BOOK STUDY GROUP
The Church and LGBTQ+ Youth: A Discussion
WHEN: Sundays April 11 and 25th at 11:30 am on Zoom
Ross Murray is the Director of Programs, Global and U.S. South, at GLAAD. GLAAD proactively works with the many media outlets to ensure they cover LGBTQ issues – and responds when stories are not fair and accurate. Ross speaks and writes frequently about the relationship between religion, faith and LGBTQ people.
In April of 2016, Ross was consecrated as a deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Ross is also a founder and director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth (www.thenamingproject.org). Ross holds a BA in Youth & Family Ministry from Augsburg College, and MA in Outreach & Discipleship from Luther Seminary. Ross currently lives in New York City with his husband, Richard Garnett.
Through the debates about the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of the church, one overlooked community is LGBTQ youth. In response, Ross has written Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry. The book builds on experience and wisdom cultivated through The Naming Project. It will be released on April 20, 2021; for more information, visit www.madeknownloved.org.
Formed at a time when the overlap of such categories was unthinkable, The Naming Project provides spaces where youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities can be safe and affirmed in their identity and faith. Based on that ministry, Ross wrote Made, Known, Loved, which seeks to help faith leaders and parents examine the values of their congregation so that they can better minister to queer youth. It focuses on helping them feel safe and respected as beloved children of God.
We are inviting Ross to lead two livestreamed discussion sessions on Zoom with members of St. Mark’s and our FM community on these dates:
Zoom meeting link to pre-register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85186855503?pwd=S1pkUkFiajJNTlZzdnpyOUFaNWtxdz09
In April of 2016, Ross was consecrated as a deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Ross is also a founder and director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth (www.thenamingproject.org). Ross holds a BA in Youth & Family Ministry from Augsburg College, and MA in Outreach & Discipleship from Luther Seminary. Ross currently lives in New York City with his husband, Richard Garnett.
Through the debates about the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of the church, one overlooked community is LGBTQ youth. In response, Ross has written Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry. The book builds on experience and wisdom cultivated through The Naming Project. It will be released on April 20, 2021; for more information, visit www.madeknownloved.org.
Formed at a time when the overlap of such categories was unthinkable, The Naming Project provides spaces where youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities can be safe and affirmed in their identity and faith. Based on that ministry, Ross wrote Made, Known, Loved, which seeks to help faith leaders and parents examine the values of their congregation so that they can better minister to queer youth. It focuses on helping them feel safe and respected as beloved children of God.
We are inviting Ross to lead two livestreamed discussion sessions on Zoom with members of St. Mark’s and our FM community on these dates:
- Session 1 – April 11 at 11:30 am: What are the current emotional, social and spiritual needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families?
- Session 2 – April 25 at 11:30 am: How can faith leaders and communities better support and assist our LGBTQ+ youth and their families on a local level?
Zoom meeting link to pre-register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85186855503?pwd=S1pkUkFiajJNTlZzdnpyOUFaNWtxdz09
PREVIOUS BOOK STUDIES
Lenten Book Study
WHEN: Sundays February 21, March 7, 14 and 21 at 11:30 am on Zoom
David B. Myers, a member of Temple Beth El will be leading a weekly discussion on the book:
The Misunderstood Jew: The Church & the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine.
In her book, Levine reviews the stories of Jesus and the teachings of Paul, explaining various matters from a Jewish perspective—pointing out how both were often more traditionally Jewish than most readers perceive. David B. Myers is a retired professor of philosophy (who taught world religions and philosophy of religion), a convert to Judaism (raised a Methodist in Houston), member of Temple Beth El Board of Directors, founder of one of first interfaith organizations in the region, and author of a recent work of theological fiction: Did God Die on the Way to Houston? A Queer Tale (July 2020).
We are inviting people from St Mark’s and Temple Beth El (as well as other interested individuals) to join together in this discussion group. There will be four sessions that will take place on Zoom, starting at 11:30 am on Sundays (after St. Mark’s fellowship hour). Our first session will be February 21, and the other three sessions will be March 7, 14 and 21 (we’re skipping Feb. 28).
You do not need to commit to attending every session—you are welcome to attend the dates that work for you. For each session, we will read these chapters of the book:
Here is the Zoom meeting link (you need to pre-register) for all four sessions (or click on the button below):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcuuhrTMuE9I7FYMGqX_Kq9TS7EwBDLyL
The Misunderstood Jew: The Church & the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine.
In her book, Levine reviews the stories of Jesus and the teachings of Paul, explaining various matters from a Jewish perspective—pointing out how both were often more traditionally Jewish than most readers perceive. David B. Myers is a retired professor of philosophy (who taught world religions and philosophy of religion), a convert to Judaism (raised a Methodist in Houston), member of Temple Beth El Board of Directors, founder of one of first interfaith organizations in the region, and author of a recent work of theological fiction: Did God Die on the Way to Houston? A Queer Tale (July 2020).
We are inviting people from St Mark’s and Temple Beth El (as well as other interested individuals) to join together in this discussion group. There will be four sessions that will take place on Zoom, starting at 11:30 am on Sundays (after St. Mark’s fellowship hour). Our first session will be February 21, and the other three sessions will be March 7, 14 and 21 (we’re skipping Feb. 28).
You do not need to commit to attending every session—you are welcome to attend the dates that work for you. For each session, we will read these chapters of the book:
- Session 1 – Feb. 21: Intro and Chapter 1
- Session 2 – March 7: Chapter 2
- Session 3 – March 14: Chapter 3
- Session 4 – March 21: Chapter 4 (the book has 7 chapters, but we are only discussing the first four)
Here is the Zoom meeting link (you need to pre-register) for all four sessions (or click on the button below):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcuuhrTMuE9I7FYMGqX_Kq9TS7EwBDLyL
Handout for Session 1 - February 21: Introduction and Chapter 1
| handout_-_misunderstood_jew_chap_1[1441].pdf |
Handout for Session 2 - March 7: Chapter 2
| the_misunderstood_jew_-_chapter_2.pdf |
Anti-Racism Reading Circle
WHEN: October 29, November 5, 12 and 19; 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom
Our Education Committee is offering a book discussion group based on Dear Church, A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S., by Pastor Lenny Duncan.
Join us for reading, self-reflection, and conversation in the context of our faith and commitment to anti-racist action as we work together on ourselves and our congregation. Pastor Joe will lead the group, but the discussion will be open to what participants want to discuss.
Lenny Duncan is the unlikeliest of pastors. Formerly incarcerated, he is now a black preacher in the whitest denomination in the United States: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Shifting demographics and shrinking congregations make all the headlines, but Duncan sees something else at work—drawing a direct line between the church’s lack of diversity and lack of vitality.
Part manifesto, part confession, and all love letter, Dear Church offers a bold new vision for the future of Duncan’s denomination and each community of faith. Dear Church rejects the narrative of church decline and calls everyone—clergy and laity alike—to the front lines of the church’s renewal through racial equality and justice. It’s time for the church to rise up, dust itself off, and take on forces of this world that act against God: whiteness, misogyny, nationalism, homophobia, and economic injustice. Duncan gives a blueprint for the way forward as we week to follow in the revolutionary path of Jesus.
GROUP DISCUSSION PLAN (read these chapters before each meeting):
FREE BOOKS: We have five free copies of Dear Church available. Please contact Naomi at admin@stmarkslutheranfargo or 701-235-5591 to reserve a copy and arrange pick-up. If you would rather purchase the book, a link to Amazon is below.
Join us for reading, self-reflection, and conversation in the context of our faith and commitment to anti-racist action as we work together on ourselves and our congregation. Pastor Joe will lead the group, but the discussion will be open to what participants want to discuss.
Lenny Duncan is the unlikeliest of pastors. Formerly incarcerated, he is now a black preacher in the whitest denomination in the United States: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Shifting demographics and shrinking congregations make all the headlines, but Duncan sees something else at work—drawing a direct line between the church’s lack of diversity and lack of vitality.
Part manifesto, part confession, and all love letter, Dear Church offers a bold new vision for the future of Duncan’s denomination and each community of faith. Dear Church rejects the narrative of church decline and calls everyone—clergy and laity alike—to the front lines of the church’s renewal through racial equality and justice. It’s time for the church to rise up, dust itself off, and take on forces of this world that act against God: whiteness, misogyny, nationalism, homophobia, and economic injustice. Duncan gives a blueprint for the way forward as we week to follow in the revolutionary path of Jesus.
GROUP DISCUSSION PLAN (read these chapters before each meeting):
- WEEK 1 - Oct. 29: Introduction and Part 1: “Dismantling White Supremacy” (Chapters 1-5)
- WEEK 2 – Nov. 5: Part II: “Grace is an Ever-Widening Circle (Chapters 6-8)
- WEEK 3 – Nov. 12: Part III: The Church Can Lead the Way (Chapters 9-11)
- WEEK 4 – Nov. 19: What’s next? Reflection on the past three weeks and conversation around our anti-racist actions as individuals, as a congregation and as a denomination.
FREE BOOKS: We have five free copies of Dear Church available. Please contact Naomi at admin@stmarkslutheranfargo or 701-235-5591 to reserve a copy and arrange pick-up. If you would rather purchase the book, a link to Amazon is below.
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multifaith World
by Brian McLaren
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When four religious leaders walk across the road, it's not the beginning of a joke. It's the start of one of the most important conversations in today's world.
Can you be a committed Christian without having to condemn or convert people of other faiths? Is it possible to affirm other religious traditions without watering down your own? In his most important book yet, widely acclaimed author and speaker Brian McLaren proposes a new faith alternative, one built on "benevolence and solidarity rather than rivalry and hostility." This way of being Christian is strong but doesn't strong-arm anyone, going beyond mere tolerance to vigorous hospitality toward, interest in, and collaboration with the other. Blending history, narrative, and brilliant insight, McLaren shows readers step-by-step how to reclaim this strong-benevolent faith, challenging us to stop creating barriers in the name of God and learn how affirming other religions can strengthen our commitment to our own. And in doing so, he invites Christians to become more Christ-like than ever before. |
