In-Person and Online Registrations Are Open!

The 2023 Justice Summit, on October 7, will center on trans and nonbinary belonging in the church. This full-day event will include worship and preaching, workshops, 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 cisgender people who have begun to engage the work of fostering trans belonging. The Justice Summit is a hybrid event, with options for in-person or online participation.

Read this blog post by SNEUCC Assistant Director for DEI Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin and Queer Advocate Michael Streib, to learn more about the theme for this year's justice summit.
Read about our opening and closing preachers here
 

In-Person Registration         On-Line Registration     

Contact Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org with questions.

---

Workshops ~ Morning

1. Transgender and Non-Binary 101 (in person and online): Hear from a panel of transgender and nonbinary people to learn about their experiences, including their experience of belonging in the church. They will respond to questions about what it means to be transgender and/or nonbinary, including what these terms mean. If you are new to conversations about and with trans and nonbinary people, this session is for you! 
2. What is Open and Affirming Today? (in person and online): Join new Open and Affirming Coalition Executive Director Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh for a conversation about the theologies that ground Open and Affirming covenants, what it means to be ONA today, and a vision for an intersectional ONA movement. 
3. Genderqueer Heroes in the Bible (in person only): Join other trans/nonbinary/genderqueer people and cis people familiar with trans/nonbinary experiences to explore genderqueer, trans, and nonbinary stories and identities in the Bible. Learn from Rev. Tyler Connoley to find new perspectives on familiar and neglected stories in Scripture and explore the richness of our biblical texts regarding gender diversity.
4. Church Beyond the Binary: Queering Belonging (in person only). Join other trans/nonbinary/genderqueer people and cis people familiar with trans/nonbinary experiences to dream and imagine what the future of church belonging could be – including an exploration of whose identities and ways of living are left out, and how we can create spaces that go beyond inclusion and welcome and foster a community of all for all.

Workshops ~ Afternoon

 1. Now what? How Your Church Can Become a Place of Trans/Nonbinary Belonging (in person and online). Learn more about practical steps churches can take to welcome and affirm trans and nonbinary people into the full life and leadership of the congregation
2. Proclaiming the Gospel: Progressive Christian Values in the Public Square (in person and online). Learn from Rev. Nicole Garcia of the National LGBT Task Force how to proclaim progressive Christian values in the public square, to share messages of LGBTQ+ affirming theology and counteract anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ+ policies and rhetoric.

Lunch Time Affinity Groups (optional)

#1: Trans, nonbinary, genderqueer people  
#2: Loved ones of trans, nonbinary, genderqueer people  
#3: Cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer people  
#4: Cisgender straight people, who want to grow in their allyship of their LGBTQ+ siblings  
#5: My church is considering becoming Open & Affirming  

Download a pdf of morning and afternoon workshops and lunch affinity groups here.

Download an agenda here.

---

Marketplace

We will offer 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.

---

Transportation Options

Old South Church is easily reachable by public transport! 

• Park at the Riverside T stop in Newton ($3 day rate) and take the T Green Line to Copley. Old South Church is across the street from the Copley stop.

• Travel on Amtrack to Back Bay Station, which is 0.3 miles from Old South Church

Old South Church Parking

Old South Church is located at 645 Boylston St. Boston. All-day parking at a reduced rate of $17 is available at the Clarendon Street Garage, located at 100 Clarendon St., a .3 mile walk from the church. If needed, we can arrange a shuttle between the parking garage and the church. Please indicate on your registration whether you plan to park in this garage as we need to reserve enough spaces; and whether you will require a shuttle.

---

Sponsorships