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Interweave Continental
Unitarian-Universalists
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered Concerns
Working Together in Faith Convocation Weekend 2004
February 27-29, 2004
New York City
For almost twenty years, Interweave
Continental - Unitarian-Universalists for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Concerns, has held an
annual convocation that brings
together friends and allies who share common ground on
issues and identity.
This year's event was hosted
by The Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York
City, and was one of our best attended and most popular
yet. There were ample opportunities
for fellowship, spiritual reflection, and thought-provoking
presentations on leadership, organizational development, and
other vital areas and issues.
Presenters
included:
• All Souls'
own Forrest Church & Jan
Carlsson-Bull, as
well as John Shelby Spong, author and former Episcopal Bishop
• Rev. Mel
White, former ghostwriter for Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell & Oliver
North and founder of SOULFORCE
• William
Sinkford, president of the UUA
• Virginia
Mollenkott, author and transgender activist
• Dr.
Marsha Martin, executive director of AIDS Action
• Gilles
Marchildon, executive director of EGALE CANADA
• Richard
Goldstein, executive editor of The Village Voice
• Taquiena
Boston, Director, UUA Identity Based Ministries
• Meg
Riley, Director,
UUA Advocacy & Witness
• Keith
Kron, Director, UUA Office of BGLT Concerns
• Dr.
Susan Gore, consultant, The Mentor Group
• Rev.
Mother Lynn Walker, Orthodox Catholic Priest and trangender
activist
...among
others.
The theme for Convocation Weekend
2004 was "Working Together in Faith" and
activities were centered on the following principal topic
areas:
• Inner Life - personal growth,
spiritual exploration & practice
• Congregational Life - leadership
& organizational development
• Community Life - social &
political issues
The Program
Daily worship and spirituality offerings,
sessions on local organizing with recognized
UUA staff, presentations on timely and controversial issues like
equal marriage, HIV/AIDS, sodomy law and other issues of local
and national significance including
an update on reforms in Canada. There were
sessions related to bisexual and transgendered life. Specific
blocks of time were set
aside to maximize audience participation.
The Location
The church is located in an upscale,
safe residential location that features impressive
architecture and local life. Tourist attractions nearby including
Central Park and Museum Mile.
Visitors enjoyed the LGBT venues in Greenwich
Village & Chelsea.
The People
People came to
meet, share and connect with other
Unitarian Universalists and friends. Attendees included LBGT
community activists, clergy
and seminarians, interweave members, people working
in congregations at all stages of the welcoming process and many
others from all parts of the
United States and Canada. Large numbers of straight
supporters attended.
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