“With recent turmoil in our courts and churches, it is clearer than ever that homophobia and heterosexism must be addressed at their religious core. This nurturing retreat will provide tools for such challenging spiritual work."
- Retreat Facilitator, Pastor Jacki Belile
Befriending
the Bible: A Retreat for GLBT People Seeking Peace with God
November
18-20, 2005
Sawyer, Michigan
This retreat includes study, fellowship and worship for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the process of coming out of the condemning closet. The retreat will be facilitated by Rev. Jacki Belile, the pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Chicago. Pastor Jacki leads groups through a model of biblical interpretation called CARE. This process affirms the roles of the written and living Word of God, as well as the truths of our own lives. Texts examined will include the “clobber passages” used as weapons against glbt people, as well as texts with positive images/themes for a maturing Christian spirituality for people of all sexual orientations. Together, we will embrace the peace which Christ intends for us and grow in our capacity for LIVING God’s acceptance.
Retreat Facilitator: Rev. Jacki Belile, M.Div., is the pastor of Grace
Baptist Church (ABC-USA) in Chicago. Jacki grew up in a
fundamentalist Baptist church and graduated from evangelical
Taylor University. In 1990 she moved to Chicago with her partner
to find acceptance and healing in a “welcoming church.”
After completing her M. Div. at Chicago Theological Seminary
she became the first openly gay or lesbian person approved for
ordination within the American Baptist denomination. Her ministry
is dedicated to nurturing Christians of all sexual orientations in a
maturing life of wisdom, humility and spiritual authority for personal
peace and social justice.
Early Bird
Registration now through September 30th.
Final registration
deadline is November 8.
The retreat center is located in Sawyer, Michigan. Lake Michigan is only a short walk away and the lodge provides a quiet place to study and relax.
Early registration cost: $110 per person before September 30. Regular registration cost: $145 per person. Cost includes lodging, food (Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch) and program materials. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation letter or email - let us know which form of communication you prefer. Copy and fill out the information below. Feel free to mail it in or email the information to jmclibrarian@yahoo.com.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Dietary or other hospitality needs:
Denominational affiliation or history:
Please return this form with your registration check to Grace Baptist Church 5253 North Kenmore, Chicago IL 60640 or send an email to GBCFriends@aol.com or jmclibrarian@yahoo.com. You are welcome to call the church office at 773-334-9003 or Joyce at 773-909-9103 with additional questions.*The content of this retreat is the sole responsibility of Grace Baptist Church, which is not affiliated with Tower Hill Camp.