Sample Workshops for Youth Groups, Colleges, Seminaries, and Prep Schools

This is a listing of some of the workshops that have been given at events and in other settings. Should you desire a workshop or two on your campus or event, please contact the youth/young adult coordinator. Workshops can be tailored to your needs or custom-made.

Contact

YYA Program Coordinator
P.O. Box 460455 Glendale Station
Denver, Colorado 80246-0455
720.941.1062 tel
720.941.1061 fax
YYACoord@uccCoalition.org

Biblical Self-Defense

Too often, the religious right misuses a few passages from the Bible to justify the oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Too often, young people do not know how to respond to these texts or what they really mean and their contexts. As a result, any conversation with the religious right, be it in person or in society, can become an invitation to an lgbt person to feel poorly about themselves. This workshop analyzes each of the so-called “slammer passages” in detail, removing the fear they sometimes can instill. Included will be examination of contexts and translations. The workshop also empowers young people to feel positively about the combination of being lgbt and a person of faith, no matter the faith, by looking at other passages from both testaments as well.

ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

We have been able to offer this internationally recognized training program with a special focus on lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth and young adults. The ASIST workshop is for caregivers who
want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. This
workshop is offered by Coalition staff and volunteers.

A Humble Walk With God: Justice for and Kindness toward the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Community

This workshop, designed for all young adults, will identify issues of justice in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbtq) community, and will discuss how the church can respond in kindness on its humble walk with God. LGBTQ people on their own humble walks with God often feel particularly unwelcome in faith communities because they have been treated unjustly or unkindly. This workshop will identify particular needs of lgbtq people, and will explore how various settings on the church–campus, local congregations, regional activities–can be places of kindness for all to walk with God on a journey toward justice. Questions to be discussed include: “What can I do–I’m straight,” and “How can my campus group be more welcoming?”

Life or Death: Implenting the 1999 General Synod on the Prevention of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Suicide

The 1999 General Synod of the UCC passed a resolution urging the denomination to take actions to prevent lgbt youth suicide. This workshop will examine the resolution, give an update of the progress on actions called for, and offer participants strategies for its implementation. One particular action requested was to raise consciousness about lgbt youth suicide in both ecumenical and civil venues. Another called for conversations in schools and families, as well as local youth groups and camps. This workshop is intended to encourage participants to begin the work of the resolution and offer tools and discussion for where to begin.

Ministry with LGBT Youth & Young Adults

This workshop is intended for all who work with youth and/or young adults, youth/young adults themselves, and anyone else who’s interested. The workshop will include discussion and role plays based on various situations in which youth ministers, campus ministers, and yya peers may find themselves. We will examine ways in which to make spaces safe for lgbt YYAs.

Our Stories: A Panel of LGBT Youth

This powerful workshop is a panel of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth telling their coming out stories, particularly as relates to their faith journeys.

Who Am I? Sexuality, Gender, and Orientation

This workshop is an in-depth overview of the basics of sexual orientation and gender identity. It will explore terms and definitions, and will include interaction by the participants on creating safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in communities of faith.

Ho-Ho-Homophobia: No Laughing Matter

This workshop addresses homophobia (fear of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people) and its impact on all of us, including straight people.

How to Be a Straight Ally

This workshop is for members of the straight communitiy who want to know what to do to be an ally for the lgbt community. What things will a straight person face? What are some specific actions a straighit person can take?

Finding a Spiritual Home

This workshop addresses issues for lgbtq people and spirituality. May be done in a strictly lgbt group, or in a mixed group. It addresses general questions about spirituality in a reflective way which asks each participant to contemplate both his/her life experience and future vision. (Easily combined with “Faith Journey, Coming Out Journey.”)

Faith Journey, Coming Out Journey

This workshop is designed principally l;gbt people, but may be done in a mixed setting. It addresses the intersectsions of faith and coming out in a reflective manner. (Easily combined with “Finding a Spiritual Home.”)

Creating an Open and Affirming Campus Community

This workshop is designed to discuss specific ways that campuses related to the United Church of Christ can be places of welcome for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. In 1985 the General Synod of the UCC passed the Open and Affirming resolution which calls upon settings of the church to engage in these conversations and to declare themselves Open and Affirming.

Retaining Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) College Students

In their 1994 publication, The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Students’ Guide to Colleges, Universities, and Graduate Schools, Sherrill and Hardesty state that 31% of the surveyed lesbian, gay, and bisexual (lgb) students left school for one semester or longer. In addition, 33.4% dropped out or transferred all together. Retention of lgbtq students, therefore, is an issue of significant concern to colleges. This workshop looks at tools for retaining lgbt students through graduation, including the work of Laura C. Engelken, Beth Craig, Kathleen Burns Hothem and Christopher D. Keene, and Elizabeth Cramer. Issues specific to church-related campuses will be examined. This workshop was created for the United Church of Christ Council for Higher Education.

Residence Hall Trainings

This workshop is designed for all residence hall staff. It familiarizes them with basic terminology and concepts, and presents real-life situations they may encounter as role plays.

Same Gender Marriage Study

Participants will become familiar with concepts of marriage, convenant, and commitment. Participants will become familiar with the issues surrounding marriage of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in both civil and religious arenas. Discussion will include examination of one’s own views and how to foster dialogue.

Sexual and Emotional Ethics, Relationships, and Dating

This workshop is designed for youth and young adults (age 30 and under). In her book, Love Does No Harm, Rev.
Marie Fortune outlines many of the issues in relationships. Individuals have differing levels of power based on
factors such as age, race, education, and sexual orientation. The purpose of this workshop is to put forth the
concepts involved in ethical dating and relationship situations. The workshop will include role plays and practical
ideas.

Mentoring Queer Youth

Too often, the healthy development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, down-low,
and same-gender loving young people is left to those working in youth- serving organizations. This workshop will
explore some of the issues about why it is important for members of the queer community to step up to the plate
and take responsibility for fostering the development of our own young people. Much can be accomplished through
informal mentoring relationships. Straight allies are also often in the position of being mentors. The workshop
will also explore a bit of the ‘how’ to do that.

Contact

YYA Program Coordinator
P.O. Box 460455 Glendale Station
Denver, Colorado 80246-0455
720.941.1062 tel
720.941.1061 fax
YYACoord@uccCoalition.org