GCN Conference 2009- Day One

Something that I've mentioned in early blog posts is that I have the privilege of working with a group called the Gay Christian Network (GCN) as a member and a volunteer. GCN has been a ministry that I really can get behind and I've been blessed even as I work for them. The purpose of this forum-based community is to connect people with those who identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered and Christian with others like them, supporters, and friends and family members that are supportive and/or are searching for answers about what God is doing in this community.

Each year, this world-wide network hosts a conference in a major city in the United States. Last year was Washington, D.C. This year was Anaheim and it was my first conference. I've always been involved heavily with whatever church or ministry that I'm a part of, so I immediately volunteered to help out when I realized that I could go to this conference.

Sometime this last spring, a friend of mine contacted me to say "I'm helping coordinate the conference and I wanted to know if you're able to do this." She offered me the position of Publicity Director- I would make the printed materials needed for the conference. Well, I know my way around Publisher and I know what tends to be the best layout for this type of thing. I've attended a lot of conferences. So I said yes and we got rolling.

Getting the program printed was a bit of a nightmare. Unfortunately, schedules tend to wait until the last minute before they're finalized. In addition to this, the night I was hoping to have it finished, my dear Yoshihiro (my laptop) decided that he was going to throw a temper tantrum and not open things properly. I ended up being that crazy looking lady in the airport who has her lunch sitting next to her with her laptop in her lap and a cell phone in her ear, calling around and confirming everything. Still, the programs got printed, they looked awesome, and they got to the hotel early enough to be prepped for registration.

So how did I experience conference? Mostly, it was from the back of the room. Things kicked off Thursday with me learning how to run the program for the projection stuff during the services. I tried to stay as on hand as possible for Chris and Dennis, just basically being their minion of sorts. I absolutely love the job, by the way. They are two amazing people who are fired up for the Lord and just want to serve. Working with them was a blessing. I had dinner with my English roommate, got to talk to a few conference attendees down in the hotel cafe, and then headed up to help out with registration while the regular volunteers got dinner. It was so amazing to have the chance to meet so many people as they were registering. I think things got a little like a whirlwind at one point, but to see so many people registered...

I had a really great opportunity during the general session too. Just after the worship, I ducked out to visit the restroom and Nate from the office was wandering around. He needed more supplies but didn't have a way to get anywhere. Can you say field trip? We hopped into my truck and took off to Target. I loved that evening with Nate, just heading out, getting things done, and talking while we're at it. After cutting a bunch of cards for name tags and ribbon for identifying those who are ok with photos, I spent a while peeling the backs off of avatar photo stickers and just being available for answering questions. I love to be helpful, I really do. I feel like I get more out of an event when I can serve than when I am served.

After things wrapped up a little, I just went and crashed in bed. It wasn't pretty. Friday through Sunday left to talk about. Stay tuned!

ISPOMGBBQ

My boyfriend said something to me recently that got me thinking just a little bit. He said, "I love surprises, but I hate anticipation." He was referring to the fact that, as a planner, I occasionally hint at the fact that a surprise is coming, but let his imagination fill in the blanks. To be rather frankly honest, I enjoy doing such things.

However, today I find myself on the other side of things, waiting in anticipation for information that I desire. The International Service Project team reveal is tomorrow and I want to know where I'm going. Part of it is so that I can figure out if I'll be able to go to a friend's wedding or if there's a chance I'll miss it entirely. Part of it is so that I will have the satisfaction of knowing where it is that I'm heading.

The ISP program is something that is really important to me. I have a lifelong goal to work in the same type of capacity on a permanent, career basis. Still, this biting of the nails is going to drive me slowly insane. The worst part of it is that it's a three hour meeting and they don't tell you your destination until the end of the night.

Despite this, I am excited. I may join old team members for another adventure. I will be going to a brand new country. And I will be serving the coolest, most amazing God that mankind has ever had the privilage of worshipping.

No Props for Prop 8- Part 2

Last night was Halloween. As you can guess, I saw a lot of things that I don't typically see. After all, I was dressed as a witch. How often do you see a pirate, a sniper, a witch, a princess, and Master Chief wandering down a sidewalk together?

What really bothered me, though, was how many people I saw carrying around Yes/No on Prop 8 signs. (No, they didn't say both options- I just saw both types of sign.) It's Halloween- a time for fun and frivolity, not for political statements.

What really concerns me about this proposition is the potential ramifications that such a proposition may have on the GLBT community and the huge rift that is there between the Christian church as a whole and the community itself. You see, many churches react badly to a member of the church coming out of the closet. They demand that the person either leave the church or try to change who they are, go through things called ex-gay ministries. I'm not going to reference any specific ones here, because I think they're really more damaging than they benefit people. It's rare to have success stories that really last a lifetime, that don't leave the person damaged. Besides, a straight person wouldn't ever be forced to become gay, would they? Of course not. That's their nature.

The problem is that people assume that by identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, you are automatically sinning. However, it is not until one actually acts on such an urge that a sin is being transgressed. I am in full support of those who identify as gay Christians and also identify as celebate as far as their homosexual urges go. I feel that by such a blatant refusal to give the GLBT community something that they've asked, to exclude them from something so important in our society, just brings more discrimination against them. Here's the kicker- A person who is gay is no different from you or me.

If the church could get to that point and deal with the issue of sin without condemning the person, what a revolution could be had!