Crum conference slated
DURHAM, N.C. — On April 18, 9 a.m., the Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry – Love Your Neighbor will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Rd. It is presented by the Methodist Federation for Social Action, North Carolina Chapter.
One of the key focuses of the event is in welcoming LGBT “brothers and sisters into the full life and ministry of The United Methodist Church.”
The keynote speaker will be Rev. Frank Schaefer. He was defrocked for performing a same-sex marriage for his son. He has since been reinstated as a minister through the United Methodist Church.
Clergy set to preach at the day’s proceedings will be Rev. Gil Caldwell. He is a retired African-American Methodist minister who marched along side Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1960s and has been an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community and same-sex marriage.
Jimmy Creech will lead a theological workshop along with Caldwell. Creech is a co-founder of Faith in America and was previously an ordained Methodist minister but was also defrocked for performing same-sex marriages.
Workshops will also help to prepare those who will attend the General Conference, as well as how to become a reconciling congregation. Panel discussion will include Rev. Joe Cobb, senior pastor with Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge in Roanoke, Va.; Martha Buie Tyson, a lesbian who hailed from a long line of United Methodist ministers and subsequently came out at 17 to her parents and to those at a youth leadership conference; and Billy Kluttz, a former gay seminary student and new media coordinator at Seabury Resources for Aging in Washington, D.C.
Registration is $25/advance, $30/door, $10/students. It includes light breakfast and lunch.
info/registration: mfsancc.org.
‘Kinky’ movie time slated
RALEIGH, N.C. — The LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S. Harrington St., will screen “Kinky Boots” on Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m., as part of its SAGE group’s programming.
Seating is limited to 20, and will be shown at a private residential theatre. Call for directions and to make reservations.
On Jan. 29, join SAGE for its monthly lunch out event at Rockford, 320 Glenwood Ave., second floor, at 12:15 p.m. Those who wish to carpool should meet at the center at 11:30 a.m.
Capping off the activities will be SAGE’s Valentine’s Day Dance, “Love Wins Out,” on Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., at the center. This year the dance acknowledges the historic fact that same-sex marriage is now legal in North Carolina. Organizers encourage those who have legally tied the knot to join in the evening’s festivities.
DJ Robert will be on hand to spin tunes. Finger food, soft drinks, beer and wine will be furnished.
The event is free, but organizers encourage a contribution of $10 per person to help defray costs. They are also looking for volunteers to help set up, tend bar and take down the event.
Word also has it that SAGE is in the planning stage for a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., later on in the spring. Details are forthcoming.
info: lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
Youth group hosts retreat
DURHAM, N.C. — iNSIDEoUT will holds its Fabufest from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 and the Jan. 20 registration deadline is fast approaching.
The event provides participants with the opportunity to hang out, build friendships and connections and collaborate about and initiate new ideas, all in a stress-free environment.
The retreat begins at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 at a local church. Registrants will receive the location once the registration and requisite release form have been processed.
The weekend will be chocked full of workshops and activities run by GSA/QSA volunteers and various volunteer and non-profit organizations. Food is provided. Participants should bring a sleeping bag.
Cost is free for all participants, however, a $10 cancellation fee will be accessed for who cancel at the last-minute to defray costs incurred. Also, $20 donations are welcome and appreciated.
Registration is available online, along with release forms that can be downloaded.
On March 7, 8 p.m., an adult ally bar night will take place at The Bar, 711 Rigsbee Ave. A $5 cover goes directly to iNSIDEoUT programming. It is open to those 18 and older, though one must be 21 in order to consume alcohol.
In December the organization raised nearly $3,000 through contributions. Because of this, Fabufest’s cost are covered.
Upsidedown, the group for younger youth, has announced that is expanding its outreach with the creation of Team Awesome. This group is for those 11-13 who wish to be part of the planning and organization of events.
info: insideout180.org.
Out! Raleigh set for May
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Out! Raleigh Festival will be held on May 2 along Fayetteville St. and organizers have opened up sponsorship opportunities, as well as vendor space reservations.
Last year, over 25,000 attended the event.
Workplace Options has signed on as the Naming Sponsor. In addition to sponsorships and vendor space securement, advertising space is available in the Out! Guide.
Vendor applications are due by April 1. No others will be accepted beyond that date. Food vendors will be only invited in order to prevent duplication and ensure a successful business day.
Details are available online for both sponsorship and advertising options.
This year there will be a KidsZone, a variety of events and performers and ways to engage in the festival both as a visitor and volunteer.
In its fifth year, the festival is a project of the LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S. Harrington St.
info: outraleigh.com. lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com.
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.