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Constructive conversations on
homosexuality |
More Light Presbyterians and PFLAG San
Jose announce joint release of video series
[4-5-04]More Light Presbyterians and PFLAG San Jose
have just released a video series,
"Project Hearts & Minds," which includes DVDs, tapes, and facilitators'
guides allow easy discussion of LGBT concerns in churches, schools,
community groups. |
Public Conversations Project
offers workshops to
train facilitators for constructive conversations on sexual orientation
and the Christian faith. Lisa Larges, Regional Partnership Coordinator of
That All May Freely Serve, recommends this group's work "in creating deep,
challenging, and constructive conversations in the midst of conflict."
[3-29-04]
WORKSHOP EXPLORES HOMOSEXUALITY IN CHRISTIAN FAITH
A wide range of Christian congregations and denominations
now face conflicts that involve conflicting views of theology, scripture and
Christian ethics, particularly with regard to human sexuality. On March
16th, PCP debuted a new workshop intended to help Christian clergy and lay
leaders facilitate deeply reflective and constructive conversations about
issues related to human sexuality, especially sexual orientation, and the
Christian faith.
Grounded in PCP's experiences facilitating dialogues on
this topic with bishops and primates in the Episcopal church, this new
training drew participants from a variety of Christian denominations and
several ecumenical and interfaith organizations. The group reflected on the
values and beliefs that led them to their interest in this topic, engaged in
a facilitated dialogue modeled on PCP's "Guide to Community Dialogue" and
focused on ways participants can adapt PCP's material to the specific
settings in which they hope to work.
Participants raised questions ranging from "how do you
'make room' for constructive conversation to take place in face of strong
emotion, such as anger or sorrow?" to "what might be some
drawbacks/changes/differences in using this method with youth and adults;
how do you invite all generations into the conversation?"
In addition to preparing participants to minister to their
communities' needs, at least one person saw deep personal relevance in
exploring this topic from a dialogic perspective. He told us that he finally
was able to envision having a genuine and respectful dialogue with people
who hold differing views, something that was far less possible before this
experience.
To explore the possibilities for bringing this training to
your organization or faith community, call Kathy Regan at 617-923-1216 ext.
15 or email
kregan@publicconversations.org. PCP's Guide to Community Dialogue is
available at no cost by visiting
http://conversations.forms.soceco.org/48/
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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