Registration is open!The second annual Justice Summit will take place on October 7, 2023, in Boston, MA, and online. This year’s Summit centers on Trans and Nonbinary Belonging in the Church.
This full-day event will include worship and preaching, workshops, and ample time for relationship-building and connection. Workshop options will include an introductory session for people who have had little exposure to the experiences of trans and nonbinary people, as well as sessions for trans and nonbinary people and for cisgender people who have begun to engage in the work of fostering trans belonging. Because of Proportional Giving, people affiliated with SNEUCC congregations receive discounted registration, and registration is open to anyone, regardless of church/denomination affiliation.
This topic is close to the heart of the Southern New England Conference for a variety of reasons: Trans and non-binary people are already an essential part of our congregations and communities. They sit in our pews, serve as clergy and passionate lay leaders, and are active throughout the wider church, including in our conference and the national setting.
At the same time, trans and non-binary people are under attack nationwide. As of early April, 2023 has seen a surge of anti-trans and anti-queer legislation, with nearly 500 bills introduced. 26 of those bills have passed, with some states now banning gender-affirming care, use of gender-aligned bathrooms, and drag performances. Though this legislation is often proclaimed to “protect” kids, anti-trans rhetoric and policies threaten the lives of trans children and adults, as well as other LGBTQ+ people.
At the same time, trans and non-binary people are under attack nationwide. As of early April, 2023 has seen a surge of anti-trans and anti-queer legislation, with nearly 500 bills introduced. 26 of those bills have passed, with some states now banning gender-affirming care, use of gender-aligned bathrooms, and drag performances. Though this legislation is often proclaimed to “protect” kids, anti-trans rhetoric and policies threaten the lives of trans children and adults, as well as other LGBTQ+ people.
Source: translegislation.com/learn, April 4, 2023
It is out of our commitment to each other as the body of Christ and our call to be a witness to the public in times of injustice that we invite the congregations of the Southern New England Conference to (re) commit themselves to being places where trans and nonbinary people belong.
Join us for:
- worship to inspire and renew us, feeding our spirits for the hard work ahead
- workshops to educate us on how we can take action to create places of belonging and affirmation in our congregations and communities
- affinity groups to connect deeper with peers for accountability and support
- a marketplace to connect with organizations and resources that promote trans/nonbinary and broader LGBTQ+ belonging (if your ministry or organization would like a table in our marketplace, please contact Karen Methot).
Authors
Noah Brewer-Wallin
Noah serves as the Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Southern New England Conference. Noah supports congregations in making God’s love real through engagement in environmental and economic justice. Contact them for: ...
Michael Streib
The Rev. Michael Streib engages and supports local congregations in creating greater inclusion and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people within the various settings of the church and community. Contact Michael to: Request...