Join us for a time of learning, sharing, and discovering together what it means to be a church that truly welcomes all. Organized by the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, this event has also partnered with the Presbytery of Charlotte, First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, and Caldwell Presbyterian Church. We are grateful to Trinity Presbyterian Church for hosting the event.
Schedule
8:00-8:30 – Registration opens
8:30-10:00 Worship/Panel Discussion
10:15-11:00 Workshop #1
11:15-12:00 Workshop #2
12:10-12:30 Closing Gathering and Worship
Workshop Lineup
– Beyond the Clobber Texts: Digging more deeply into the biblical witness on sexuality with Mark Achtemeier
– Expanding Our Worship: Creatively using language and music to make our worship more reflective of all God’s people with Slats Toole
– LGBTQIA+ 101: An introduction or refresher on the vocabulary and basics of sexual orientation and gender identity
– Stories of Race and Sexual Identity: An immersion in the intersectional stories of LGBTQ people of color with Jonathan Hardin, Jeffrey Best, Regina Weldon
– Talking About Same-Sex Marriage: Exploring the theological issues at stake and promoting productive conversations on policies for same-sex marriages in church buildings
– Ministry with LGBTQ Youth: This workshop will gather experienced local voices to offer reflection, resources and support for queer youth with Justin Martin and LaWonder McDowell.
Register for $10, free to students and anyone for whom the registration would present a financial hardship by selecting “free” under registration fee. Fill out a form for one individual at a time and refresh the page before filling out another registration. Plenary segments of this event and selected workshops will be offered online, with registrations required for access.
Regarding COVID-19, all participants in the in-person conference are expected to be fully vaccinated and required to wear masks indoors at all times. Rooms will be large enough for safe distancing with refreshments breaks happening only in outdoor spaces. (Leaders will continue to monitor the public health situation and, if necessary, make further adjustments.)
All registrants will receive more detailed information on workshop selections and other conference details the week of the event.
Presenters
Dr Mark Achtemeier is a Presbyterian minister, author, and theologian. He taught Theology and Ethics at Dubuque Theological Seminary and has served pastorates in North Carolina and Iowa. Mark is author of The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage, and his writings have appeared in numerous collections and periodicals. As part of the struggle to bring inclusive ordination standards and marriage policies to the PC(USA), he served as an official overture advocate before the General Assembly, he traveled the nation speaking in support of inclusive church policies. Mark and his wife, the Rev. Katherine Morton Achtemeier, are enjoying their retirement in Black Mountain, NC.
Jonathan Hardin has been a member of Caldwell Presbyterian Church since 2012. He served 3 years on the Session. During that time, he led the Congregational Care Committee for 2 years and was Clerk of Session for 1 year. Jonathan is currently an active member of Caldwell’s Touchpoint Committee. This committee focuses on outreach to the LGBTQ+ community and education of the church congregation. Professionally, Jonathan is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate helping individuals through a person-centered and individualized clinical approach while providing multicultural counseling services for teenagers and adults.
Rev. Leslie Oliver, a native of Newark, N.J., hails from 4 generations of womanist preachers She is a multi-dimensional artist and openly queer womanist preacher. She holds a B.A from Rutgers University (1992)., an MFA in Creative Writing from Full Sail University(2012), and most recently , an M.Div in pastoral care from Union Presbyterian Seminary (2021). She has been active in ministry for over 25 years. An accomplished psalmist, writer and Theomusicologist, with the Poor People’s Campaign, Pastor “Isai” currently pastors Sanctuary Outreach Ministries here in Charlotte, N.C.
Heather J. McKee is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from Davidson College in 1987 with an A.B in Psychology. Heather earned a second undergraduate degree in Accounting from Queens University of Charlotte and worked a Staff Accountant at Arthur Andersen & Co. before heeding God’s call to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. She was awarded a Masters of Divinity degree in 1994 and went on to a varied career in Health Policy, Medical Ethics, and Health Administration, most recently as Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Pines at Davidson. Upon returning to Davidson in 2014, Heather began ordered ministry at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, the same church that originally affirmed her call 30 years ago.