Caring for LGBTQ Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Part 1
At More Light, we often hear from congregational leaders who have active ministries to both LGBTQ people and refugees, and who want to be a better source of support to both populations but may be unsure how best to do so.
This 3-part series will address the ways in which congregations can better serve
LGBTQ refugees, and asylum seekers.
More Light is proud to be co-sponsoring this event with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Series Trainer: Susan Krehbiel
Susan Krehbiel has over 25 years of experience in refugee and asylum ministries, primarily through faith-based non-profits. For most of her career she has worked in both the development of direct service programs and public policies. Of particular significance to her was her work developing new national programs and policies to protect unaccompanied children seeking asylum and the 2 years plus she spent in South America helping establish new resettlement countries.
Susan works for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to coordinate PC(USA) humanitarian response with refugees and asylum seekers and advocacy on their behalf, by inspiring, connecting and equipping the denomination and local congregations to carry out these ministries. In addition to her work for PDA, Susan works for the Presbytery of Baltimore. She is married to Norman Lazarus and is a ruling elder and member of Catonsville Presbyterian Church in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Co-Trainer: Alex Patchin McNeill
Alex Patchin McNeill is the executive director of More Light Presbyterians and is the first openly transgender person to head a mainline Protestant organization. He is a life-long Presbyterian, and a nationally known educator and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Christians. He played key roles organizing faith communities for the passage of Amendment 10A in the PC(USA), and for marriage equality legislation in Maryland. McNeill has also campaigned for ballot measures and legislation to promote LGBTQ rights. His journey to ordination is currently being chronicled in the documentary, Out of Order. Alex holds a Master’s of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. He currently lives in Asheville, NC with his wife and three dogs.
Part 1 will address:
- Language and terminology related to the experiences of LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers
- A theological/biblical grounding for the importance of responsible ministry with LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers
- A general understanding of the circumstances LGBTQI refugees coming into the U.S. face
- Ways congregations can have the conversation about the WHY
Cost: $35 (Watching with a group? The cost of each teach-in part is weighed based on group size. If you are watching with a group of 2-5 people, the TOTAL cost of Part 1 is $35; with a group of 6-20 people, the total cost of Part 1 is $50; with a group of 21 or more, the total cost of Part 1 is $100).
- 1 – 5 participants: $35
- 6 – 20 participants: $50
- 21 participants or more: $100