Sexuality & Scriptures Conference
4th annual Sexuality & Scriptures Conference in OKC
“Legislating Sexual Ethics Then and Now”
Thursday, Friday, Saturday — March 3, 4, 5
Mayflower Congregational Church, 63rd & May, OKC
Organizers of Oklahoma City’s fourth annual Sexuality & Scriptures Conference: “Legislating Sexual Ethics Then and Now” say that all persons are affected by religious and civil efforts to legislate sexual ethics. “This conference will foster dialogue and informed, integrated views on sexuality, spirituality, and faith,” said Church of the Open Arms pastor Rev. Kathy McCallie, one of the religious leaders organizing the conference.
“Spirituality and sexuality fuel each other, producing power that people in authority have always sought to control,” McCallie said. “Responsible freedom in this area of our lives is part of healing the injustices and brokenness of the world.”
On Thursday evening, at 7 pm, the conference will begin with a panel of presenters including Rabbi Barry Cohen of Temple B’nai Israel, University of Oklahoma professor Julia Erhardt, and other Oklahoma City clergy. On Friday evening, at 7 pm. Rev. Kevin McLemore from Houston, TX, will offer a keynote address. McLemore was the organizing pastor of Oklahoma City’s Cathedral of Hope. Refreshments and dialogue will follow the presentations on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Saturday workshop titles include: “Sacredness of Sexuality,” “Psychological and Emotional Issues,” “Authority of Scripture,” “Bisexuality,” “Feminist Liberation and Erotic Power,” “Theology of Marriage,” and others. “Although controversy over homosexuality is often the catalyst for discussions such as these, heterosexual as well as homosexual persons must be committed to promoting learning and dialogue on these issues,” McCallie said.
Conference events will be held at Mayflower Congregational Church, 3901 NW 63rd Street, one of the seven local congregations sponsoring the events. Other sponsoring churches include First Unitarian, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Epworth Methodist, Cathedral of Hope-OKC, Clegg Memorial United Methodist, and Church of the Open Arms, according to McCallie. The seven congregations sponsoring the conference affirm that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their relationships are of equal sacred value with all others, and are neither sick nor sinful.
Registration information and a detailed brochure are available at 525-2346 or 525-9555.