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
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.
Homosexuality & the Bible: My First Time (Queer Theology)
Learn more about Homosexuality & the Bible: My First Time by Brian G. Murphy on QueerTheology.com
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.
Who are we, Really? Re-engaging Sex and Spirit (Metropolitan Community Churches)
Recordings are available of the academic paper and panel presentations. Register for ALL of the conference videos by clicking here ($100 USD total). Or, you can register for only those sessions you wish to view by clicking the links below ($20 USD each).
Opening Panel: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
Presenters: Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, Rev. Dr. Ngeo Boon Lin, Rev. Beulah Durrheim
Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes
Panel Presentation: Integrating Sexuality & Spirituality as a Paradigm for Wholeness/Wellness/Authenticity
Presenters: Marie Alford-Harkey, Dr. Xochitl Alvizo, Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Rev. Dr. Joseph Goh, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson
Runtime: 1 hour
Panel Presentation: Healing Queer Bodies and the Body of Christ
Presenters: Dr. Susannah Cornwall, Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Rev. Jakob Hero, Rev. Miller Hoffman, Dr. David Williams
Runtime: 1 hour
Paper Presentations: Deconstructing Heteronormativity
Papers include:
- “Queering the Trinity: Who’s Your Daddy?” by Rev. Daniel Borysewicz
- “Masculinity in a Frock on a Rock” by Rev. Dr. Karl Hand
- “Shoulder to Shoulder: Links Between Discrimination, LGBTQ-Based Social Support, and Psychosocial Adjustment among LGBT Youth” by Dr. Siân E. Jones
Runtime: 1 hour 13 minutes
Paper Presentations: The Margins of Our Movement – Trans*, Intersex, Gender Queer, Poly*
Papers include:
- “B-T-P: Engaging an Intersectional Frontier” by Rev. Rachelle Brown
- “A New Trans* Theology of Indecency” by Denise Burke
- “God as the Holy Polyamorous One” by Rev. Dr. Edgard Francisco Danielsen-Morales
Runtime: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Paper Presentations: Toward a Theology of the Full Body and Every Body
Papers Include:
- “Touch Me and See Me: Embodying the Erotic” by Rev. Joe Cobb
- “Wounding the Soul and Scarring the Body: A Theological and Pastoral Response to Self-Harming Behaviours” by Rev. Kate Rowley Harford
- “The Disabled Body: Part of the Body Part of Wholeness” by Theresa Inés Soto
Runtime: 1 hour
OR … REGISTER FOR ALL 6 of the VIDEO RECORDINGS FROM THIS CONFERENCE
Sexuality and Spirituality: Keeping Body and Soul Together (Metropolitan Community Churches)
We will ask and attempt to answer the questions: from where did the sex-negative ideas, feelings and beliefs come that have shaped so much of Christianity’s belief and teaching for the past 2,000 years? Was this God’s intention? Is this really what the Bible teaches? Is Jesus responsible for this? Has it always been this way? Who decides these things and if we wanted to change them how might we go about it? Join this on-demand video with Rev. Elder Ken Martin to explore these and other questions.
When you register for the pre-recorded webinars or events, you will be sent a link and password to view the video. This information is intended only for the person registering to view these events and should not be shared. In order to receive CEU credit for these webinars, we must have a record of your registration. Unless otherwise noted, each webinar will count for 1 CEU unit and fees may be involved.
Gender: The Cornerstone of Human Sexuality (Metropolitan Community Churches)
In this presentation, we explore what constitutes biological gender, gender role and gender identity. We will look at the extraordinary diversity that exists in aspects of gender previously assumed to be categorical and immutable. We will show how and why confusion about these different aspects of gender continue and how ignorance about them results in unnecessary suffering and violence. Finally, we will show the importance of keeping discussions about gender and sexual orientation separate and distinct. Join Rev. Elder Ken Martin for this engaging presentation.
When you register for the pre-recorded webinars or events, you will be sent a link and password to view the video. This information is intended only for the person registering to view these events and should not be shared. In order to receive CEU credit for these webinars, we must have a record of your registration. Unless otherwise noted, each webinar will count for 1 CEU unit and fees may be involved.
Sexuality Studies (Metropolitan Community Churches)
The Religious Institute works in collaboration with the Office of Formation and Leadership Development of Metropolitan Community and this course meets the MCC requirement for Sexuality Studies
“I have greatly enjoyed this course: the way it took on the subject honestly and openly, the resources provided, and the emphasis on self-examination and reflection. The course has made me think differently about sexuality, power, sex, communication, and so many more dimensions of working in community.” – student comment
“The introduction to church history in the course will be an invaluable jumping off spot for my further theological reflection and study.” – student comment
The course addresses an urgent need among Christian religious leaders to be well-educated in issues related to sexuality. The primary texts for the course are the Religious Institute’s A Time to Build: Creating Sexually Healthy Faith Communities by Rev. Debra W. Haffner, Professional Sexual Ethics: A Holistic Ministry Approach by Patricia Beattie Jung and Darryl Stephens, and Making Love Just by Marvin Ellison.
Topics include
- understanding personal values and history
- components of sexual identity
- sexual development
- life behaviors of a sexually healthy adult
- dealing with attraction and boundaries
- pastoral care around sexuality issues
- sexuality education in faith communities
- church history and sexuality
- scripture and sexuality
- preaching/worship
Registration and more information
The course takes approximately 30 hours to complete (plus 1 to 2 hours of reading per week), is a blend of interactive and self-directed learning, and draws on the strengths of peer learning in an online community setting. For optimal learning, students should expect to spend 3 to 5 hours per week (including reading) on the course over the 12 week session.
The course will run on the following dates:
2019
January 6-April 7
For more information & registration go to http://religiousinstitute.org/sexuality-issues-for-christian-religious-professionals/
- Sexuality Issues for Christian Religious Professionals Course Outline
- Registration fees from $125 to $200 (see registration form for details.)
- For more information send an email to Kentina Washington Leapheart, or call 203-222-0055.
Our goal is to offer each of the three required MCC courses (e.g. Polity, Queer History, and Sexuality Studies) twice per calendar year. Details on this page will be added as they are confirmed, so check back often. Our attempt is to give you as much information as possible so that you can plan in advance.
Registration will open at least one month prior to each course. (Click here for our refund policy.) Please contact us if you have any questions.
NOTE: For those who are officially “In-Care” with MCC, limited scholarships are available to cover the costs associated with these required courses. Please download, complete, and submit the Clergy Development Scholarship Application on the Forms and Manuals section of the OFLD website under Incoming Clergy.
