A Different Conversation 2012

What would Jesus look and act like during Mardi Gras?

• March 3rd-4th 2012
• Oasis Youth Support Network, 365 Crown St, Surry Hills

After successfully hosting A Different Conversation in previous years, we are once again opening up the conversation and encouraging dialogue between LGBTI community leaders, Christian leaders, and you and me so as to respectfully hear each other’s different approaches. We’re inviting you into a discussion where you may not agree with everybody in the room but your very presence can show a different way forward for the church and the LGBTI community together.

CONFIRMED speakers include:

• Rev. Matt Glover [former pastor of Lilydale Baptist Church, Melbourne]
• Rodney Croome [Australian Marriage Equality]
• Rev. Rod Benson [Public Affairs Director, NSW Council of Churches]
• Jon Owen [Urban Neighbours of Hope]
• Paul Martin [Principal Psychologist, Centre for Human Potential]
• Major Paul Moulds [Salvation Army, Oasis Youth Support Network]
• Anthony Venn-Brown [Author "A Life of Unlearning"; Founder and Director of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI)]
• Rev. Cathryn McKinney [St Martins Community Church, Melbourne]
• Kristine Morrison [Baptist Union Social Issues Committee]
• Rev. Mike Hercock [Pastor, Imagine - Surry Hills Baptist Church; Founder, 100 Revs]
• Craig from the documentary "Holding Hands"

Saturday 03 March

Where We’ve Come From: Sexual Identity and Faith Identity

• Arrive from 9:30am. Tea and coffee will be available.
• We will start promptly at 10:00am.
• Rev. Mike Hercock – Introduction
• Craig – “Holding Hands”
• Jon Owen – Muddy Spirituality and Sexual Identity
• Paul Martin
• Break for lunch
• Bibs Sowe
• Anthony Venn-Brown – A History of Homosexuality and Mardi Gras in
• Australia
• Rev. Matt Glover
• Panel Discussion facilitated by Rev. Cathryn McKinney, with Rev. Glen Powell and Karl Hand.
• Break for afternoon tea
• Sexual Identity and Gender
• Rev. Mike Hercock – Masculinity in a Sexually Diverse World
• Rev. Cathryn McKinney – The Feminine in a Sexually Diverse World
• Break into groups for Mardi Gras tour.

Sunday 04 March

Where We’re Going: Colliding Issues of Same Sex Marriage and Faith Identity; Community Relationship and Pastoral Relationship.

• Arrive from 9:30am. Tea and coffee will be available.
• We will start promptly at 10:00am.
• Rev. Mike Hercock
• Major Paul Moulds
• Rodney Croome
• Panel Discussion
• Break for lunch
• Paul Martin
• Kristine Morrison – Presentation of paper.
• Rev. Rod Benson
• Break for afternoon tea
• Rev. Matt Glover
• Pastoral discussion (Pastors must register separately to participate in this discussion)

Registration

If you or your friends have not registered we strongly encourage you to do so in the next few days as we will only allow those who are registered to attend on the day and we will be full. The numbers matter as we want the time for people to participate in an experience of dialogue and relationship not another lecture.

If you or your friends have not registered we strongly encourage you to do so in the next few days as we will only allow those who are registered to attend on the day and we will be full. The numbers matter as we want the time for people to participate in an experience of dialogue and relationship not another lecture.

When registering please consider the following:

• Am I able to respectfully listen to people’s perspectives that are different to my own, and respond in a respectful manner?
• The stories and some of the individuals participating will be in vulnerable and fragile places; can I sit with their discomfort without making judgment?

There will be particular times for small group pastoral discussion and we will need you to register your interest in participating in this smaller group of pastors as what will be shared will be confidential. Contact Rhett [rhett@imagine.org.au] if you wish to register for this group.

If you are wanting to go on a guided experience of the Mardi Gras parade on the Saturday night please let us know as we will be going out in smaller groups and we need to know numbers for this also.

This is an opportunity for Christians to show an act of reconciling these tensions in relationship and for thoughtful discussion rather than reacting to or through the media.

Cost: $100 for both days, or $60 for Saturday only, $50 for Sunday only. If finances are an issue, flick us an email.

To register, please email: Rhett Pearson with the following details.

NAME:       
ADDRESS:    
EMAIL:      
MOBILE:     

[  ]  Both days. ($100)
[  ]  Saturday 10 AM TO 4 PM + Parade. ($60)
[  ]  Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM  ($50)

Make payments by Bank transfer to Imagine, BSB 062258, Account 10959472. (Please use ADC and your name as a reference.)

Location: 365 Crown St, Surry Hills

Salvation Army, Oasis Youth Support Network, 365 Crown St, Surry Hills