Events

Mennonite Church Canada Assembly

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Church of the Brethren Annual Conference

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Church of the Brethren National Older Adult Conference

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Many Stories, One Voice

This September, more than twenty-five ecumenical LGBT groups are joining together for this conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The goals of the event are personal transformation, intersectionality, and concrete skills-building.  Speakers include Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre, Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, Rev. Dr. Horace Griffin, and Rev. Dr. Erin Swenson.

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Welcoming Church Trainings - Toward a More Welcoming and Inclusive Church

A Training Resource for Congregations Affiliated with:

• Alliance of Baptists
• American Baptist Convention
• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Church of the Brethren
• Community of Christ
• Mennonite Church USA
• Mennonite Church Canada

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:

• Faith-based community organizing techniques
• Congregational conflict theory and resolution
• Managing change in congregations well
• Effective strategies for helping congregations discern the call to be welcoming
• Building relationships for change
• Dealing with difficult conversations around biblical material, stereotypes, the "b" and the "t" questions, and other areas of concern
• Opportunity to build relationships with others who share your concerns
• Personal spiritual enrichment
• Opportunity for growth and challenge
• Intense few days of hard work, laughter, and fun
• Good food

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:

• Lay leaders
• Ordained leaders
• Denominational or judicatory leaders
• Members who care about these issues
• Leaders and members in denominational lgbt groups

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.

BMC Gathering

We are very excited about this year's BMC Convention!  For starters, due to the nature of what the convention has always turned out to be, we have renamed it the BMC Gathering, which seems more true to its nature.  In the past, what seems to bring BMCers together the most is storytelling, singing, and playing games together, all of which will be found at the 2008 BMC Gathering.

The theme this year is "Exploring Your Creative Spirit!"   We will have more free time and less workshops; focusing on our creative energy, be it corporate or individual.  Canadian born singer/songwriter Ferron will lead a day long poetry writing workshop, as well as perform in concert.  Two or three shorter workshops will be offered as well, possibly focusing on spiritual creativity, creativity in the workplace, and creative money management.   In these workshops we will hear from fellow BMCers, as well as from others who have close connections to BMC.  Some of our results will then be shared with the entire group Sunday morning.  And yes, we will once again have the infamous BMC auction. 

The Gathering will take place at the Potawatomi Inn in Pokagon State Park near Angola, IN.  This beautiful park encompasses over 1200 acres of woods near Lake James and offers miles of hiking trails, interesting birding, boating, and horseback riding. 

In an endeavor to keep attendee costs down, we are working at finding major sponsorships, so that fees will not be a factor in determining whether or not you will be able to attend the Gathering.  Please let me know if you have connections to a company or individual who would be able to help underwrite the event. 

We are quite excited about the possibilities this year, and hope you are as well!  Come explore your creative spririt with us October 10-12, 2008 in a beautiful setting with wonderful people!  Contact the BMC office if you have pre-gathering ideas to share.  More details will follow in the coming months. 

---Wilma Harder, BMC Gathering coordinator 

Web sites to peruse for more info: 

Potawatomi Inn:  http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/inn_potawatomi.html

Pokagon State Park:  http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/park_pokagon.html

Ferron: www.ferrononline.com

Ferron's retreat center: www.thefensanctuary.com