UCC Coalition :: National Gathering

2592 West 14th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
800-653-0799
216-861-0779
office@ucccoalition.org

What do you want to find?	National Gathering
Open and Affirming (ONA) Program Youth and Young Adult Program National Gathering UCC Coalition News Announcement from the Board of Directors of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns (7/1/2009) A Note from Ruth Garwood (6/30/2009) Ripples - June 2009 Coming to Grand Rapids? Connect with the Coalition! Other Breaking News: U.S. Conference of Mayors Passes Resolution Supporting the Freedom to Marry NEW RESOURCE: Out in the Silence Same-Sex Marriage Becomes Law in Maine NH Senate rejects transgender rights protections Same-Sex Weddings Begin in Iowa NEW RESOURCE: PFAW Report on Harry Jackson, "Point Man for the Wedge Strategy" Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Legislation passes the U.S. House of Representatives Maine moves closer to Marriage Equality Archive of all Newsbits...	Scripture Theme Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before God whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive whatever we ask, because we obey the commandments and do what pleases God. 1 John 3:18-21 Growing Bold The UCC Coalition's 2009 National Gathering will be held June 22–25 2009, prior to the UCC General Synod in Grand Rapids, MI. The theme for this year's gathering is "Growing Bold." It will be a celebration of Open and Affirming, exploration of what ONA can be in its fullest expression, worship, fellowship, celebration and engagement. Scripture Theme Keynote Speaker More Plenary Sessions Other Programming Logistics Growing BOLD Registration Child Care UCC Coalition Board of Directors' Meeting Open Mic Night! Related Events Hector Lopez Keynote Speaker Hector Lopez, retired Conference Minister for the Central Pacific Conference and the first Latino ordained in the UCC. He helped design the Council of Racial and Ethnic Ministries. His extensive history of justice in the church spanned to many settings, both academic and in local churches in California, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. He has long been an advocate for LGBT people and the Open and Affirming movement. His keynote address will be Tuesday, June 23, 2009, during the morning plenary session. More Plenary Sessions Julie Nemecek The Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek will lead our plenary time on Monday evening. Gender/Transgender: A Spiritual Journey will help us learn more about transgender experience, as well as gender in general. Dr. Nemecek is co-director of Michigan Equality and became well-known during her dispute with a local Christian University, which dismissed Julie as a result of her gender transition. UCC President Rev. John Thomas Growing Bold Banquet featuring UCC President John Thomas! United Church of Christ President and minister, Rev. John Thomas will reflect upon what the ONA movement means to the church on Wednesday June 24, 2009 at 6:00 pm. You do not want to miss this historic address. Other Programming Additional presenters will include: Ann Craig of the GLAAD Religion and Faith program Peter Barbosa of Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology Samuel Merritt College Bishop Yvette Flunder, The Fellowship, and City of Refuge UCC Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune, Faith Trust Institute Rev. Candace Chellew-Hodge, Garden of Grace UCC Michael Schuenemeyer of the UCC LGBT Minstries Office Ruth Garwood of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns Rev. Tricia Gilbert, Pilgrim UCC Oliver Martin, United Church AIDS Network Rev. Dr. Melanie Morrision, Allies for Change Sung Won Park, Intersections International Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, Health & Wholeness Tim Brown of the UCC Coalition Youth and Young Adult Program Roland Stringfellow of the Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations Rev. John Tamilio, Pilgrim UCC Ana Tampanna, Author, ONA Consultant, Southern Conference William Walsh, ONA Consultant, Maine Conference Elaine Kirkland, Choir Leader And more! General Sessions will include panels on HIV/AIDS, How ONA can develop in your church, Gender identity and gender expression. Workshop topics include: Is the media your friend or your enemy? Agape Conversation: tools for talking with people who disagree with us Sexuality Education ONA and disability How to be an ally Choir Rehearsal: Choir rehearsal will be Monday, June 22, 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm during registration. Logistics The UCC Coalition's 2009 National Gathering will be held June 22–25 2009, prior to the UCC General Synod in Grand Rapids, MI. The Coalition will gather at the Grand Rapids Crowne Plaza. There is a complimentary airport shuttle from the Grand Rapids Airport. It runs every 30 minutes. A taxi cab from the airport runs 10 minutes and is just $10. A preliminary schedule is available in PDF form. Rooms are available for $82 plus tax, if you mention this event. When calling the hotel, please call the local property at 616-957-1770 rather than the national reservation 800 number. You need to mention "GROWING BOLD" to receive one of our reserved rooms at the special room rate. DEADLINE: May 28, 2009 Please contact The Coalition office at office@ucccoalition.org, if you need help finding a roommate. Growing BOLD Registration 13 and over must register Regular = $125 per person from May 1, 2009, until May 31, 2009 Late = $150 per person from June 1, 2009 Optional: Meals for length of conference = $126 (includes Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast, lunch, dinner, Wednesday lunch, banquet, Thursday breakfast) Single Day Registration: You have the option of registrating for single a day. You may contact the office at 800-653-0799 or 216-861-0779 and pay in advance or pay and register day of. Monday only - $60 Tuesday only - $60 Wednesday and Thursday only - $60 for both days. Please Note - There are no single day meal plans other than our banquet which is $30. Register online at https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=ZZ2V6K7 Register by mail using this form http://www.ucccoalition.org/fileadmin/news/Gathering2009RegistrationForm.pdf Child Care Child care will be provided during the plenary sessions each day for your convenience for $10 per child per day. Payment can be made at the time of your child(ren)'s drop off. We will be offering activities as well as snacks. Please notify the Coalition office if there are any dietary concerns. Hours of Operation: Monday- 7-9pm, Tuesday- 9:30-12:00am, 7-9pm, Wednesday- 9:30-12:00am, 6-9pm, Thursday- 9:30-12:30am. UCC Coalition Board of Directors' Meeting The UCC Coalition Board of Directors will meet twice during conference for the approval of minutes, financials, nominating and voting of officers for the year. Tuesday, June 23 at 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. (at the beginning of the plenary session). Place T.B.A. Thursday, June 25 at 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Place T. B. A. Open Mic Night! Show Your Talent! Prepare to share your singing, playing, dancing and comedic talent at the "Growing BOLD Open Mic Night" on Tuesday, June 23 from 9 pm to 11pm. (Place T.B.A.) Even if you are not BOLD enough to participate, plan on encourging others as they shine that evening. Related Events The first Children & Families Multicultural Festival (a 27th General Synod Pre-Synod Event) is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2009, at St. John's Church, UCC, in Grand Rapids, MI, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The theme for the Children & Families Multicultural Festival is "Immerse Yourself in Friendship!" The Coalition's National Gathering will conclude on Thursday in time for families to make it to the festival. For more information about the festival, please visit www.ucc.org/children/.		Growing Bold June 22–25, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI National Gathering 2008 National Gathering 2008 was held June 25–29, 2008 in Dallas, TX, in conjunction with The Fellowship. The theme was "One Tribe, One Table." National Gathering 2007 National Gathering 2007 was a great success! See a photo gallery here
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Contact the web manager	The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns 800-653-0799 or 216-861-0779 office@ucccoalition.org		Copyright 2008