“Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.”
ONA WEBINAR – ONA AND THE BIBLE
Just seven verses in the Bible are sometimes an obstacle for congregations on their journey towards an Open and Affirming covenant. But there are more than 31,000 verses in the Bible! What does the Bible teach about our relationships with God and each other? And how should you respond when members of your church have questions about the seven verses often used to condemn same-sex relationships?
If more than one participant is sharing one computer (or watching one screen), you can register as a group and save!
1-3 participants: $30
4-6 participants: $60
7+ participants: $90
Learn more – and register for – this online ONA webinar
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
God, the Garden, and Gays: Homosexuality in Genesis (Queer Theology)
If we’re going to dive into scripture and try to make sense of what it means for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, Genesis is as a good of a place as any to begin!
Watch this free on-demand webinar from Queer Theology.
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Sex, Bodies, Spirit – The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 3)
This is part of an ongoing informational and discussion series by Metropolitan Community Churches that advance this topic among clergy and churches from any denomination. All are invited to attend!
Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Malachi Grennell are the authors of an exciting blog about sex, bodies, and spirit (sexbodiessspirit.net), and they are bringing their passion and expertise to a monthly gathering on Adobe Connect that will address issues of sex and spirit, in order to further advance this concern and educate all of us around the ongoing need for our churches.
Watch the Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christian Part 3
Sex, Bodies, Spirit – The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 2)
This is part of an ongoing informational and discussion series by Metropolitan Community Churches that advance this topic among clergy and churches from any denomination. All are invited to attend!
Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Malachi Grennell are the authors of an exciting blog about sex, bodies, and spirit (sexbodiessspirit.net), and they are bringing their passion and expertise to a monthly gathering on Adobe Connect that will address issues of sex and spirit, in order to further advance this concern and educate all of us around the ongoing need for our churches.
Watch the Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 2)
Sex, Bodies, Spirit (Metropolitan Community Churches)
Over the past year, MCC has witnessed a renewal regarding the intersection of sexuality and spirituality. First, they enjoyed the online symposium in fall 2015, followed by monthly discussions, and then they experienced a stimulating workshop at the MCC General Conference 2016.
They are now delighted to announce an ongoing informational and discussion series that will advance this topic among clergy and churches from any denomination. All are invited to attend!
This is also opportunity for MCC clergy to fulfill the continuing education requirement for annual licensure.
Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Malachi Grennell are the authors of an exciting blog about sex, bodies, and spirit (sexbodiessspirit.net), and they are bringing their passion and expertise to a monthly gathering on Adobe Connect that will address issues of sex and spirit, in order to further advance this concern and educate all of us around the ongoing need for our churches.
The group will meet on the third Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern Time (generally 7:00 – 8:00 pm UTC), and will qualify for continuing education credits for MCC clergy (.5 units per session).
This is open to all people, whether clergy or lay. This opportunity is offered free of charge.
View past sessions on-demand:
August 2016: The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 1)
September 2016: The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 2)
October 2016: The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 3)
January 2017: Sacred, Not Secret (Part 3): Beyond the Norm (Kink/BDSM)
February 2017: Sacred, Not Secret (Part 4): Non-Monogamy
Celebrating Gender Diversity (United Church of Canada)
Trans* people face many barriers in society—barriers that are often present in the church as well.
Through this webinar, learn more about the lived experience of trans and genderqueer people in the United Church of Canada by listening to and learning from the experience of trans people of faith.
* Trans refers to a person who has a gender identity that is different from the gender they were assigned at birth, and/or expresses their gender in ways that differ from societal expectations. Trans is often used as a substitute for transgender, to include people of a variety of gender identities (such as genderqueer).
Genderqueer is someone who does not necessarily identify as a man or a woman, may identify as both a man and a woman, or identifies outside the confines of traditional Western ideas of gender.
Register for this Christian on-demand webinar from United Church of Canada.
NOTE: To view this course, click on the link above. Then click on the “Buy Now” button. On the following page click on “Checkout Now.” If the course has a cost you’ll be directed to pay via PayPal. If the course is free, it will take some time for the information to load after clicking on “Checkout Now” (up to a minute or so). When you see an order confirmation page, click on the link under “You may track the latest status of your order(s) here:” You’ll be taken to a new page. In the “Order Information” section look for “Download.” Click on the word “Download.” An Adobe PDF file about this webinar will download onto your computer. Open the PDF file where you’ll find the actual link to watch the free on-demand webinar. Adobe Connect is required to view the webinar.
Upcoming Webinars & Other Recordings
For the schedule of upcoming EDGE webinars, please check http://www.edge-ucc.ca/ webinars for more information. You can see our full listing of recorded webinars available for free and purchase at http://www.edge-ucc.ca/store.
Troubleshooting
If you have any problems accessing the webinar recording, please try the following:
- try opening the URL in a different web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.) You may need to copy the link and paste it into the different browser.
- run this test to ensure your computer is running the necessary software to show the webinar: https://na1cps.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
What Has Ferguson to do With Faith? (Metropolitan Community Churches)
What Has Ferguson to do With Faith?
Developing Queer Theological Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
This webinar presented a multi-modal approach to showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and transgender people of color using sermons, letters, prayers, and litanies as well as petitions and bible/book studies that reinforce prophetic social action in the streets. Participants were invited to look at the potential ways that social action and public protest can be integrated into their current spiritual disciplines to raise consciousness about the black body.
Lead by:
Rev. DeWayne L. Davis
Kareem D. Murphy
Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin
Watch this free on-demand video now!
Rev. DeWayne L. Davis, Senior Pastor of All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church, is a cleric ordained in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) with expertise in social justice analysis, advocacy, and organizing. He serves on the MCC Global Justice Institute’s Public Policy Team, representing the denomination’s public policy advocacy initiatives at the state and federal level. He previously served as Assistant Project Manager of MCC’s 25th General Conference worship team in 2013 and as the Program Coordinator for MCC’s 2011 People of African Descent (PAD) Conference, designing and organizing workshops and continuing education opportunities for lay and clergy. Rev. Davis previously served as the Domestic Policy Analyst in The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations where he represented before the U.S. Congress and the Executive Office of the President the domestic social policies established by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention and Executive Council.
Rev. Davis’s career as a Congressional aide and government affairs representative preceded his studies for professional ministry, to which he was ordained in 2012. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Philosophy from Howard University and an M.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland at College Park. Rev. Davis received his Master of Divinity degree with honors from the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He has more recently been appointed to serve on the Advisory Committee of the Kaleo Center at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and on the Board of Directors of Clare Housing.
Rev. Davis currently lives in Minneapolis with his husband of twenty-four years, Kareem.
PLEASE NOTE:
In order to see video of the presentation on the following webinars, attendees will need access to a computer and a fast internet connection. Some webinars will use audio through Adobe and others will utilize a telephone conference line. Participants will be sent log-in information prior to each event, which will include instructions about audio/video requirements. Please take a moment to Download & Review Instructions on using Adobe Connect, and on the conversation protocol that we will be using for audio interaction.
Multicultural Ministry with Children (Unitarian Universalist Association)
This webinar will offer food for thought for religious professionals wondering how to affirm the worth and dignity of families and individuals from marginalized groups as well as tips for assessing curriculum and other classroom resources for their multicultural sensibility.
Presented by Patricia Infante, CERG Faith Development Consultant with guest presenters.
Learn more about this course and register (free login/account required to view materials)
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Creating Welcoming Multicultural UU Communities (Unitarian Universalist Association)
Fulfilling the affirmation and promise of the second principle requires that we attend carefully to systems of injustice in our midst and the hurts those systems cause. It requires that we be prophets, daring to work in this life for a Now that gets us closer to fulfilling the promise of our sixth principle: the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Dismantling systems of privilege and oppression within our community faith allows us to co-create the Beloved Community of Love and Justice that we aspire to.
Dean: Rev. Alicia Forde, Program Coordinator for Multiracial Congregations, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Learn more about this course and register (free login/account required)
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Reading Queerly (Queer Theology)
We want to take a year of doing this course–and our decades of faith-based LGBTQ work–and distill it down to the basics for you. If you’re looking to reconcile your faith with your queerness (or the queerness of your friends and family), we made this for you. If you’ve got the “acceptance” part down and are ready to dive deeper, to further explore how faith and LGBTQ experiences and issues can enrich each other, we made this for you. And if you’re looking to do that alongside others who know, understand, respect, and support you, we made this for you.
Best of all, this three-part Reading Queerly mini-course is free. Here’s why we made it and what you’ll learn:
- the four types of queer theology
- how to deconstruct oppressive and unhelpful Christian theology and begin to reconcile queerness and Christianity
- how to cultivate a life-giving, powerful Christian faith that is radically inclusive
Learn more about this course and register on Queer Theology