Queer Bible Study is BACK! All LGBTQ+ folx are invited to join this gathering “for us by us.” We hold space for one another to reflect on our (often) complicated relationship with scripture. Together we wrestle with and reclaim some good news from the Bible by putting it in conversation with our queer experience. RSVP at imcpherson@unitedchurch.org.

REGISTER HERE AND MAKE AN ONLINE PAYMENT HERE Both are required. Registration Deadline: Monday, September 16, 2019 This seminar is sponsored by the Open and Affirming Committee (ONA) and the Board of Adult Education. The intent of the Seminar is to show that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as some churches continue to teach. In order to better understand certain scriptures, participants will look at the writings of ancient scrolls through the influences of ancient Middle Eastern traditions, Hebrew traditions, Greek and Roman traditions, and early Christian situations. Participants will also look at the difference between translating a word and interpreting it; the difference between historical-critical reading vs. literal reading; defining sexuality and spirituality; the danger of picking and choosing scripture passages, and the challenge to question scriptures. Scripture covered will be from Deuteronomy, Genesis, Judges, Leviticus, Romans, Matthew, 1st Corinthians, 1st Timothy and Romans. Facilitator for the Seminar will be the Reverend Harry Stock. He completed five years of study in the West Virginia School of Religion (Order of Jerusalem), received a BA Degree from West Virginia University and received a Masters of Divinity Degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained an Episcopal Priest in 1981 and served in the Diocese of Washington, DC. He later transferred his credentials to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and was ordained in UFMCC in 1991. He served as Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Disciples in Washington, DC for fourteen years and served on the faculty of Samaritan Institute of Religious Studies for ten years where he taught “Homosexuality and the Bible” and “Introduction to Sexuality Studies.” He is the founder and president of Scrolls Revealed Ministries, LLC and he is currently serving as Parish Partner at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and lives with his partner of 40 years in Waldorf, Maryland.   Fee: A tax-deductible registration of $20.00 made payable to United Church of Chapel Hill will include refreshments during registration, a binder with all working materials and lunch.

Have you ever wondered what all of the letters in LGBTQIA mean? Do you know why pronouns are important? What does gender non-conforming mean? If you have these questions and others, the Open and Affirming Committee (ONA) would like to invite you to the LGBTQIA + 101 workshop to be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM in the Assembly Hall. Lunch will be provided. There is no fee for this session but registration is required. Facilitator for the workshop will be Angel Collie, Assistant Director, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity at Duke University. REGISTER HERE Deadline for registration: Wednesday, September 11, 2019