Pre-events

Movement-building pre-events will occur from 1:00 pm on July 7 until noon on July 8. These events provide opportunities to go deeper into particular aspects of the LGBTQ movement. Many of the events are for a specific population. The $50 fee includes facilitation, dinner and breakfast. Housing is one extra night.

Biblical Storytelling

Biblical storytelling is both ancient and modern — a multimedia, kinesthetic, full-bodied experience of the Word of God. We invite you to encounter this living word as it was originally proclaimed by the earliest people of faith, immersed in an oral culture in which history, tradition, and God’s promise were passed on from generation to generation. Whether as a spiritual practice, a form of prayer, or just good ol’ fashioned storytelling around the fire, come and learn how to embody Bible stories in a fresh and exciting way. In this workshop we will hear and learn sacred stories by heart, letting them dwell within us, in order to go and tell these transformative tales to others. Discover the old, old stories of Jesus and his love anew.

Difference & Privilege

Racism is a complex, often bewildering issue. Sometimes it is difficult to find safe, supportive spaces to learn about the issue and express how it affects us personally. The anti-racism event will help us sort through the complexities of racism and discern meaningful ways of addressing its personal and communal impact. This is excellent training for local and chapter leaders to receive. This pre-event is a part of LC/NA’s continuing commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization.

Couple Care (cancelled due to low registration)

A time set apart to relax, laugh, talk, listen and pray with your partner or spouse and be encouraged by others. We will identify our strengths and growth areas, model dialog and effective communication practices, and explore our calling to serve God as couples of faith. “Top Ten Faith Practices” for establishing a Household of Faith will be introduced. “Couple Care” is for all couples or partners in a committed relationship.

Dick and Linda Staats have been married for over 40 years. Dick is retired clergy of an RIC congregation in Phoenix. Linda, Director of HomeGrown Faith and national consultant, has served on both congregation and synod staffs. Each has a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and certifications in couple’s communication programs and marriage enrichment.

Ministerium

The Ministerium is an opportunity for LGBT clergy, ministers, seminarians, and would-be ministers from all rosters of the Lutheran communion to fellowship and network. LGBT ministers, both lay and ordained, rostered and non-rostered, out, partially out, closeted, active, retired, resigned, or removed from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM), Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and independent Lutheran churches are invited to attend.

Since CWA07, a number of ELCA pastors have been outed or have chosen to come out. In addition, many LGBT seminarians and seminary interns are moving through candidacy processes in the ELCA, ELM, and ELCIC. As we find our way through this chapter of the movement for full participation, it is critical that we provide places and times for mutual support and mentoring.

The retreat-style gathering will include worship, large and small group conversations, and affinity group sessions. Probable topics of conversation include: building a network of support; finding a place: to worship, to serve, to be; preaching the liberating word; called to serve: for seminarians and those considering ministry; coming out to congregations; gender identity and expression in ministry; out, proud and serving — what’s next.

Sanctuary and confidentiality will be integral to this ministerium.

Youth & Young Adult Forum

Designed for youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 22, this pre-event will gather young activists and advocates for the GLBTQ movement and give them an opportunity to meet, collaborate, and rock the Lutheran church. We will spend time in worship, leadership development, and advocacy planning.

The young people involved in this forum will have continuing contact after the pre-event, staying in community throughout Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters. They will create a community that is passionate about inclusion and translate that passion into action at the assembly and continuing back at home in their communities and congregations.

LC/NA is looking for nominations for young people to be invited to attend and be a part of this forum. If you are, or know of, a young person in the age range who would benefit from this forum, please email yoyafam@lcna.org with details. LC/NA wants to be diverse and inclusive with this invitation in every way, including regionally within North America.