Workshops
Here are some initial workshops. More will be listed as they are confirmed.
NEW Ally Building
Anyone can be an ally. However, being an effective ally is a skill — honing that skill requires instruction and practice. This workshop will utilize the Pacific Violence Prevention Institute’s proprietary “Three Motivations for Violent and Prejudiced Behavior Model” to teach participants skills that will help them become more effective allies in all situations. Jonathan Berry is the Executive Director of the Pacific Violence Prevention Institute in Bellingham, Washington.
A Conversation with Gene Robinson
Spend this workshop time chatting with keynote speaker and Episcopal Bishop, The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson. The bulk of this workshop will be responding to questions and engaging in conversation with workshop attendees. Ask a full range of questions: What do bishops do all day? How do you see the future of the welcoming movement in the Episcopal Church? Where did you see God in your election and confirmation as bishop? Come prepared to chat!
NEW A Conversation with John Selders
This workshop is designed to give you a chance to sample the mind of our third keynote speaker before he takes the stage. Come and hear John Selder’s topics on race, gender, sexuality and politics. Ask questions and make this workshop truly your own. After his keynote, it will be too late.
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries — Creative Ministry to, for and led by queer people
Learn how to develop creative justice ministries inside and outside of parish settings, network with other community resources and become financially sustainable. This will also be an opportunity to learn more about the ministries led by members of the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries Roster. Rev. Megan Rohrer serves the chronically homeless at the Welcome Ministry and is Director of Candidacy for Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.
Finding the U and I in Multicultural
At our 2004 biennial assembly in Minneapolis, we passed a resolution committing ourselves to greater ethnic and cultural diversity. Four years later, we not only ask ourselves how far we have traveled, we wonder if there is an even better destination. Where would we like to be, figuratively speaking, in 2010? What route will get us there? Who do we want to accompany us? This pre-assembly event, led by guest facilitators, will help us reflect on these questions with depth and joy.
God in the midst of the Storm
This workshop is a brief story of volunteerism as seen through the eyes of one pastor and congregation in the ELCA, located in Slidell, LA. Witness a pictorial description of the storm and devastation. Hear about resurrection through the Body of Christ — the continuing recovery through the hands and feet of Jesus Christ through mission partners and concerned citizens across North America. Learn where we are right now 2–3 years after the storm concerning building/rebuilding and volunteerism. Answer the call to visit and to serve in the Gulf Coast.
NEW International Forum
Interested in learning about LGBT life around the globe? Come and participate in this conversation with our international guests. Ask about what life is like for our guests, and what organizations exist to help people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This forum is moderated by Philip Moeller, Director of International Programs for Lutherans Concerned/North America.
Living Stones & Stories — Joshua 4:6–7
What are the significant and ordinary events that have shaped and defined you as an individual, a Christian and as someone who is LGBT? Baptism, beginning school, learning the Lord’s Prayer, getting a driver’s license, first date, “coming out,” reconciliation, commitment to another — all of these are turning points and memorable moments to celebrate God’s presence and be reminded of one’s full identity, straight or gay, as a child of God. Learn how to create intentional rituals and traditions for home and congregation that claim and celebrate all occasions, the remarkable and the unremarkable, as significant markers and stories in one’s journey of life and faith. Cairns and small stones, designed just for this gathering, will be introduced and utilized. Linda Staats, Director of HomeGrown Faith. Her life’s work is connecting church and home to nurture faith, regardless of one’s age, stage, generation, gender identity, or orientation. She is a co-editor and writer for the “Milestones Ministry Manual for Home & Congregation” published by The Youth & Family Institute.
The Missing Project — Re-membering the Lutheran Body of Christ
The ELCA debate on homosexuality focuses on “potential loss,” ignoring already existing loss in the lives and ministry of countless LGBT persons excluded from rostered ministry. Who’s missing? How do the numbers add up in ministry lost to the church? Hear and learn from their stories how ultimately “the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’…”
One-to-One Conversations Speed Dating Style
Faith based community organizing is built upon one to one conversations, intentional interactions that build relationships while uncovering interests and clarifying energy. Come and practice one to one conversations in a fun, quick, facilitated method, a la speed dating but without the rejection! Rev. Jen Nagel is Pastor at Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, a city church in the midst of big transformation. Jen is on the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries roster.
NEW Queer Ally Basics
Hear and see personal stories of bisexual and transgender identified Lutherans, along with a bunch of other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Get to talk to some real out bi, trans, queer, genderqueer, and otherwise– identified people willing to answer your basic questions. Learn about how to work towards a fuller anti-oppression understanding of how people may identify their genders and sexualities, and what you can do as an ally to raise awareness and reduce oppression. Share what it means to be an ally to your bi, trans, and otherwise– identified neighbors.
A “Queer” Book: Reading the Bible for LGBT Theologies
For decades LGBT Christians have been engaged in the hard work of inclusion, or the “apologetic task,” in Christian churches. This task has most often relied on refuting and/or reinterpreting the “clobber texts” of the Bible that appear to condemn “homosexuality.” Beyond apology, however, there is more to say about biblical texts that would make a positive contribution to emerging LGBT theological sensibilities. The Bible is really a “queer” book indeed, which can still provoke, shape and even transform Christian witness to the Gospel in a twenty-first century world. This workshop will consider how the queerness of the Bible itself can play a role LGBT theologies and spiritualities. The Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson is an Episcopal priest and Director of Academic Research at the Pacific School of Religion’s Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.
Renewal in RIC Congregations, Part 1
Once your church has gone through all the requisite steps to become RIC, there is an obvious question: Now What? Spend time with Kelly Fryer and Tana Kjos thinking about how the RIC process is just the first step to a renewal process for your congregation. Kelly and Tana will explore four critical, missional practices and a dynamic process that examines your congregation’s ministry, worship, evangelical outreach, and neighborhood presence for the sake of leveraging the work you did during the RIC process. This workshop is part one of two.
Renewal in RIC Congregations, Part 2
Once your church has gone through all the requisite steps to become RIC, there is an obvious question: Now What? Spend time with Kelly Fryer and Tana Kjos thinking about how the RIC process is just the first step to a renewal process for your congregation. Kelly and Tana will explore four critical, missional practices and a dynamic process that examines your congregation’s ministry, worship, evangelical outreach, and neighborhood presence for the sake of leveraging the work you did during the RIC process. This workshop is part two of two.
Sing a New Song!
A workshop with worship / song leaders Bread for the Journey who will share music that turns us toward God, each other, and love for the whole world. Come prepared to learn songs — both homegrown and from the global church — that will nurture, shape, and unite us to be people of hope and courage amidst challenging times.
Tending Hearts on Fire — Congregations Care for Couples!
In this interactive workshop we will examine the best practices and available resources for congregations developing a comprehensive enrichment ministry with couples, straight and gay, for supporting life-long, faith filled relationships. Added bonus: Incorporating the ELCA Book of Faith initiative into a “HouseHold of Faith” ministry. Dick and Linda Staats celebrated their 40th anniversary in December. Dick is a retired clergyman of an RIC congregation in Phoenix. Linda, Director of HomeGrown Faith and national consultant, has served on both congregation and synod staffs. Each has a degree in Marriage & Family Counseling and certifications in couple’s communication programs and marriage enrichment.
NEW Trans-Lutheran Activism: Liberating the Pews from Gender Conformity
How can you actively work toward gender liberation with trans people? What are some tools to actively challenge gender normativity, transphobia, and other forms of oppression that affect trans people and our communities? Learn from personal stories of trans Lutherans, art from trans people, interactive exercises, and community dialogue.
Who are our RIC Congregations?
As we try to grow the number of RIC congregations across the continent, and to assist RIC congregations in living out their RIC commitment, it is useful to learn about the characteristics of our current RIC congregations: who they are, where they are, why they are RIC. The results of one summer’s journey around Northern California and a discussion about your region. Active at First Lutheran, Palo Alto, and in the Sierra Pacific Synod for over 30 years, Joe Haletky has been Lutherans Concerned / SFBay Area RIC chair for the past six years.