- Tonja Gerardy
More than 250 persons attended the first joint gathering of the GLAD Alliance, the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns, and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB), meeting at the University of Indianapolis, June 26-29. Fantastic speakers, moving worship experiences, great music, lively small group discussions, and interesting workshops meant there was "something for everyone" at this one-of-a-kind event.
Unique characteristics to this event were a Tapestry choir, exhibit hall, and "Affinity Groups" (such as "Clergy," "Transgendered," and "Lesbian") where persons met for informal conversation about whatever was on their minds. Denominational groups had the opportunity to have their own gatherings/business meetings, and the leadership of the three groups met over lunch to discuss future collaborations. There was an overwhelmingly positive response from participants to the question: "should we do this again?" The only question that remains is, "how often?"
Please send in your stories/reflections of your experience at Tapestry, and visit the Tapestry website for pictures and relections on the event. You will find images of many of your GLAD friends online!
[ed note: Tonja Gerardy, GLAD Council Member and liaison to the Support and Advocacy Team, served as GLAD's representative on the Tapestry 2006 planning team. Many thanks for her good work.]
| GLAD Alliance Inc. P.O. Box 44400 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0400 |
glad@gladalliance.org | return to www.gladalliance.org |