Back for the eighth year . . . on Saturday, April 12, 2008

Walking the Talk of Welcome

 

A ministry of the Joint Synod Committee for Inclusivity

A half-day workshop.

 

Living out the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods’ Decision to Welcome Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) People into Our Congregations.

 

 “Walking the Talk of Welcome” is a half-day workshop for congregations looking for ways to welcome GLBT persons into worship and church life, spurred by the decisions of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Area synods to become “Reconciling in Christ.” The decisions indicate the willingness of both synods to open their doors to GLBT people, but what can individuals and local congregations do to incorporate that welcome into congregational life and decision making?

 

Participants will discuss ways to create a welcoming atmosphere within their individual congregations and strategize about actions that can be taken to illustrate that welcome.

 

Saturday, April 12, 2008

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m.)

Pilgrm Lutheran Church

1935 St. Clair Ave., MN 55105.
Directions

 

TOPICS INCLUDE:

 

• Why is welcoming GLBT people important? Why provide a “special” welcome?
• What theological, social, and moral issues are likely to surface in church discussions of homosexuality? What resources exist for addressing those issues?
• What is the “Reconciling in Christ” process? What is its effect on congregations?
• What actions can be taken to make a church’s welcome clear and visible?

 

SCHEDULE:

8:00 a.m. 
Check-in and Refreshments

 

8:30

Welcome and Opening Prayer
Panel Discussion: What’s in a Welcome?

Stories from Area Congregations

The Heart of the Matter: Issues Related to Welcoming

Overview of Resources Available to Congregations

A Biblical Perspective

Small Group Discussions and Action Plan Development

 

12:25
Closing Prayer

 

12:30 (Optional)
A detailed look at resources (inlcudes light lunch; RSVP required)

1:15 (Optional)

Facilitated Planning for Your Congregation (includes light lunch; RSVP required).

       

SPONSORED BY

The Joint Synod Committee for Inclusivity
(a committee of the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods, ELCA)

and Lutherans Concerned / Twin Cities

 

COST

$7 per individual, $15 per congregation (up to four individuals)

Additional $5 per person for lunch if you stay for the Facilitated Planning

 

REGISTRATION

Please register by March 28, 2008. Space is limited.

Please go here and print out the registration form. Please mail the form to the address provided on the form.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact us by email here.

 

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