- from David Downing, Moderator, GLAD PSWR
The GLAD-PSWR Chapter hosted a Spring gathering, along with friends from the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns, on Saturday, April 26th. The event was attended by 65 persons from across the PSW Region and the Southern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. The gathering was held at Church of the Foothills (DOC/UCC) in North Tustin, CA.
The evening event began at 5:00 p.m. with a fun “get acquainted” time, led by Larry Hixon and was followed by a wonderful Italian dinner prepared by the members of Church of the Foothills. The Church of the Valley Players from the Van Nuys, CA, congregation, provided a time of Improv Comedy which kept the audience laughing for over 45 minutes! The Rev. Madison Shockley, pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church (UCC), Carlsbad, CA, was the featured Keynote Speaker and was introduced by Rev. Mildred Butler pastor of United Christian Church, Los Angeles, CA. Rev. Shockley spoke on the theme “Connecting the Disconnect.” Following his presentation Linda Gardner, who serves on the GLAD Alliance Council, led an opportunity for dialogue around tables. Each table dealt with a question regarding how the organizations represented could make connections with persons with whom there is a current “disconnect.” The Keynote presentation was an inspirational call to action and a challenge to seek the connections needed for continued dialogue and conversation!
Questions discussed included: (1) How does a congregation move from an acceptance of the “sameness” of all persons to embracing the “differences” that makes diversity more meaningful?; (2) How do we connect the disconnect between ourselves and the various minority groups within the Region/Conference? (African-American, Hispanic, Asian and “outside” LGBT individuals); (3) How can we encourage congregations who consider themselves to be “Open and Affirming,” but have never actually taken official action, to make that decision and live it out?; and (4) How can we help congregations deal with the issues surrounding LGBT inclusiveness without setting them up for feeling that they may not be accepted and appreciated if they cannot agree to become “O&A” congregations or at least struggle to understand the issues? The dialogue around the tables was lively and exciting! Each group then shared one key point from their time of discussion and conversation.
The evening was closed with a meditation given by Rev. Michael Holland, pastor of Church of the Foothills.
| GLAD Alliance Inc.c. P.O. Box 44400 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0400 |
glad@gladalliance.org | return to www.gladalliance.org |