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Advancing Equality for LGBT Episcopalians at the Diocesan Level

A free workshop sponsored by Claiming the Blessing and Integrity

The Lambeth Conference has left us with the good news that the Anglican Communion did not split into pieces—and with many pressures on the Episcopal Church that threaten the progress we have been making toward full inclusion of all the baptized in the life of the Church. General Convention 2009 could well prove to be the "tipping point" for the Episcopal Church's full acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] persons. We must work to move beyond the travesty of B033 and to advance marriage equality.

To build momentum toward those goals, Claiming the Blessing [CTB] and Integrity are co-sponsoring a series of workshops designed to provide local Episcopalians [clergy and laity, gay and straight] with the information and tools to be more effective advocates for LGBT issues at the diocesan level.

Participants will learn about the status of LGBT issues in the Episcopal Church, the polity of the Episcopal Church at all levels, how to elect and lobby bishops and General Convention deputies, how to submit and pass diocesan convention resolutions, and how to communicate effectively with a variety of target audiences and the media.

The trainers are the Rev. Cynthia Black of Kalamazoo and Katie Sherrod for Fort Worth, just returned from the Inclusive Church communications team at Lambeth. Katie edited The Lambeth Witness, while Cynthia shot video for the Lambeth Gene Pool. The two also are the producers of the film Voices of Witness: Africa successfully previewed at Lambeth.

WHERE AND WHEN: Our last workshop of this series will take place beginning at noon on Friday, Sept. 12 and ending at noon on Saturday at St. Mark's Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis, MN. Registration is now open.

REGISTRATION: Because the workshop is free, this couldn't be easier! Simply email your name, your address, a phone number, and the name of your diocese to Jan Adams, Field Organizer, at jan@integrityusa.org.

LODGING: Though a grant from the Arcus Foundation is covering workshop costs, we ask that you arrange your own travel and accommodations. Some help with travel expenses may be available. Contact Jan at jan@integrityusa.org or 415-378-2050.

More Information

WORKSHOP GOAL

To provide progressive Episcopalians with the knowledge and skills they need to positively and effectively influence their diocesan conventions and other diocesan decision makers on LGBT issues.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

By the end of the workshop participants will be able to...

Describe the current status of LGBT equality within the Episcopal Church.
Summarize the polity of the Episcopal Church at the parish, diocesan, provincial, and national levels.
Explain Integrity/Claiming the Blessing's strategy for advancing LGBT equality during the current triennium.
Organize with other local, progressive Episcopalians
Network with non-LGBT's struggling for inclusion within the Episcopal Church
List resources for promoting LGBT equality within the church.
Elect and influence General Convention deputies, bishops, and other key diocesan leadership.
Submit and pass diocesan convention resolutions to General Convention.
Develop and effectively communicate messages to your target audience.
Use local print and broadcast media.