Building an Inclusive Church
Faith-Based Community Organizing
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.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
August 20-21, 2010 — Indianapolis, IN+
- Training Flyer (pdf)
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online
- Register & Pay by Mail
September 10-12, 2010 — Holland, MI*
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online
- Register & Pay by Mail
September 24-25, 2010 — Seattle, WA+
- Information Flier (pdf)
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online
- Register & Pay by Mail
October 29-30, 2010 — Boston, MA+
- Information Flier (pdf) - Coming Soon
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online - Coming Soon
- Register & Pay by Mail
November 5-6, 2010 — Orange, CA+
- Information Flier (pdf)
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online
- Register & Pay by Mail
November 5-7, 2010 — Chicago, IL*
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online
- Register & Pay by Mail
November 12-13, 2010 — Houston, TX*
November 19-20, 2010 — Lawrence, KS+
- Information Flier (pdf) - Coming Soon
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online - Coming Soon
- Register & Pay by Mail
November 19-21, 2010 — Philadelphia, PA*
December 10-11, 2010 — Harrisonburg, Virginia+
- Information Flier (pdf) - Coming Soon
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online - Coming Soon
- Register & Pay by Mail
December 10-12, 2010 — New York, NY*
- Information Packet (pdf) - Coming soon
- Register & Pay Online
- Register & Pay by Mail
Watch for more trainings to be scheduled in 2010!
* These training workshops are targeted to congregations affiliated with: The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, but anyone from any denomination or church is welcome.
+ These training workshops are targeted to congregations affiliated with: Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Community of Christ, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada, but anyone from any denomination or church is welcome.
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
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
These training programs are supported by grants from the Arcus Foundation, the E. Rhodes & Leona Carpenter Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.
Training Schedule
For a schedule for each workshop, see the information packet for each training which can be linked to above.
What does the training cost?
For registration fees and what is included in the fee, see the information packet for each training which can be linked to above.
Lodging
Specific information on hotels near each training site can be found in the information packet for that specific training which can be linked to above.
Participants are responsible for making their own housing reservations.
Other Housing Options
Limited host housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Every effort to assist with transportation to and from the church will be made, but cannot be guaranteed.
Participants requesting host housing should check the box on the registration form indicating that request.
Travel
Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Airports closest to the training location are listed in each registration packet which can be linked to above.
Training Location
The training events are usually held at a church. The location is included in the registration packet. The street address and web site, if available, is also included.
Meals
Information on the meals included in each training workshop is provided in the information packet. Please note on the registration form if you have any food allergies/restrictions or if you need vegetarian or vegan options.
Registration
How do I register?
You may either follow the weblinks above to register and pay online or you may download and print a copy of the registration packet for the training event you wish to attend. Links for the registration packet for each training workshop are located at beginning of this page under each training date and location.
If you are registering by postal mail, please follow the instructions at the bottom of each registration form and make your check payable as listed on the form, as well.
Registration Confirmation
You will receive a registration confirmation e-mail (make sure you give us an e-mail address) or regular mail (if you do not have e-mail access).
Training Staff
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The Rev. Wes Jamison is the National Field Organizer working with the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB), Gay & Lesbian Affirming Disciples (GLAD), the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC), and the Welcoming Community Network (WCN). Hailing from a rural farming community the mountains of Southwestern Virginia, Wes brings years of work as a pastor, social worker, and community organizer to his work as the National Field Organizer for the Arcus grant partners. He holds a B.A. in Religion and Journalism with honors from Milligan College and an M.Div. from Emmanuel School of Religion, both located near Johnson City, Tennessee. Wes was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia in 2005 and was later granted ordained ministerial partner standing by the United Church of Christ. He has served congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the United Church of Christ in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Michigan. Most recently he has served as a social worker with at-risk youth and their families with a non-profit social services agency in the New River Valley of Virginia, where he lives on a farm with his family. He received his formal training as a community organizer with the Obama for America/Organizing for America campaign in Virginia in 2008. He is a member of a local congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and currently services on the Renewal and Nurture Committee/Transformation Team for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia and chairs the Open and Affirming Ministries Program for the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance (GLAD). Wes is involved with numerous social service and justice advocacy groups. |
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The Rev. Vicki Wunsch has worked in both non profit organizations and churches for the last 15 years. In addition to her position as An IWR trainer, she is a trainer with Family and Children's Services in Minneapolis. In this position, Vicki works with schools, non profits and faith communities in helping communities support families and parents. Vicki's experience has included facilitating a wide variety of workshops and trainings for churches. Topics have included “Building Strengths and Assets in our Church Family,” “Developing Family Prayer Practices,” “Faith Communities responding to Immigration,” “Creating and Implementing an Intergenerational Social Justice Program,” “All are Welcome: Building an Inclusive Church Community,” “Fostering Children’s Spiritual Development,” and “Celebrating Family Traditions.” Vicki received her Masters Degree in Training and Instructional Design from the University of Minnesota and focused her thesis on “Building Community through Education in our Faith Communities.” Vicki recently received her Masters of Divinity at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. She is also co-authoring a book entitled Reclaiming our History: Finding the Community in our Faith Communities. |
What Else Do I Need to Know?
- Dress is casual.
- Come rested and ready for a wonderful and intense experience!
Questions??
For questions or more information, contact David Lohman by email or 612.821.4397.
