This is my last blog entry on Still Small Voice. As of today, I leave the employment of Mother Courant, after 26 years (Jaysus! Just typing that makes me hack up a hairball), two months, and 28 days (according to the human resources department).

I have issues with many aspects of social media, but the one thing I’ve enjoyed is the conversations that have grown, died, and rebirthed themselves on this blog. Thank you all for the arguments, the encouragement, the blog post ideas, and the friendship.

I am going to step away from blogging for a week or so to finish a biography on Isabella Beecher Hooker, and then maybe we can start the conversation again back where it started so long ago, at datingjesus.net. I’ll be at  susan@datingjesus.net. Don’t be a stranger.

I am leaving the Courant, but not moving out of state, and in the next little while,  hope you’ll consider coming to Charter Oak Cultural Center for the first venture of Hartford 2020, a community conversation non-profit where we’ll bring documentaries — and produce local plays — about topics that need talked about.

All events will be held at Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford’s epicenter of cool.

On June 5, we’re partnering with the center, and Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association to bring in the documentary, “Hot Coffee,” with the director Susan Saladoff there to talk about her work. You just may leave the evening with your definition of “frivolous lawsuit” revamped.

The documentary will start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5, and I hope to see you there.

The wave of lawsuits filed this week by more than 40 Catholic groups against the Obama administration’s birth control mandate was meant as a demonstration of church unity and influence in the face of what some bishops see as a grave threat to the church’s very existence.

But the strategy has also exposed serious fault lines within the U.S. hierarchy, as some leaders are privately and even openly questioning the legal and political ramifications of the bishops’ latest battle with the White House.

From the comments below, Sharon found this, information about Catholics who are leaving the fold. Thanks for that, Sharon.

Make a donation to your favorite LGBT advocacy group in the pastor’s name. You can find out more here.

And thanks, Kim, for the link.

C-SPAN is live-streaming the National Religious Freedom Conference here.

You can expect the health care mandate for employers to provide coverage for contraceptives to come up at some point.

For more on this myth, go here.

Turns out, Bennett says Obama’s in, so it’s all good. Now can we let the whole birther thing go? Please?

And thanks, DickG., for the link.

Sign up! Come heckle! But come sign up!

One publication called it a “mega-lawsuit.”

Your thoughts?

And thanks, Leftover, for the link.

Most observant Muslims fast during Ramadan. This could be an issue.

(The first part was held last Wednesday, and if you enjoyed yourself or if you enjoy yourself on Wednesday, thank Homa Naficy, the series’ organizer.)

This segment starts at 6 p.m. with a panel on Islam’s image in the U.S. Join the discussion with Dr. M. Reza Mansoor, founding member of Muslim Coalition of CT; Kareem W. Shora, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security; frequent Still Small Voice contributor Rabia Chaudry, Safe Nation Collaborative president, and Mongi Dhaouadi, executive director of Council of American Islamic Relations – CT Chapter.

Immediately after, you can watch “Amreeka.”

See you there.

On Monday, he won the Democratic endorsement to try to get his old  seat back.

Not everyone was pleased. Some were pretty bemused.

Asked for a comment yesterday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said

It’s a local issue, first and foremost. I did read about it. I would urge, as I would in every election, that voters take into consideration all of the abilities of the people that they have to choose from. It looks like there may be three names on the ballot. And so I think the people of Bridgeport have a decision to make.

I have to say to you that I’ve long been an advocate of a second-chance society. As a prosecutor, as a governor, as a mayor I’ve advocated for second chances. But ultimately in the political arena that’s a decision for the public to make.

Here’s a great explainer as to why he’s allowed to run, but for our purposes — and politics aside (meaning don’t give him a pass if you’re a Democrat, too): Is it time to forgive Ernie? Or are there some political crimes too ignorant to forget?

Although there was a big stimulus bill under Obama, federal spending is rising at the slowest pace since Dwight Eisenhower brought the Korean War to an end in the 1950s.

Even hapless Herbert Hoover managed to increase spending more than Obama has.

You can read more here.

And then, in Missouri, some Baptist pastors decided they didn’t want to play in a softball league that allowed a bisexual participant, a UCC minister — who found support elsewhere.

And thanks, Lois, for the link.

(According to this, every county in Connecticut saw an increase in poverty, and only Tolland just a slight increase. Look at Windham County: 3.3 percent.)

But this is not the first time they’ve come out in favor of marriage equality.

In 2011, the NAACP condemned North Carolina’s anti-gay marriage amendment,  which passed earlier this month.

In 2008, NAACP chairman Julian Bond spoke out in favor of marriage equality.

(The first part was held last Wednesday, and if you enjoyed yourself or if you enjoy yourself on Wednesday, thank Homa Naficy, the series’ organizer.)

This segment starts at 6 p.m. with a panel on Islam’s image in the U.S. Join the discussion with Dr. M. Reza Mansoor, founding member of Muslim Coalition of CT; Kareem W. Shora, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security; frequent Still Small Voice contributor Rabia Chaudry, Safe Nation Collaborative president, and Mongi Dhaouadi, executive director of Council of American Islamic Relations – CT Chapter.

Immediately after, you can watch “Amreeka.”

See you there.