Expanding Our Welcome:
Creating Safe and Inclusive Sacred Spaces Together
On April 27, Presbyterians gathered at First Presbyterian Church in Davenport, Iowa for “Expanding Our Welcome: Creating Safe and Inclusive Sacred Spaces Together.” This event, jointly co-sponsored by the Presbyteries of East Iowa and Great Rivers, was designed for leaders and members of every congregation to take the next steps in offering an authentic welcome to LGBTQIA+ people in ways that show God’s love and build up the church.
The day opened with a plenary panel discussion with LGBTQIA+ church leaders and family members telling their stories, lifting up the significance of these efforts, and offering practical help for congregations and individuals trying to bring about change. Moderated by Covenant Network Executive Director Brian Ellison, the panel included Rev. Katie Styrt, Tim Haworth, Slats Toole, and Paul Winer.
Diverse workshops deepened these conversations and offered practical ways for churches and church members to offer a wider welcome in their communities. Workshops included Queer Intersections with Matthew 25, How Welcoming Are We?: Practical Steps for Expanding Our Welcome, Biblical and Theological Support for Inclusion, The Presbyterian Church (USA) and LGBTQIA+ People, LGBTQIA+ 101 and Supporting Queer Youth in Churches.
The event closed in worship with expansive prayers, music and liturgy, including preaching by the Rev. Brian Ellison and music led by a choir open to all participants, directed by Matthew Bishop. Participants left knowing they are not alone on the journey, feeling better equipped for navigating difficult conversations, and taking what they know and living it out in their communities.
Schedule
9:30 – Registration opens / Coffee
10:00 – Plenary/Panel discussion
11:15 – Workshop #1
12:30 – Lunch (provided)
1:30 – Workshop #2
2:45 – Gathering to Share Ideas and Commitments
3:15 – Worship
4:00 – Go in Peace
Workshops
Queer Intersections with Matthew 25 with the Rev. TJ Remaley
The Matthew 25 vision of the PC(USA) lists building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty as the three main foci with three additional intersectional priorities. This workshop explores the intersections between the Matthew 25 foci and the lives and realities of our neighbors who are LGBTQIA+ people.
The Rev. TJ Remaley (he/him) is the pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho, and has previously served congregations in South Carolina and Florida. A lifelong Presbyterian born and raised in central Pennsylvania, he holds M.Div and M.A.C.E. degrees from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and a Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition to the Covenant Network board, TJ also sits on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Council of the Association of Partners in Christian Education. TJ lives in Boise with his spouse Megan, son Layton, and their two rascally cats.
LGBTQIA+ 101 with Slats Toole
As our understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity continues to evolve, new words to describe these experiences have emerged. This workshop examines the history and language of LGBTQ+ people, equipping participants with greater comfort and confidence in welcoming diverse neighbors.
Slats Toole (they/them) is a writer, musician, preacher and theater professional currently based in the Twin Cities and serving as Co-Moderator of the Board of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Slats’ Lenten poetry series has been compiled in the collection Queering Lent, and their work has also been published in places like Call to Worship, The Presbyterian Outlook and Sacramental Life. Slats has led workshops on expansive language and queer theology (with a particular emphasis on gender identity) throughout the United States and Canada, including at numerous CNP events. Slats makes their home in Minneapolis with their partner Mads.
Many churches would proudly welcome a sign that says “All Are Welcome.” But how do people who have been hurt by the Church before, especially LGBtQIA+ people, know they can believe it? This workshop offers creative ways of thinking about welcome that is authentic and effective, including in a church’s worship, publicity/marketing, practices of hospitality, building facilities, community outreach and more.
The Rev. Carol McDonald (she/her) retired from, and was named Executive Emerita by, the Synod of Lincoln Trails in August, 2014. Currently, she serves as a Parish Associate at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. She has held many leadership roles in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is a longtime member of the Board of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
Biblical and Theological Support for Inclusion with the Rev. Brian Ellison
Through in-depth study of a few of the texts that have been used to condemn the LGBTQIA+ community, we can reclaim the Bible as a tool of inspiration rather than a weapon of domination and exclusion. Participants will be able to reassert the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s expansive and inclusive love grounded in God’s vision of a diverse, abundant, beautiful world rooted in peace and justice.
See below for more information about Brian Ellison.
The Presbyterian Church and LGBTQIA People with Tim Haworth and Brian Ellison
This workshop explored the past and future of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as it relates to LGBTQIA+ people. This session delved into the historical context of the PC(USA)’s stance on LGBTQIA+ inclusion and discussed challenges facing the church today. Facilitators Tim Haworth and Brian Ellison examined the current realities of LGBTQIA+ experiences in the church and potential future developments, including the upcoming General Assembly.
See below for more information about Tim Haworth.
Supporting Queer Youth in Churches with Katie Styrt and Slats Toole
This workshop provided church leaders and congregants with the tools to create a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ youth in their faith communities. Participants explored the challenges faced by queer youth, learned inclusive practices, and developed strategies for fostering understanding and advocating for queer youth within the church.
See below for more information about Katie Styrt and Slats Toole.
Choir rehearsal with Matthew Bishop
A choir open to all rehearse during one of the workshop time slots to lead music the closing worship service. Singing two joyful anthems that model expansive language and theology in worship, choir provides the opportunity to both learn and make an offering of your gifts as part of the event.
Matt Bishop (he/him) is the Director of Music & Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa. Among his duties in overseeing one of the most vibrant church music programs in the Midwest are curating an active Performing Arts Series, providing music direction for in-house productions of fully-staged Broadway musicals, and conducting several of the church’s renowned music ensembles including Vesper Bells, the Chamber Chorale, and the Sanctuary Choir. With the latter group, an 80-voice multi-generational mixed vocal choir, Matt has led performance/outreach tours both regionally and internationally and premiered commissioned works by leading composers, including Libby Larsen, Jonathan Dove, Saunder Choi, and Alfred Fedak. Matt holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Furman University, and two Masters of Music degrees in historical musicology and conducting from Florida State University. A passionate advocate for the role of choral music in promoting and enacting social justice, Matt’s primary conducting teachers have included André Thomas, Hugh Floyd, and Alexander Jiménez.
Preaching
Our time together in worship lifted up expansive prayers, music and liturgy with preaching by the Rev. Brian Ellison.
Brian has served as Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians since 2012, preaching, teaching and providing overall strategic leadership in implementing the organization’s mission. Brian is available for working with congregations, councils and groups of interested Presbyterians about inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people, fostering and navigating difficult conversations, organizing and advocating for transformation, and on the Covenant Network and its mission. Brian also serves as Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America. He has served previously as pastor of Parkville Presbyterian Church (near Kansas City, Missouri) and as stated clerk of Heartland Presbytery. He currently is moderator of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission; previously, he was a director of the Board of Pensions, a member of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, and moderator of both the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment and the Stated Clerk Review/Nomination Committee. His writing on matters of faith and theology have appeared in numerous church and independent publications. A graduate of Harvard University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Brian also is host/contributor at NPR affiliate KCUR-FM. He and his partner, Troy Lillebo, live in Kansas City with their two dog daughters, the recalcitrant Willoughby and the dopey Sage.
Panel Discussion: Courageously Building a Church for All
Church leaders from across the region and the country shared ways we can create sacred spaces that are safe and affirming for all God’s people—especially those who have have historically experienced exclusion from the church. A panel of LGBTQIA+ church leaders and family members told their stories, lifted up the significance of these efforts, and offered practical help for congregations and individuals trying to bring about change in their communities. As we all strive to expand the church’s welcome, this conversation with Katie Styrt, Slats Toole, Tim Haworth, and Paul Winer—moderated by Covenant Network of Presbyterians Executive Director Brian Ellison—challenges us to listen, learn, and act.
Rev. Katie Styrt (she/her) currently serves as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Milan, IL. She grew up in a church where being bisexual was no barrier to being loved and supported, and works to foster that same spirit of welcome in the congregations she serves. She is passionate about contextualizing scripture, board games, and pub trivia. Milan is the fourth First Presbyterian Church she’s served!
Tim Haworth (he/him) currently serves as Parish Chaplain for First Presbyterian Church in Springfield IL. Tim is the grandson, nephew, and cousin to generations of pastors. Starting with a third grade Sunday school class his junior year in high school, Tim has served the church in some form (volunteer or staff) for almost 50 years. Tim’s grandma was the Sunday school superintendent at the time, and he did what he was “voluntold”. Other roles Tim has held in the local church include youth leader, camp staff and ultimately camp program director, lead worshipper, lay associate pastor, hospice chaplain, and parish chaplain. Tim also has served in the “outside world” as a mental health case manager and ultimately assistant director of a county mental health board. In his free time, when such a thing existed, Tim enjoyed working with the local community theater group taking roles on-stage and back-stage. Tim is proud to be serving his community as president of UNITED: Open and Affirming Faith Communities (advocating for justice and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people in our community), treasurer of the Heartland Housed Board (a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating homelessness in our county) and the PCUSA as moderator of the newly formed LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocacy Committee. Tim will be the committee’s corresponding member to the General Assembly. Tim lives in Springfield with his husband Jeff and a pack of three dogs and a cat.
Slats Toole (they/them) is a writer, musician, preacher and theater professional currently based in Minneapolis, MN. Slats’ Lenten poetry series has been compiled in the collection Queering Lent, and their work has also been published in places like Call to Worship, The Presbyterian Outlook and Sacramental Life. Slats has led workshops on expansive language and queer theology (with a particular emphasis on gender identity) throughout the United States and Canada, and is proud to serve on the Covenant Network board.
Paul Winer (he/him) lives in Fairfield Iowa and is a member of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. He is a husband and father of two adult daughters. He is a management consultant, enjoys reading, gardening, landscaping and meditation. When Paul’s transgender daughter came out five years ago at age 20 he was concerned about her happiness and their relationship. Now those concerns are gone. He has since become Vice President of the Mount Pleasant chapter of PLFAG and is active in One Iowa Action, an LGBTQ+ advocacy and lobbying organization.