; Christ Lutheran/St. Peter; LeMars

Pastor Victoria Shepherd; Denver

Rev. Charlotte Shivvers; Unitarian Universalist (retired); Knoxville

Rev. Deanna Shorb; College Chaplain; Grinnell

Rev. Diana Jacobs Sickles; ELCA (retired); Des Moines

Rev. Gary Sneller; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Ottumwa

Rev. Dr. Larry W. Sonner, D.Min.; United Methodist Church (retired); Urbandale

Rev. Ron Spears; Retired clergy; Waterloo

Pastor Sarah Stadler-Ammon; Denver

Rev. Jerry Stevenson; Welsh Congregational Church UCC; Iowa City

Rev. William Steward; Grace United Methodist Church; Des Moines

Rev. Jane Stewart; New Song Episcopal Church; Coralville

Rev. Gayle V. Strickler, Jr.; Adjunct Minister for Community Concerns, Urbandale United Church

of Christ; Urbandale

Rev. Mark Stringer; First Unitarian Church; Des Moines

Rev. Cheryl R. Thomas; Calvary Baptist Church; Des Moines

The Rev. Rachel Thorson Mithelman; St. John's Lutheran Church; Des Moines

Rev. Dr. James L. Wallace; Central Presbyterian Church; Des Moines

Pastor Barbara Weier; Zion United Church of Christ; Hartley

Rev. Dr. Susan K. Weier; United Church of Christ; Grinnell

Pastor Kenneth C. Wells; Licensed Lay Pastor; First Congregational UCC Church; Onawa

Pastor Mary A. Wells; Licensed Lay Pastor; First Congregational UCC Church; Onawa

Rev. Jane A. Willan; Zion United Church of Christ; Burlington

Rev. Dr. Dana Wimmer; Waterloo First United Methodist Church; Waterloo

Rev. Angie Witmer; Minister to Young Adults & Youth, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines

Rev. Beverly J. Wolff; St. John Lutheran Church; Cushing

The Rev. Jean Wollenberg; Executive Director/Chaplain, Hospice of Washington County; Washington

Rev. Bob Wollenberg; United Presbyterian Church; Washington

Rev. Mark A. Young; Wesley United Methodist Church; Ottumwa

Speakers said they wanted to counter arguments by people who rely on the Bible to back up their views.

The Iowa Supreme Court last spring struck down a state law banning homosexual marriage. The Legislature has been pushed to begin the lengthy process of putting a constitutional amendment before voters that would overturn that ruling. But most Democrats, who dominate both chambers, have declined to act.


TOPICS: Catholic; Mainline Protestant; Orthodox Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: homosexualagenda; moralabsolutes
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I realize that this is a couple of months old, but thought it was worthwhile posting (know thy enemy and all).
1 posted on 04/30/2010 5:07:53 AM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley

“Faith leader” is a strange term


2 posted on 04/30/2010 5:09:10 AM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com << Get your science fiction and fiction test marketed)
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To: markomalley

My leaders signed letters taking the other position - twenty centuries ago. I’ll stick with their words, unless I hear otherwise from the One with the authority to change scripture.


3 posted on 04/30/2010 5:10:56 AM PDT by Pollster1 (Natural born citizen of the USA, with the birth certificate to prove it)
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To: markomalley

Do these “religious leaders” ever read the Bible?

No, seriously.


4 posted on 04/30/2010 5:11:04 AM PDT by Reagan69 (Let me know when those insurance premiums go down.)
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To: markomalley

Even the NY Times doesn’t write such awful swill as this. Vomit. They should be ashamed.


5 posted on 04/30/2010 5:12:36 AM PDT by darkangel82 (I don't have a superiority complex, I'm just better than you.)
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To: markomalley

The usual suspects.


6 posted on 04/30/2010 5:14:24 AM PDT by iowamark
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To: markomalley
"The Supreme Court of Iowa recognized that equity and fairness is the starting point in our state's constitution,"

What about "morality?" Was there any mention of that in your constitution?

7 posted on 04/30/2010 5:15:10 AM PDT by missnry (The truth will set you free ... and drive liberals Crazy!)
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To: Reagan69

A lot of protestants there, Methodist, presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.

I thought they all read the Bible, used the Bible for their final authority...


8 posted on 04/30/2010 5:16:50 AM PDT by Judith Anne
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To: markomalley
AKA The Synagogue of Satan
9 posted on 04/30/2010 5:18:08 AM PDT by Dr. Thorne (Buy Gold and Guns Now!)
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To: Judith Anne

They do use the Bible for their final authority.
But they consider the Bible to be a “living, breathing” document that means whatever they say it means.


10 posted on 04/30/2010 5:32:07 AM PDT by UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide (NEW TAG ====> **REPEAL OR REBEL!** -- Islam Delenda Est! -- Rumble thee forth)
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To: Judith Anne
A lot of protestants there, Methodist, presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.

They aren't Protestants - they aren't even Christians. I would venture to guess that the vast majority of these impostors deny the very basic tenents of Christianity that must be believed to be even nominally considered a "Christian" (virgin birth, Deity of Christ, bodily resurrection from the dead, etc.) I hear them all the time denouncing all these things and the miracles Christ performed.

11 posted on 04/30/2010 5:32:32 AM PDT by fwdude (It is not the liberals who will destroy this country, but the "moderates.")
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To: Judith Anne
A lot of protestants there, Methodist, presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.

I thought they all read the Bible, used the Bible for their final authority...

Maybe the more Christian thing to do would be to commiserate with our fellow FReepers at how some of their leadership has gone off the deep end and to pray that God forgive and restore them.

12 posted on 04/30/2010 5:39:09 AM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: markomalley
All I know is those millstones are a b!tch .. .
13 posted on 04/30/2010 5:58:52 AM PDT by haywoodwebb (ISLAM = DEATH! . . . . Black & Humble . . .)
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To: markomalley
In IOWA? Criminey...that's where Meredith Wilson wrote the "Music Man" in which "Marian the Librarian" was chastised by the town lady frumps because she had RABELAIS, CHAUCER and BALZAC on the shelves!
14 posted on 04/30/2010 6:07:10 AM PDT by JimVT (Oh, the days of the Kerry dancing, Oh, the ring of the piper's tune)
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To: markomalley

These are almost all very liberal denominations and represent a very small percentage of so called faith leaders. Also unitarians are just liberal humanist groups and are not religious in the traditional sense.


15 posted on 04/30/2010 6:15:32 AM PDT by Maelstorm (They'll take the money you earn, take the minds of your children, and take your right to disagree.)
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To: Maelstorm

Sorry, I can’t keep track of all these spintered sects.


16 posted on 04/30/2010 6:20:57 AM PDT by Judith Anne
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To: Judith Anne

They are all liberation theologians of the social gospel, a disease that is infecting all sects within Christianity,


17 posted on 04/30/2010 6:28:30 AM PDT by DarthVader (That which supports Barack Hussein Obama must be sterilized and there are NO exceptions!)
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To: Judith Anne

A lot of protestants there, Methodist, presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.
____________________________________________________________
It’d be nice if the ELCA would drop the Lutheran name since their identity has become anything but.

They’ve seemed to have dropped the ball in the Scripture part in the Lutheran credo: Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone.


18 posted on 04/30/2010 6:28:49 AM PDT by farmer matt
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To: Maelstorm; Judith Anne
These are almost all very liberal denominations and represent a very small percentage of so called faith leaders. Also unitarians are just liberal humanist groups and are not religious in the traditional sense.

Well, it looks like a pretty even sprinkling from all the Protestant confessions. Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, Congregationalist, Baptist.

You can't just disavow them. They are there.

I mean, that would be like a Catholic trying to claim some far leftist statements made by a Cardinal Mahony or Archbishop Weakland didn't line up with the official teaching of the Church or something.

19 posted on 04/30/2010 6:35:32 AM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: markomalley

ROFL!


20 posted on 04/30/2010 6:37:10 AM PDT by Judith Anne
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