Methodists to host workshops
McLEANSVILLE, N.C. — A statewide conference of Reconciling United Methodists (RUM) and Friends of North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences, “Ministry Without Fear: Growing in Biblical Obedience,” will be held on Oct. 25, 9:45 a.m., at Replacements, Ltd. 1089 Knox Rd.
Keynote speakers are Bishop Melvin Talbert, a retired United Methodist Church leader, and Matt Berryman, executive director of Reconciling Methodists Network.
The day will be filled with worship, workshops and lunch. Workshops will focus on: Transgender 101; Ministry with LGBTQ Youth, Parents, Guardians; Annual Conference and Jurisdictional Strategies; General Conference Strategies; Welcoming Resources; and The Reconciling Process.
Afterward a fundraiser for the Southeastern Region of Reconciling Methodist Networks will be held.
Cost is $15.
info/registration: facebook.com/reconcilingNC. greenstreetchurch@gmail.com
Foundation to name grantees
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Guilford Green Foundation will hold its 2014 granting and volunteer recognition ceremonies on Oct. 28, 6 p.m., at Greenhill Gallery, 200 N. Davie St.
Be on hand to see who has netted grants and celebrate the service of the foundation’s volunteers.
On Oct. 23, the foundation joins with FaithAction International House and Congregational United Church of Christ to host a Stranger to Neighbor Dialogue (S2N) program. It will start at 6 p.m. at the church at 200 W. Radiance Dr.
The mission of S2N is to help build model interfaith, multicultural and immigrant-friendly communities that choose to embrace the gifts of their new diversity and are committed to turning strangers into neighbors.
The event is free, but participants must RSVP online at bit.ly/1sZZt2d. S2N is aimed at building bridges of understanding, trust and cooperative action between the diverse immigrant and LGBT communities in the Triad, organizers said. Meal and drinks are included.
Brenna Ragghianti, GGF executive director, said that they are targeting a number of areas of concern to make sure that their work has sustainability. She shared four of them, but the organization is not limited to just these items. The foundation has put its energies into granting money to local non-profit organizations so that they can help the LGBT community, including those for youth, seniors, advocates, educators, health specialists, arts and more. It hosts events to raise money for its grants and internal programming, in addition to providing a safe space for the LGBT community to be united and to socialize with allies and one another. Special attention has been given to increasing events and programs to foster synergy within the community so that it can make a stronger impact. And, lastly, Guilford Green is dedicated to ensuring that the community can withstand any crisis that comes its way.
info: ggfnc.org.
Adam sets celebration
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Adam Foundation will hold its silver anniversary festival, “Lights! Camera! Action!,” on Nov. 8 in the Wake Forest Biotech Place in Innovation Quarter, 575 N. Patterson Ave.
Sponsorships and tickets are available online through Nov. 1. After Nov. 1 tickets can be purchased at the door. Sponsors at the silver level ($250) and above receive tickets to both the Adam Festival and the festival pre-party on Nov. 7. Details for the party will be confirmed with sponsors. Individual tickets are $30/advance, $35/at the door, $15/students. Commemorative wine glasses can be purchased for $25.
The foundation is also looking for pictures from past festivals, particularly from the 1990s and early 2000s. To share them, send a note to info@adamfoundation.org.
info: adamfoundation.org.
Spirituality conference announced
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — On Nov. 15, Interfaith Voice will present an LGBT Spirituality Conference featuring The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Bishop of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
Interfaith Voice is a coalition of open and affirming faith communities. The conference is co-sponsored by Wake Forest University School of Divinity and The Adam Foundation.
For more information, email InterfaithVoiceInfo@gmail.com.
info: facebook.com/InterfaithVoice/.
ENC Gala opens registration
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The 2014 8th Annual Equality NC Foundation Gala will be held on Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m., at the Empire Room, 203 S Elm St.
The theme this year is “Get Engaged, North Carolina.” Keynote speaker will be announced at a later date.
No gala is ever complete without bestowing annual awards on worthy recipients. The Equality Champions include those for Legislative Leadership Award, Bob Page Equality Champion Awards, Jamie Kirk Hahn Ally Award and others and will be made available over the coming weeks.
The event is one of Equality NC Foundation’s fundraisers and celebrates the work of the community and its supporters.
An after-party will follow at the Print Works Bistro, 702 Green Valley Rd., with free transportation provided to hotel guests by official host accommodations’ provider, The Proximity Hotel, 704 Green Valley Rd.
Registration is available online. Cost is: $1,500/reserved table for 10; $160/early-bird individual (increases to $190 on Nov. 8); $50/active duty military personnel; and $0/pre-paid guests ($1,200 plus donors, sponsors, etc.). Verification of pre-paid attendees can be obtained by emailing Melissa Cartwright at melissa@equalitync.org.
Hotel rates are $159 per night for king loft room and $179 for a double queen room. More information on hotel bookings are available on the Equality NC Foundation website.
info: equalityncfoundation.org.
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Share your news with us
Does your organization or special interest group have events or great information to share with our readers? If so, be sure to send in your information to specialassignments@goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com. In the upcoming months, we’ll feature one of you in our news notes section in each issue. Are you a part of a Meetup, Yahoo or Google group and do you do something that’s really newsworthy? Do you provide a service for the community or hold fundraisers for worthy causes? Do you educate the public about LGBT issues or concerns? Of course, this is only a sampling of things we are interested in. It’s the aim of these pieces to inform, enlighten and educate our readers about what we’re doing here in the Carolinas to champion LGBT rights, as well as offer resources for those who may be interested in what your group is doing.