Nebraska Synod ELCA
Event
Program description:
Join us at the Lutheran Center for lunch and conversation. We will read together “Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQIA+ Youth Ministry,” by Deacon Ross Murray, and share with one another our experiences. We will seek to learn and gain a deeper understanding for the needs of younger generations in our church, and explore how God is calling us to demonstrate expansive love.
This discussion will be led by Rev. Liz Kocher and Deacon Coco Lyons, campus ministers at the Lutheran Center Campus Ministry, and two faith leaders with experience guiding LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults on their faith journeys.
Class Details:
We will gather three times at the Lutheran Center: June 14, July 12, August 9
From 11a- 1p, lunch will be included.
You are welcome to join for as many sessions as you wish, attendance at all is not necessary. Purchasing the book will be on your own (but trust us, you want it on your ministry shelf!).
All church leaders are encouraged to join- professional, lay, and volunteer.
We will meet at The Lutheran Center, 535 N. 16th, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus. Hint- street parking will be available since it is summer!
Information and where to buy the book here.
Book Overview:
The Everyday Advocate is for the layperson who feels overwhelmed by the world’s troubles and helpless to address them. It is for the person who goes to church, hears the gospel, seeks to apply it to their lives, and yearns to be connected to, or create, a community that amplifies their voice and actions. It is also for pastors and faith leaders who want to help people think through their calling to advocacy and help connect them with the communities that can use their gifts and talents.
Murray builds on two questions: Where is God? And what are we called to do? Viewing every action and phenomenon as theological, he stakes out values and shows readers how to work toward those values. He also distinguishes between direct service and cultural change, discussing the balance between them and acknowledging both are needed.
Drawing on his own experience and exercising his pastoral spirit, Murray encourages readers to discern their own call to advocacy, learn to identify injustices that still reign, and respond faithfully by incorporating big and small actions into their everyday lives.
Who is the Author:
Ross Murray is a Vice President at the GLAAD Media Institute, which provides activist, spokesperson, and media engagement training and education for LGBTQ and allied community members, the media industry and advocacy organizations desiring to deepen their media impact. Ross uses the best practices perfected by GLAAD to train a new generation of advocates in order to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people, as well as other marginalized communities.
Ross is also a founder and director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth and their allies. The Naming Project has also been the subject of much media, including the award-winning film Camp Out, as well as the controversial episode “Pray the Gay Away?” of Our America with Lisa Ling.
Ross has secured national media interest in stories that bring examples of LGBTQ equality across diverse communities in America. He specializes in the relationship between religion and LGBTQ people. His latest book, The Everyday Advocate: Living Out Your Calling to Social Justice inspires and educates people of faith to act for justice. His book, Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry is available from Fortress Press. Ross has also contributed to two books focused on LGBTQ Christian youth: Queerfully and Wonderfully Made and Welcoming and Affirming. He has written and appeared on numerous media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, Al Jazeera, USA Today, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, and Religion News Service.
RSVP and questions can be directed to Pastor Liz Kocher.