The role of homosexuals in the Christian Church will be examined at a three-day workshop at a Nashville church. The "Our Family Matters" workshop Oct. 22-25 will include a screening of the documentary God and Gays: Bridging the Gap, which inspired the conference.
The Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender and Sexuality at Vanderbilt Divinity School is a sponsor of the conference, to be held at Second Presbyterian Church at 3511 Belmont Blvd. The other sponsors are Holy Trinity Community Church, the Out & About newspaper and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Nashville.
An all-event pass costs $49, and there are less expensive options to attend specific portions of the conference. Child care will be available. For more information, the schedule or to register, go to http://www.ourfamilymatters.org/.
"The conference furthers the Carpenter Program’s goal of fostering open dialogue about sexuality and religion where it really matters: in the lives of people of faith and their families," said Ellen Armour, director of the Carpenter Program.
The "Our Family Matters" conference is designed to provide a healthy alternative to so-called "ex-gay ministries" that try to "cure" gays of their homosexuality.
The schedule for the conference includes a performance by Ray Boltz, an openly gay Christian recording artist and winner of a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association. Keynote speakers are Jack Rogers, professor of theology, emeritus, at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Deborah L. Johnson, founding minister and president of Inner Light Ministries in Soquel, Calif.
The Rev. Jim Kitchens, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, said he is elated to host the conference.
"There are many more affirming churches in Tennessee than most initially think," he said. "Most mainstream congregations are very inclusive and welcome everyone as they are, with open arms."
For more information on the film God and Gays: Bridging the Gap, go to www.godandgaysthemovie.com.
Media Contacts: Kim Clark (831) 206-7261
kim@godandgaysthemovie.com
Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu