Instructions for Workshop Preregistration

Workshops

A. Transforming Our Congregations

A.1. Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New Methodists
A.2. Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influence?
A.3. The Church and Global AIDS
A.4. Evangelism for Reconciling United Methodists
A.5. Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
A.6. JUST Worship

B.1. Building An Inclusive Church Community
B.2. Bringing People Together to Make Change Happen
B.3. Ordination and Social Change
B.4. Organizing for Change in Your Annual Conference
B.5. Media Savvy in a Soundbite World
B.6. Overcoming Discrimination Through the Lens of Paolo Freire

C.1. Transcending Gender (Introduction)
C.2. Toward a Gender-Positive World (Advanced)
C.3. Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the World
C.4. Black Queer Theology
C.5. Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic? Moving from Apology to Action
C.6. Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Sexuality and Faith

D.1. Getting Our History Out of Our Closets
D.2. Think Like a Filmmaker: Using all the Senses to Strengthen your Worship
D.3. Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop
D.4. That’s So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal
D.5. "Incompatible With Christian Teaching" Film Screening and Discussion

Workshop Preregistration is now live. If you have not registered, you will have an opportunity to preregister for two workshops as part of registration.

If you have already registered, you need to preregister for the two workshops that most interest you. Detailed descriptions about each workshop are below. Once you have selected the two workshops that interest you, please log into the registration system and preregister.

Instructions for Adding Workshops to your Existing Registration:

Download and Print Instructions

Sorry if these instructions look long and complicated--it's really quite easy to do.  However, if you have any problems, you may send us a  Paper Workshop Preregistration or contact us at 773-736-5526 or convo@rmnetwork.org with your two workshop choices and we'll add them for you.

Repeat these steps for each person on your registration record.

Please note: Until you see the words, “Your registration is complete”, you are not done and your workshops are not saved.

1. Click “Register” above.
   
2. Above the email box, click link “Already Registered?"
3. Enter the email address and password you used to register for Convo and click the “Continue” button.
   [If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address and click the link “Forgot your password”. Follow the instructions and obtain your password from your email account. Return to Step 1.]
4. Find your name and click on the “Personal Information” link under Edit.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and under the title “Workshop Preregistration”, select your two workshops.
6. Click the “Continue” button.
7. At the bottom of the page, click the “Finalize” button.
8. At the bottom of the page, click the “Update My Registration” button.

When you see the words, “Your registration is complete”, you are done! You can click the button “View Registration Confirmation” and view your workshops on the “Personal” information tab.

A. Transforming Our Congregations

A.1. Rethinking Church: New Models of Missional Church for the New Methodists

Many United Methodists are longing for a simpler, more communal experience of church, one that is less about programs and buildings and more about disciplined spiritual practices and missional presence in the world. This workshop will present a vision for distinctly Wesleyan community that is emerging, missional, monastic and Methodist.

The Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath is the Bible Study Leader at Justice & Joy. She is the McCreless Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology as well as the director of the Center for the Advanced Study and Practice of Evangelism at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is an Elder in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is co-founder and pastor of The People of New Day, a new monastic community in the United Methodist tradition in Dallas.

A.2. Are We Relevant? Can the Progressive Church Have Political Influence?

This workshop will look at the agenda of a more progressively minded church and ask how it can  present a compelling case so that the American people and their elected leaders will listen. We’ll address questions such as: What is the progressive Christian Church and is it possible to agree on a central message?  Can we learn lessons from the past agenda of conservative Christian movements?  What happens when a local church puts Gospel faith into a political agenda and action plans?

The Rev. Roland Stringfellow is speaking at Justice & Joy in the plenary on Marriage Equality. Stringfellow is the Coordinator of the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations in the Bay Area of California with the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Sexuality (CLGS) on the campus of Pacific School of Religion. In 2005 he was ordained in the Metropolitan Community Church and in 2006 earned an M. Div. degree from the Pacific School of Religion with a certificate in Religion and Sexuality.

A.3. The Church and Global AIDS

The Center for Church and Global AIDS provides resources for addressing the challenges of the global HIV and AIDS pandemic and related health needs in the world through programs of awareness, education, prevention, care, and treatment. In particular, the Center challenges attitudes and actions that contribute to stigmatization and discrimination of persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. The workshop will also draw on Donald Messer’s newly-published 52 Ways to Create an AIDS-Free World.

The Rev. Dr. Don Messer, president emeritus and emeritus Henry White Warren Professor of Practical Theology at The Iliff School of Theology in Denver, is president of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS. Speaking and leading workshops has taken him to more than 30 countries around the world. He is author of 12 books including: Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis.

A.4. Evangelism for Reconciling United Methodists

At a time when our denomination proclaims open hearts, minds and doors while supporting the exclusion of GLBT persons from pews and pulpits, it becomes imperative that Reconciling United Methodist churches proclaim the Good News of God’s wide embrace. We will look at the theological basis for our work as Reconciling United Methodists, as well as practical strategies to strengthen your congregation’s evangelism ministry so that all may encounter God’s saving love and grace through Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, is co-pastor of Glide Memorial UMC, in San Francisco and Adjunct Professor in United Methodist studies at Pacific School of Religion. An elder in the California-Nevada Conference, Karen has served in campus and parish ministries in rural and urban settings on the East and West Coasts. She is the co-author of Talking About Homosexuality: A Congregational Resource (Pilgrim Press).

A.5. Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

Children and sexual orientation or gender diversity—we don’t often think of these at the same time.  Even though we want the children all around us—daughters, sons, nephews, nieces, other family members, pupils, neighbors, parishioners—to develop affirming attitudes about sexual orientation and gender difference, we often do not know how to guide them in this process. This workshop will demonstrate the importance of teaching even very young children about sexual orientation and gender diversity.  Participants will learn specific ways to model affirming attitudes about sexual orientation and gender difference with children.

Melany Burrill, a lifelong United Methodist, has a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Wesley Theological Seminary, worked for 16 years as a Director of Christian Education in a local UM church, and has been leading comprehensive sexuality education weekend workshops in churches for young people and their parents for over 25 years.  Her book, All God’s Children – Teaching Children About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, was published this spring.

A.6. JUST Worship

This workshop moves beyond simply looking at "inclusive language," to taking radical inclusion to another level. JUST Worship is rooted in the understanding that worship services are never just worship. They are a primary way that we develop and share the theologies of our communities. Worship conveys powerful messages about justice: about who we are called to be, to welcome, and to love. Rather than fearing that we will unintentionally exclude someone during worship, we will adopt a more holistic and creative frame. Instead of dealing with "issues" and "identities" only as they enter our consciousness, together we will explore (and create) specific worship practices that free us to answer joyfully the call to do justice by celebrating God’s beloved community in worship.
 
Marla Marcum is a doctoral student in ecological ethics at the Boston University School of Theology. She has taught feminist and womanist theologies, Christian social and ecological ethics, and writing. Marla is a life-long United Methodist pursuing ordination as a Deacon. Marla is co-lay leader of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries where she also serves as co-chair of the Reconciling Ministries Committee and chair of the Global Warming Task Force. She is a joyful gardener who seeks to create justice through collective living with her family of choice.
 
Sean Delmore is a doctoral student of sociology and feminist theology at the Boston University School of Theology. Blessed to call Cambridge Welcoming Ministries his local church home, Sean helps craft radically inclusive worship services and serves as the chair of the Church Council. He is the Young Adult Pastor of College Avenue UMC (Somerville, Mass.) and is pursuing ordination as a Deacon in the New England Annual Conference. Sean takes short breaks from justice-seeking to joyfully paddle his flame-colored kayak up and down the Mystic River.

B. Equipping for Social Change

B.1. Building An Inclusive Church Community

This workshop will teach the skills of one-on-ones as a primary community building tool to help people build relationships with others as they begin or continue to create a welcoming church movement.  The workshop will give a brief overview of how one on ones work, why they are key in building a welcoming church movement and offer an opportunity for people to practice doing one on ones.

Vicki Wunsch is a trainer with the Institute for Welcoming Resources, a program of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.  In this position, she trains both lay leaders and clergy in developing tools for congregations to be a welcoming place for all people.  Vicki received her Masters Degree in Instructional Design from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Divinity at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  She is currently pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ.

B.2. Bringing People Together to Make Change Happen

This workshop will teach participants key strategies in building a healthy and energized team to begin or continue to work for the inclusion of all people in our faith communities.  This workshop will offer tools and several hands-on activities to help build relationships within communities to build a welcoming church movement.

Vicki Wunsch is a trainer with the Institute for Welcoming Resources, a program of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.  In this position, she trains both lay leaders and clergy in developing tools for congregations to be a welcoming place for all people.  Vicki received her Masters Degree in Instructional Design from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Divinity at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  She is currently pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ.

B.3. Ordination and Social Change

A representative from The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry will discuss the ordination process in The United Methodist Church, answer questions, and explore with participants the variety of opportunities for clergy and professional lay ministry within the Church. Participants will also discuss changing systems from the inside out and the vital nature of clergy participation in church transformation.

Meg Lassiat

Rev. Meg Lassiat is Director of Student Ministries, Vocation, and Enlistment at the General Board of Higher Education. She plans Student Forum, Exploration and other young adult and student opportunities.

B.4. Organizing for Change in Your Annual Conference

This session will examine various models of organizing for justice and change, highlighting experiences in the Texas, Tennessee and the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conferences. We will focus on how to create justice through education, advocacy and relationship building and provide examples of activities that can be implemented to work toward full inclusion of LGBT persons in our beloved church.

Laura Young brings her experience from Breaking the Silence, an organization of clergy and laity in the Texas Conference that aspires to be a healing voice within the climate of fear and misinformation surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity and to create a welcoming atmosphere for ALL in churches. Laura  is a clergy spouse and mother of two young children in Huntsville, Texas.

Laura Rossbert brings her experience from the Baltimore/Washington Conference and Nashville Area Reconciling United Methodists; both organizations seeking full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the life of the UMC through advocacy and education. Laura worked on the Marriage Project for the Human Rights Campaign and as the Northern Virginia Field Director for Equality Virginia in 2006. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her partner Brian.

B.5. Media Savvy in a Soundbite World

Do you wonder how some groups have all the luck when it comes to media? Do you wonder why you can’t get your story in the news? It’s not luck, it is media savvy—and it can be learned. Whether you are a newbie or are a media maven, ramp up your skills! You and your organization can become the “go to” people for journalists in your area. Come learn about effective media engagement for LGBT faith groups through clear messages, media interviews, letters to the editor, relationships with journalists and digital media.

Ann Craig is Director of Religion, Faith & Values at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where she works with dozens of groups in diverse faith traditions to empower them to engage the media effectively as they work for equality for LGBT people. Ann served more than two decades as an executive in the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and Women’s Division. Ann was President of New York Methodist Federation for Social Action, was co-convener of Affirmation National Council, and co-founder of the Gay-Straight Coalition at Yale Divinity School.

B.6. Overcoming Discrimination Through the Lens of Paolo Freire

This workshop will explore the concepts of discrimination and exclusion through the methodology of renowned Brazilian educator Paolo Freire (author of Pedadogy of the Oppressed).  Participants will be guided in exercises of reflection–utilizing cards, photos, newspapers–to  reconstruct the ideas of inclusion, diversity and community. The underlying focus is on the transformative process of moving persons from mental structures of discrimination, i.e., seeing differences as danger, toward an openness to diversity as exemplified in the richness of Creation.

The Rev. Araceli Ezzati will be speaking at Justice & Joy during the plenary session on Global Connections. She is a duly credentialed pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church and the Methodist Church of Uruguay. After receiving a Master’s degree in education and theology from Seminario Menonita of Theology in Montevideo, she did graduate studies at the ISEDET in Buenos Aires. There she studied pedagogy with Professor Paolo Freire and subsequently became a globally-recognized trainer and speaker on Freire’s educational methodologies.

C. Engaging Intersections: Towards Wholeness

C.1. Transcending Gender (Introduction)

What is gender? What is sex? Are they the same thing? Is male the same thing as masculine? Is everyone male or female, or are there in-betweens? What does transgender mean? Can people move between one gender and another? Explore the diversity of sex and gender in this participative workshop. Questions and discussion are encouraged, and we'll even play a game.

Sally Sparks is a member of Dumbarton UMC in Washington, DC. An engineer by training, Sally spent her career helping government agencies effectively use technology. The real challenge was getting disparate groups of people with their own agendas to work together. She carries this spirit as a board member of RMN and in conducting workshops on gender diversity and transgender education to various groups, including city governments, mental health workers, employee assistance programs, schools, and churches.

C.2. Toward a Gender-Positive World (Advanced)

Through scenarios and stories, participants in the workshop will come away understanding obstacles that various transgender people face in society, in churches, and sometimes among LGB allies. We will discuss tools and resources that move beyond trans education for our communities, to the transformation of systems in those communities. This is a great moment in history for trans leadership, and we need folks working with us as we face legal, financial, medical, and political challenges.

The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. As a pastor he has served the Denver Inner City Parish, Minneapolis’ Plymouth Congregational Church, and the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns. As a transgender man he has traveled widely to speak at churches, colleges and seminaries related to the 2005 documentary film Call Me Malcolm. Malcolm's work is focused on the transformation and wholeness of Christian communities across society’s dividing lines.

C.3. Creating Communities of Listeners in Different Regions of the World

It’s been observed that social reality is altered when LGBT individuals establish a new gay-aware culture by creating a “community of listeners” who hear their stories. In this workshop a panel of international Justice & Joy participants will present what they believe is needed in their region of the world in order to "create a community of listeners” within the church, the family & friends, and government there.

The Rev. Stephen R. Parelli, former Baptist and now Metropolitan Community Church clergy, has served as Executive Director of Other Sheep since September 2005. He and his spouse, Jose Ortiz, have traveled in Latin America, East Africa and Southeast Asia for Other Sheep. Other Sheep is a multi-cultural, ecumenical Christian ministry working worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions by connecting people with people and people with resources.

C.4. Black Queer Theology

This workshop will explore queer theology with particular emphasis on the context of the African American queer persons. All LGBTQ persons and allies can journey together toward the objective of negotiating a space of analysis and understanding which helps cultivate a more inclusive perspective of sexual identity.

The Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. She is an elder in The United Methodist Church currently serving as Dean of Students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Lightsey’s work has been published in denominational and theological journals and her wisdom shared in panels and General Board discussions. She is mother of two adult children and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

C.5. Can People of Privilege Be Prophetic? Moving from Apology to Action

This workshop will focus on understanding and identifying areas of privilege in our own lives as well as the times when we have felt the pain of exclusion. Building on our experiences, we will work to create models for action that involve being in solidarity and partnership. Together we will examine how one advocates for justice from a position of privilege and the things that hold us back.

The Rev. Amy Stapleton has been the National Field Organizer for the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) since 2001. In that capacity, she works with United Methodists across the country to put their faith into action to address injustices in our denomination and world. An ordained elder in the Rocky Mountain Conference, prior to working with MFSA, Amy was a hospital chaplain, campus minister and served on staff of urban churches in Denver, Colorado.

C.6. Sacred Worth: Integrating Our Sexuality and Faith

Where do conversations about sexuality and faith intersect? How can we be comfortable with our own sexuality, in order to help others feel comfortable about their own? During our time together, we will discuss what it means to overcome the body/spirit divide, to be sexually expressive in ways that foster positive human relationships, and share ways in which we can embody an integrated body-spirit ethic in our relationships, in our prayer and worship, and in the ways in which we seek justice.

Chett Pritchett, as an openly gay man, seminary graduate, and advocate for LGBTQ persons and young adults in the life of the United Methodist Church, has presented workshops about human sexuality for campus ministries, local congregations, and the General Board of Church and Society’s Ethnic Young Adult program. He is a member of Dumbarton UMC in Washington, D.C.

D. Arts & Storytelling

D.1. Getting Our History Out of Our Closets

History is written from the perspective of those who preserve their records, therefore, LGBT religious groups must ensure that the papers we have stored in our files and boxes get into an archive. The LGBT Religious Archives Network (LGBT-RAN) is a unique digitally-based resource that assists LGBT religious leaders and groups in preserving their records. This workshop will present ways you can collaborate with LGBT-RAN so that our voices and stories are preserved for future generations.

Mark Bowman is coordinator of the LGBT Religious Archives Network, a program of the Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry in Berkeley, California. He began as a gay religious activist thirty years ago in United Methodist and ecumenical welcoming church movements–and now is committed to the remembering of our rich and profound history.  He lives in Chicago and also works as an enlivener of worship and music.

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D.2. Think Like a Filmmaker:  Using all the Senses to Strengthen your Worship

Too often vital messages are lost in unmemorable expressions.  This workshop is based on Marcia’s latest research in making worship meaningful and memorable.  Insights from filmmakers–from soundtracks to editing–help worship planners and leaders utilize some of the best storytelling techniques to strengthen progressive messages of justice and joy!

Dr. Marcia McFee is the Worship Co-Leader at Justice & Joy.  She is an author, worship designer and leader, professor, preacher and artist. She combines her background and experience in professional companies of music, theater and dance with a variety of worship and preaching styles in order to bring a fresh experience of the Gospel to each worship setting.  She travels extensively in order to teach regional workshops that are accessible to congregational leaders and worship teams. Additionally, Marcia has begun a program of continuing education events in her home town of Lake Tahoe and an on-line subscription to season worship design help.

D.3. Conversations with a Reconciling Bishop

Bishop Daniel Arichea will share some experiences of his own family and the role of the church and faith in the development of his perspectives on LGBT persons. These experiences include being on the Council of Bishops since 1995 and teaching a course on The Bible and Human Sexuality at Union Theological Seminary in Manila and the responses of students there.  Participants are encouraged to come with questions and be prepared to engage in the conversation.

The Rev. Dr. Daniel Arichea is speaking at Justice & Joy in the plenary on Global Connections. He served as the United Methodist bishop in The Philippines from 1994 to 2000. Prior to that, he worked for the United Bible Societies as a translation consultant in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

D.4. That’s So Gay! The Bible and United Methodist Hymnal

God’s call for inclusion of all people comes in the words of the Gospel. Of course the Bible and the UM Hymnal are sources of inspiration to many people in following this call. However, their message is muted when forced through a heterosexual-privileged lens. This workshop will explore some favorite texts and hymns–ones that give me renewed spirit as a lesbian Christian on the journey toward a Reconciling UMC. Sometimes it is a word such as “rainbow” or “home”,  other times it may be the theology of Advent or Shalom that causes me to say, “This hymn was written for gay people!” Come to sing and to enjoy!

Sue Laurie was a high school math teacher and basketball coach when she experienced a call to ordained ministry. She earned a Master of Divinity in 1995, but has been denied ordination because she is openly lesbian. She has stood with many Reconciling UMs before the United Methodist Church at local church, seminary, Annual Conferences and General Conference seeking authentic welcome for LGBT Christians. She appreciates the people and the many blessings she has enjoyed while serving as an Outreach staff member for RMN since 2001. She lives with her partner, Julie,  who she met at Bible Study at her local UMC in 1982.

D.5. "Incompatible With Christian Teaching" Film Screening and Discussion

Since the adoption of the "incompatibility clause" at the 1972 General Conference, GLBT advocates and allies have fought for the full participation of all people in the United Methodist church. This documentary work-in-progress focuses on the personal stories of United Methodists who have dissented from the church's policy on homosexuality, including clergy, parents and LGBT persons. 

Anne P. Brown, a member of Metropolitan Memorial UMC in Washington, DC, has produced eight narrative and three documentary shorts. She is currently working on a documentary short, 5020 Cathedral Avenue, which focuses on the extraordinary contributions of gay rights pioneer, Frank Kameny.  Incompatible With Christian Teaching is Brown's first documentary feature.