Can we talk? Straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons of faith: talking, listening, and learning together. Sit down and join us for CoFFI. CoFFI is here to help facilitate dialogue within and among communities of faith in Alabama about the needs and roles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. CoFFI's role is to help raise awareness among people of faith and to assist them in their search to find ways to serve these children of God. We can love even when we may not understand. We can respect even when we may not agree. Let CoFFI help you and your faith community to just . . .talk.

Our Organizer/Facilitator is Rev. Ruth Vann Lillian. A Birmingham native, she received her B.A. in English from Birmingham-Southern College and her M.A.Ed. in counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In Denver she received her M.Div. from the Iliff School of Theology, and was ordained in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1994 where she served as a pastor for 13 years. Ruth and her husband have two wonderful young sons. She is also the daughter of former Birmingham mayor, David J. Vann, a long-time mediator in the struggle for human rights, who taught her a great deal about faith and full inclusion of all God's children. Ruth is available to consult with both clergy and laity, and to preach, lead worship, teach classes, lead studies, provide resource materials and in any other useful way facilitate dialogue on the inclusion of the LGBT community within our faith gatherings. Contact Information: email: coffi@bellsouth.net. Phone: (205) 233-1779 Address: P.O. Box 130457 Birmingham, AL 35213-0457 We also need volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors, to help with communications, news letters, leading small gatherings, data entry,web site management and more. E-mail us if you can help: coffi@bellsouth.net