LGBTQA Christians on a Transformative Journey: Healing and Wholeness for Our Selves and Our World
Ammon Ripple
What does it mean for a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or ally (LGBTQA) Christian to love God, to love neighbor, and to love self? Can we love ourselves as Jesus has loved us despite a history of harm and alienation caused by the church? How can we love others, even those who present a challenge, so that we can change the world through our faith? How can we practice our faith to express our love for God? Experience affirming community and healing prayer, and also gain important skills for helping individuals, congregations, and local communities become more welcoming and inclusive of LGBT people.
Learn how to use the Bible as a source of affirmation for LGBT people and for helping others advocate for justice for LGBT people. Learn the power of intentional use of conversations, stories, and relationships in transforming the religious landscape. This spiritual retreat will energize and sustain LGBT Christians and allies in their personal spiritual journey and in their work for a more just world.
The retreat will focus on intersections of sexuality, gender identity, race, class, ability, spirituality, and more, honoring each person as their whole self. Our intention is to be fully inclusive of transgender people, bisexual people, people of color, and people with disabilities, as well as people on various spiritual journeys within the broad realm of Christian spirituality. This includes those not affiliated with a specific faith community or who identify as agnostic Jesus followers.
Led by Ammon S. Ripple, M.Div., has spent more than 30 years living out the reality of a gay man who is deeply in love with God. He will share best practices and key skills for creating social change in small and large communities which he has learned as a national leader in the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ, as statewide Faith Organizer for Equality Pennsylvania, and as Executive Director of the Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania.
Cost $375 includes double occupancy room, board and tuition