Refresh, Revival, Reunion
We are excited about the following workshops during the Transformational Weekend!
There will be two scheduled sessions allowing you to participate in multiple powerful learning experiences. Many will also be recorded and available following the Transformational Weekend.
Chanting in the Resistance
Presenter: Rev. Kerr Mesner
This workshop is for those who love to sing, those who think they can’t, and everyone in between! Together, we’ll learn some new resistance chants written by the facilitator, and revel in the joy of creating beautiful simple harmonies together. Singing together, with intention, can ground us, connect us, and support us in our activism. Join us as we chant and resist!
Finding God in the Forest
Presenter: Rev. Cristiano Valério
A sensory experience of worship through interconnection with the night. The Forest and its extraordinarily diverse ecosystem, as a metaphor for the Kingdom of God.
Ecotheology – Worship – Diversity
From Loving Neighbor to Trusting Co-Conspiration: Reimagining Ecumenical/Interfaith Work for Liberation
Our traditions teach us about the simplicity of loving our neighbor and our righteous duty to protect them. In uncertain times, this work can seem daunting when we don’t know what this work can look like and what impact it can have for our communities. This workshop is a space to learn about best practice for ecumenical and interfaith literacy, to understand the capabilities of faith communities to engage in civic/political work and determine the best courage of action and narrative to support the work of changing statuses quo of injustice that harm the most vulnerable among us.
Leading with Love Through Times of Chaos
Presenters: Rev. Elder Tony Freeman and Marie Tasker
“Leading With Love Through Times of Chaos,” is an inspiring workshop designed to equip leaders with the tools to navigate challenging times with compassion, resilience, and purpose. Rooted in powerful principles from authors like bell hooks and Audre Lorde, this session will explore self-care as an act of resistance, the importance of focus in advocacy, and the enduring power of hope. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow as a compassionate leader and light the way in turbulent times!
Money, Stewardship, Abundance
Presenter: Kirk Blandford
The Power of the Overabundant Life: BDSM and Polyamory
Presenter: Rev. Mario Bonfanti
Preserving the Panorama of MCC History
Presenter: Doris Malkmus
Queer & Christian: Reclaiming Faith in a Time of Backlash
Presenters: Rev. Brandan Robertson and Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
In a time when LGBTQ+ lives and faith are both under siege—by Christian nationalism, rising anti-queer legislation, and theological exclusion—what does it mean to claim and proclaim an unapologetically Queer and Christian identity?
This bold and timely conversation brings together two of the most respected voices in progressive Christianity: Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, former Moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), and Rev. Brandan Robertson, a leading public theologian and author of the forthcoming book Queer & Christian: Reclaiming Our Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table. Together, they will engage in a spirited and heartfelt dialogue exploring the intersections of queerness, spirituality, and social change.
Queer Fiction: Stories that Transform Faith and Inspire Change
Presenter: Teri Tompkins
Reclaiming and Reimagining the Next Reformation
Presenters: Rev. Elder Lillie Brock and Rev. Lauren Bennett
In a post-pandemic world of spirituality, we must accept and embrace the fact that the spiritual landscape has changed dramatically and the old structures that support our old notions of “church” will keep us from meeting this new moment. MCC has MANY things that give us an advantage in this landscape so it’s time to embrace those things while also shifting how we think about our work in the world. This workshop will lay out the landscape, offer tools for making radical shifts, and together, we will inspire one another to meet this moment in history.
Rooted & Rising: Cultivating New Faith Communities in MCC
Presenter: Rev. Wanda Floyd
Across the globe, God is stirring hearts and communities to imagine new ways of being church. Rooted & Rising is a dynamic workshop designed for future leaders or curiosity seekers in the sacred work of planting new faith communities within Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC).
Grounded in MCC’s commitment to radical inclusion, spiritual transformation, and social justice, this session explores how to plant faith communities that are both deeply rooted in local culture and rising with global vision. Through theological reflection, practical guidance, and stories from diverse international contexts, participants will gain tools for discerning call, building core teams, contextualizing ministry, and creating sustainable models for growth.
Whether you’re planting in a city, village, or online space, come ready to learn, share, and rise together in the Spirit’s movement around the world.
Sacred Activism – Preparing the Mind, Body and Spirit for the Work of Social Justice
Sacred Activism is activism inspired by one’s spiritual conviction. It is practiced by individuals or congregations with a strong sense for social justice to make their voice heard and it impacts their public witness to their community and world.
Sacred Activists of today can become disconnected when they do not focus on their own holistic health – mind, body, AND spirit. They can focus on improving their minds through intellectual stimulation and their bodies through physical exercise, but if they do not focus on their spiritual health, burn-out and disillusionment can easily creep in to place them on the shelf.
During this session, we will share from our current realities and challenges doing justice work as we learn from the past of resistance and activism that leads to a future grounded in life energy. We will also explore the topic of recovery from spiritual violence and incorporating spiritual justice into a journey towards self-actualization and creating a more just society.
Trauma-Informed Pastoral/Spiritual Care: It’s Individual… It’s Institutional…
Presenters: Dr. Carla Sherrell & Jakob Hero-Shaw
Increased awareness of trauma in recent years, in personal and professional contexts, has led to a growing understanding that organizations must provide trauma-informed services. This includes us in spiritual and religious contexts. Pastoral/Spiritual Care is a culturally proficient structure through which we may stay conscious of how we are individually going about being trauma-informed, and how that work is not separate from whether/how our churches (including our theologies) and broader communities, through policies and practices, are doing the same.
Our communities can be so vulnerable to trauma and retraumatization, especially now. In this workshop, through trauma-informed processes, we’ll define trauma—personally and systemically–and its impact bodily, emotionally, socially, mentally, and spiritually. We’ll explore much needed means of resisting retraumatization in Pastoral/Spiritual Care, and also re-empowerment of ourselves and our communities in local contexts and global connection. We’ll utilize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 4 R’s of Trauma-Informed Care as a learning tool.
This workshop is open to all who have an interest in co-creating trauma-informed spiritual communities.
What’s My Role and Where Do I Connect?
Presenters: Marie Tasker and Gisselle Blay
Whether you’re new to lay leadership or have been serving in MCC for years, this workshop is for you. Join us for a thoughtful, engaging session that explores the many ways lay leaders serve, grow, and connect within MCC—locally, in your network, and across the global movement.
Through stories, reflection, humor (yes, even a skit or two!), and practical guidance, we’ll explore questions many of us ask:
- Where do I fit in my church and in MCC as a whole?
- Why is working with others sometimes so challenging?
- What counts as ministry, really?
- And… does the Pastor actually have it easier than I do?
We’ll also highlight how you can deepen your leadership, discover your unique strengths, and find meaningful ways to contribute—whether you’re running tech, writing cards, organizing events, mentoring others, or shaping the future of the denomination.
Come ready to reflect, laugh, and leave with clarity about your role—and how you’re already part of something bigger.
Where the young people at?
Presenters: JT Priar and Rev. Patrick Landau
Do you look at your congregation and grow concerned about a lack of young adults? Do you look at all the regular things in life of your church and worry about having enough time to engage with young people? This interactive session will explore strategies to engage and reach young adults in your community. Take a look at other MCCs and maybe share some of the ways your church is engaging with young people. From social justice to social media, this is a time to brainstorm as a movement how we might create spiritual communities that are compelling in a new, uncharted spiritual landscape.
White People, My People: Four Mindsets for Dismantling Racism
Presenter: Evangeline Weiss
This 2 part affinity space is for white and white presenting people. Our time together aims to explore the ways we have assimilated into white supremacy culture – how we benefit and what the costs are, as well as practical tools for centering anti racism in our lives.
Part 1: in the first session we will recognize the impacts of white supremacy culture on our families, churches and communities. We will look at some pivot opportunities and ways of building more awareness of how our individual and collective white superiority can manifest in multiracial spaces.
Part 2: in the second part of this workshop, we will explore being antiracist and taking antiracist action in spaces where our voice is needed. We will practice calling in and moving past shame to an embodied place of awareness, even as we use skills to disrupt the status quo.
Wired for the Spirit: Innovating Faith in a Digital World
Presenter: Rev. Wanda Floyd
In a world where connection is just a click away, the Church has a powerful opportunity to reimagine how we share God’s love and foster community—both online and beyond the physical building.
Wired for the Spirit will introduce MCC’s Innovation Fund and how your church can benefit from it. You’ll hear real stories from congregations already supported by the fund and learn how your church can apply to enhance its digital ministry.
Through this workshop, you’ll explore how the fund can help your church:
- Assess and strengthen your current digital presence
- Enhance worship, outreach, and discipleship through creative tech solutions
- Expand your ministry beyond the walls of your building
Whether you’re just beginning your digital journey or looking to innovate further, this session will offer inspiration, practical tools, and a path forward to help your ministry thrive in today’s connected world.