Spring is in the air! 

That means that it’s time for the Minnesota Reconciling Congregations’  Annual Spring Gathering.  This year’s gathering will be at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16150 Arcadia Ave SE in Prior Lake. Park in the lower lot behind the church.

Our festivities will start with a gathering time and potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level.  After lunch we will move upstairs to the  sanctuary for the program. It will be live-streamed and available on the MN Reconciling Congregations website.

The theme for this year’s gathering is Welcoming the Whole Person: The Journey Toward LGBTQIA+ Clergy Leadership!  Panel members consisting of Pastor Linda McCollough, Pastor Max Richter, Pastor Tina Forcier,  Pastor Leigh Brown, Conference Superintendent Michelle Hargrave, and members of Staff Parish Committees will discuss our clergy being open about their wholeness as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and how your congregation can be prepared to welcome and integrate their beliefs beyond just a vote. What is the next chapter of living into a MN Reconciling Congregation? In Minnesota, we want to provide ways and opportunities to prepare your congregation to welcome  your LGBTQIA+ pastor by discussing these questions:

• What are some concrete ways that you can live into the inclusiveness?  What are ways that are not helpful?
• How can you develop a team of people to exhibit the acceptance and positive impact for the incoming pastor?
• Who will be a viable leader in your congregation to help respond to questions and concerns so that the clergy doesn’t have to defend their right to be appointed?
• Does your Staff Parish or Pastor Parish team members have ways to communicate how/why we accept the whole pastor, as well as other members of the church?

We hope you can join us!  Bring a dish to pass and plan for a great day of conversation and contemplation. You are also invited to bring food to help supply Holy Trinity’s Hope Cafe and Pantry.  The food pantry serves up to sixty families a week. 

We hope to see you there!  Invite a member of your Staff Parish Committee to attend with you!

Click here for the day-of schedule!