An upcoming event in the Fresno area is offering a loving and inclusive perspective to the church debates about homosexuality. Wesley United Methodist Church, Wesley’s Committee on Reconciliation and Love Welcomes All has organized to present the upcoming LOVE WELCOMES ALL weekend conference. During the weekend of April 22-24, participants will be able to experience the “BOLD WITNESS of GOD’S LOVE!”
Sadly, too many people unjustly suffer because of the conflicts that they believe exist between their sexuality and spirituality. Our goal is to offer a loving alternative to the many voices of religious persecution that are heard, sometimes on a daily basis. Religious persecution of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender community creates self-hate, self-violence and hate crimes. Keynote speaker, Dr. Mary A. Tolbert, a professor at the Pacific School of Religion will be discussing her academic research regarding the ethical responsibility of interpreting The Bible. Along with Dr. Tolbert, Mary Lou and Robert Wallner, from Little Rock, AR, will be addressing the conference about the religious persecution suicide of their lesbian daughter.
On Saturday afternoon, a working session will be conducted to discuss how progressive churches can continue the work of sharing God’s love with all. This open session will be moderated by Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto. Dr. Oliveto has been an effective community and church leader in the effort to open the doors of the United Methodist Church to all persons, including gays and lesbians and their families. Her most recent co-authored book, Holy Conversations: Talking about Homosexuality, is forthcoming from Pilgrim Press.
WHEN: Friday, April 22nd – 6-9pm Saturday, April 23rd – 8-3pm Sunday, April 24th – 8:30-1pm WHERE: Wesley United Methodist Church 1343 E. Barstow Ave., Fresno
