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EventsChurch of the Brethren Annual Conference, June 26-30There are many ways to show your support of BMC at this year’s Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. Please consider each of these opportunities as you plan for your time at Annual Conference. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!
BMC Luncheon and Training BMC will be hosting a luncheon prior to Annual Conference on Friday, June 26 from 12pm-3:30pm at First Church of the Brethren, San Diego. The program will include a training for the mobile booth witness, important conversation with Womaen’s Caucus and Voices for an Open Spirit (VOS) regarding Annual Conference business, as well as time to catch up with old friends! To make your reservation, contact the BMC office or download the reservation form here before June 19. Picture Project BMC will continue to offer a picture witness of Church of the Brethren members who have experienced a deep frustration and disappointment with the Church of the Brethren because of the church’s treatment of LGBT people. If you would like to add your picture as a part of the witness, please send a digital copy to the BMC office by June 15. Mobile Witness Booths Although BMC has once again been denied booth space in the exhibit hall, we plan to make our presence known through mobile witness booths. Each booth will need two people to go to a designated place in the conference center, set up a card table and display materials, and engage others in conversation about BMC and the purpose of the witness. Each of you will be given some training on what to say, and how to respond to questions and concerns. If you are interested, it is recommended that you also attend the luncheon. The 90 minute time slots to which you can commit are listed here. Please contact the BMC office at bmc@bmclgbt or 612-343-2060 before Annual Conference if you are willing to be a witness for justice in this way. Womaen’s Caucus and Voices for an Open Spirit (VOS) are also planning events throughout the conference. Please also consider these opportunities as well! Please contact the BMC office if you wish to participate in any of these activities or if you have additional questions or comments. Welcoming Church Trainings - Toward a More Welcoming and Inclusive ChurchA Training Resource for Congregations Affiliated with:
Perhaps you are a leader (lay or ordained) in a congregation which is considering becoming welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (lgbt) persons. Perhaps you are committed deeply to helping other congregations in your denomination become more welcoming of lgbt folks. Either scenario means that this training will be very helpful to you in honing your skills and gaining more knowledge about how to help congregations through those tough conversations toward a more fully inclusive church. What to expect from this training? The training has been designed specifically with congregations and their leaders in mind. We will explore topics which will help you to become a more effective leader in working with congregations on issues related to human sexuality and gender identity for the purpose of helping a congregation discern God's call to become more welcoming and inclusive, particularly of lgbt persons. Topics include:
Who should come? Anyone who is interested in seeing the Church (meaning all churches) become more welcoming, supportive and inclusive of lgbt persons. This could include:
The training is supported by a grant from the Arcus Foundation to a coalition of the Affirming Disciples Alliance Inc. (GLAD - Christian Church: Disciples of Christ); Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB - American Baptist Convention & Alliance of Baptists); Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Interests (BMC); and Welcoming Community Network (WCN - Community of Christ). However, anyone from another denomination is welcome.
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