Reconciling in Christ
The Fifth Annual "Welcome One Another Fellowship Retreat"
Click here for the 2012 Welcome One Another Retreat Brochure
for Lutheran lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual persons will be held Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Walker Center in Auburndale, Massachusetts (suburban Boston). This year's retreat leader will be the Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, Episcopal Chaplain at Boston University and a transgender man. Plenary sessions with Dr. Patridge will lead participants into a greater awareness of the lives, stories, and witness of transgender persons. The retreat includes worship, fellowship, conversation, and large and small group sessions. The $220.00 registration fee covers two nights lodging, all meals on Saturday (including evening dinner in Boston), and breakfast on Sunday. The retreat concludes Sunday morning with a celebration of the Eucharist with Dr. Partridge preaching. Registration is done online at the Synod website with a deadline of Saturday, March 31st. The retreat is hosted by the New England Synod's Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Understanding. For more information, please contact Pastor Nathan Pipho at 617-328-8348 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Pictured here are participants at the 4th Annual “Welcome One Another Fellowship Retreat” held May 6-8, 2011. At last year’s retreat, Pastor Bradley Schmeling shared his personal journey into ministry, removal from the ELCA clergy roster in 2007 as a result of his same-gender relationship, and restoration to the roster in 2010 after policy changes at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Pastor Schmeling serves St. John Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
The retreat is open to all persons who desire to be in community with LGBT persons around topics of interest and importance and is a mix of LGBT and heterosexual persons. Worship – including Eucharist on Sunday morning, large group presentations, small group sharing, fellowship, and meals are part of the experience. Registration Fees cover two nights lodging, all meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday morning. Dinner on Saturday is at Club Café Restaurant in Boston.
This year, the Task Force is excited to welcome the Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge to the retreat to lead large group presentations introducing participants to the
lives, witness, joys, and struggles, of transgender persons. Dr. Partridge himself is a transgender man who currently serves as the Episcopal Chaplain at Boston University and guest lecturer at Harvard University and Harvard Divinity School.
About the Synod Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Understanding
The Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Understanding of the New England Synod is comprised of clergy and lay persons committed to promoting understanding and welcome of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Christians in the congregations of the synod. The Task Force includes an “RIC Working Group” that focuses specifically on working with congregations to become Reconciling in Christ congregations. Task Force members are available as a resource for individuals and congregations who are seeking to learn more about how they can provide genuine and intentional welcome to GLBT persons in their congregations and communities.
The Task Force meets quarterly at the Synod House in Worcester. The RIC Working Group meets monthly via Conference Call.
For more information about the Task Force or RIC Working Group, or to arrange a consultation in your congregation, please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Chair, Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Understanding Office Phone: 617-328-8348.
