Gateway ONA Annual Convocation 2025

Gateway Open & Affirming Coalition

Join us at the Gateway ONA Annual Convocation 2025 for a day of learning, worshiping, and fun on March 1st!

Parkway United Church-Christ

Join us for a day of learning, fellowship, and mentorship as we learn everything from what it means to be ONA and how to futher live into your ONA convanet to learning about legislative issues and how to create inclusive worship! We are honored to be joined by Rev. Dr. Dave Long-Higgins who will be providing our keynote address after the opening worship service and will also be leading a workshop later in the day! During worship we will partake in the sacrament of Communion. There will be individually wrapped juice &amp; gluten free wafers. There will be a free-will offering collected during the service, as well as baskets all day available for donations. Offering will be collected for the UCC ONA Coalition and the AllianceQ of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The General offering will be split accordingly. You will also have the options to designate your offering to either the ONA groups. QR Codes will be available to give virtually. There will be a light breakfast provided. We ask that you bring a closed-lid coffee cup or travel mug for your drink consumption for the day. We will provide a lunch with gluten free &amp; vegetarian options as well. We will be collecting canned goods for Doorways. Bring your canned goods with you the day of and we will have a box for them!

Workshop Descriptions Creating a More Inclusive Liturgy and Worship ExperienceLeader: Rev. Dr. Wendy Bruner (she/her/hers), Rev. Jen Einspahr (she/her/hers)In this workshop we will explore ways to create a worship experience that is inclusive. We will talk about strategies to broaden the circle of belonging for people who have often been excluded and sometimes completely forgotten in places of worship. The participants will look at ways to incorporate liturgy, music and sermon content that provide an opportunity to move toward a beloved community.Wendy Bruner and Jen Einspahr are pastors at Peace United Church of Christ in Webster Groves. They are part of a congregation who strives to join God’s work in the world in the hope of achieving God’s dream for shalom – comprehensive well-being – for all creation. Biblical “Clobber” TextsLeader: Rev. Dr. Clint McCann (he/him/his) There are biblical texts that are too frequently used by some to condemn homosexuality, in effect, to "clobber" LGBTQIA+ folks with the Bible. It is always an abuse of scripture when it is used as a weapon to hurt and demean others. Such abusive use of the Bible most often occurs when biblical texts are read apart from their historical and cultural contexts. This workshop will examine the "clobber" texts in their historical and cultural contexts in the ancient world and against contemporary understandings of human sexuality.   Clint McCann is the Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, MO.   Gender Inclusivity     Leader: Jordan Braxton (she/her/hers)This will be an eye-opening workshop focusing on a basic understanding of LGBTQIA+ terms. It will also explore and focus on gender expressions, gender identity, sexual orientation and the use of personal pronouns. It concludes with the importance of being an Ally.Jordan Braxton has been active in the St. Louis LGBTQIA community for over 35 years, raising countless dollars and serving in many leadership capacities. Jordan is honored to be a member of the Board of Pride St. Louis, Inc. as the Director of Public Relations. Jordan is also the Vice President of Black Pride St. Louis and TransParent, and the Chairperson of the City of St. Louis Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board.  Changing Hearts and Minds Leader: Jeanette Mott Oxford (ze/zir/zirs) Your uncle makes an offensive joke about gay people. Church members don’t use other members’ preferred pronouns. Your state legislator repeatedly files anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. As a person of faith, an advocate for justice, and an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, how do you respond? This workshop looks at techniques that have worked to break down prejudice and stigma for the sake of better relationships and just policies and practices in families, communities, and institutions. Participants will also be invited to role play some challenging situations so that we feel more confident when it’s our turn to step up and speak out.Jeanette Mott Oxford is a member of Epiphany United Church of Christ, a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, the first out lesbian to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives (2005-2012), and former executive director of two statewide not-for-profits advocating for the end of poverty. Ze is active in justice advocacy as president of the board of directors for the Consumers Council of Missouri and as a member of the Epiphany Church Council. Be A Rainbow in a Sea of Red: 10 Tips for Effective Allyship in MissouriLeader: Deborah Reinhardt (she/her/hers) This workshop will offer 10 ideas to help you build your work as an ally for LGBTQ+ people in a state that currently has a super majority of conservative politicians in its statehouse and in many cities. Now more than ever, straight allies are needed to advocate with and support Missouri's LGBTQ+ citizens. It will offer practical steps and helpful resources for straight allies to bring messages of inclusion and acceptance to congregations and communities in Missouri.Deborah Reinhardt's work to support LGBTQ+ folk in Missouri has included helping to organize a local chapter of Free Mom Hugs and leading a support group for friends and family of LGBTQ+ people at a local church. In 2024, Deborah convened the LGBTQ+ Faith Alliance, an interfaith group representing more than 30 area affirming faith communities, which equips its members with resources and action items to help spread God's love for all people into the metro area.  ONA 101: The ONA Process  Leader: Barb Biedenstein (she/her/hers) The public declaration of welcome by an Open &amp; Affirming church sends a clear message to LGBTQIA people and their families that they have a safe home in that congregation. Achieving this process takes time and planning and needs to ensure that all voices in the church are heard. This process utilizes materials created by the ecumenical group “Building an Inclusive Church.” This workshop will outline the steps of the recommended ONA process and resources that are readily available.   Barb Biedenstein is a long-standing member of and serves as the secretary of Gateway ONA.  She has attended and studied the Building an Inclusive Church training and serves as the ONA coach for St. Louis and Eastern Missouri area churches.  Cultivating the Ground for ONA Through Our Whole LivesLeader: Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins (he/him/his)For nearly twenty years, Revs. David and Beth Long-Higgins co-led the Our Whole Lives program with other lay leaders in their church.  This monthly program of human sexuality conversations for 5th and 6th graders included a simultaneous program for parents that over time cultivated a culture of readiness for David’s United Church of Christ congregation to become an Open &amp; Affirming church.  This workshop will describe the PAKT 56 (Parents and Kids Together in the 5th and 6th Grade) program and how it helped create an openness for the larger ONA conversation that engaged the entire congregation.David Long-Higgins is the Conference Minister for the Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ. In 2024, David and Beth were recipients of the Courage Ally Award at the Open &amp; Affirming Coalition’s National Gathering.  Stories from the Front: Treasuring Our Transgender ChildrenLeaders: Matt Lechner (he/him), Karen Rudolph (she/her), Lisa Brennan (she/her), Nancy Slusarski (she/her)  Everyone has an innate desire to love and be loved in return. Accepted and loved by God, everyone desires that acceptance, love and understanding from all humankind. More than just a discussion on transgender issues, these are the stories of our children, our neighbors, and our extended family.   Matt Lechner, Lisa Brennan, Karen Rudolph and Nancy Slusarski are all parents of transgender children and active in the TransParent organization of St. Louis &amp; St. Charles. They each have unique stories of their child's coming out as transgender and their journeys as families. ONA 201: Living into Your ONA CovenantLeader: Jill Baker (she/her/hers)We've voted, now what do we do? Come learn practical evangelism tips and steps to take after becoming Open &amp; Affirming. This workshop will touch on how you can be hosts, helpers and advocates.Jill Baker often speaks on how congregations can fully include the Queer community in the life of the church, and she is a trainer for the Building an Inclusive Church curriculum. Jill is also an affiliate faculty member and Director of Academic and Vocational Discernment at Eden Theological Seminary. She is the founder of Rainbow Camp in the Illinois South Conference UCC. “Can I Even Say Gay?” And Other LGBTQIA+ Language IssuesLeader: Krissy Avis-Rouse (they/them/she/her)This interactive session will help to answer your questions and provide strategies for dealing with the ever-changing language of queerness! Bring your questions and struggles and an open mind.Krissy Avise-Rouse is pastor of Epiphany United Church of Christ in St. Louis. As an out transfeminine, nonbinary, genderqueer human, Krissy uses they/them or she/her pronouns and is married to a quoi-gender middle school English teacher.   Legislative IssuesLeaders: Katy Erker-Lynch (she/they), Atem Richardson (they/them)Given the current and fast-changing political climate in this nation centering on the LGBTQIA community and its allies, it is difficult to keep track of what is going on and how to respond. This workshop will provide updates on LGBTQIA legislative issues at the local, state, and national levels.Katy Erker-Lynch and Atem Richardson represent PROMO Missouri, Missouri’s statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ equality in the Show-Me State. Grandparents Coming Out in Support of Their LGBTQ+ GrandchildrenLeader: Sherrill Wayland (she/her/they)Grandparents and grandchildren have significant and meaningful intergenerational relationships for caring and supporting one another. As more and more young people come out as LGBTQ+, grandparents are reaching out and want to learn about how they can best support their LGBTQ+ grandchildren. This session will introduce you to the toolkit, Supporting Your LGBTQ Grandchild. Developed by SAGE and PFLAG, this toolkit is a welcome addition to intergenerational support for grandparents and grandchildren.Sherrill Wayland was the founder of SAGE Metro St. Louis (now SAGE of PROMO Fund) and has served SAGE locally and nationally. The SAGE of PROMO Fund strives to enhance the quality of life of LGBTQ+ older adults through service, advocacy and community awareness.

Agenda

Displays are in the Gathering Area
Refreshments are in the Fellowship Hall

On-site check-in and registration

Opening Worship with Holy Communion. Keynote Address: Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins. Introduction to workshop leaders and locations.

Gathering in the Sanctuary: Welcome!

Creating a More Inclusive Liturgy and Worship Experience | Biblical “Clobber” Texts | Gender Inclusivity | Changing Hearts and Minds | Be a Rainbow in a Sea of Red: 10 Tips for Effective Allyship

Workshops: Session 1

ONA 101: ONA Process | Biblical “Clobber” Texts | Cultivating the Ground for ONA Through Our Whole Lives | Stories from the Front: Treasuring Our Transgender Children

Workshops: Session 2

Lunch in the Fellowship Hall

ONA 201: Living into Your ONA Covenant | Can I Even Say “Gay”? And Other LGBTQIA Language Issues | Legislative Issues | Grandparents Coming Out in Support of their LGBTQ Grandchildren

Workshops: Session 3

Gathering Together in the Sanctuary

Closing Thought, Hymn, Benediction

End of the Convocation – Blessings to All

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Gateway ONA Annual Convocation 2025

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Gateway ONA Annual Convocation 2025

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