Events

Two Roman Catholic universities and two interdenominational divinity schools are jointly producing More Than a Monologue: Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church, a series of free public events intended to change the conversation about sexual diversity and the Catholic Church. Speakers will include, among others:

• Lisa Sowle Cahill, Boston College, co-author of Sexuality and the U.S. Catholic Church: Crisis and Renewal (The Church in the 21st Century)
• Patricia Beattie Jung, St. Paul School of Theology, author of Catholic Sexual Ethics in the Twenty-First Century
• Michael John Perry, Emory Law School, author of Religion in Politics: Constitutional and Moral Perspectives

Two Roman Catholic universities and two interdenominational divinity schools are jointly producing More Than a Monologue: Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church, a series of free public events intended to change the conversation about sexual diversity and the Catholic Church. Speakers will include, among others:

• Jamie L. Manson, columnist for National Catholic Reporter, instructor in religious studies at Fairfield University
• Deborah Word, Catholic mother of a gay son, board of directors of Fortunate Families, Leadership Team Memphis Diocese Catholic Ministry With Gay and Lesbian Persons

This event will highlight cutting edge sessions that address issues on sex, sexuality, and sexual pleasure for a third national conference on women of color and reproductive justice.

This meeting may include several proposed resolutions and other formal motions on a variety of social issues which have been forwarded to the Executive Council for consideration.

Rev. Haffner will present a talk on engaging religious leaders on sexual health and maternal mortality prevention and be one of the featured speakers at the AASECT symposium at the World Association for Sexual Health conference.

Rev. Debra will present her "What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know".

Dr. Kate Ott will be speaking at Takoma Park Presbyterian.

Rev. Debra Haffner will present the lecture, "Sex, Religion and the College Student" during "Sex Week at Yale."

Union Theological Seminary, New York, Jan. 27-29, 2010. Rev. Haffner and Dr. Ott will teach this three credit course during the January intersession.

Society of Christian Ethics Annual Meeting. Dr. Kate Ott will present a paper, "Ethics of Abortion: Considerations of Community, Choice, and Responsibility," which analyzes the benefits and detriments of seeking common ground on abortion-related policy, and argues for moving from "common ground" to "common good."

Dr. Kate Ott will meet with members of the faculty and students of Brite Divinity School about the school's commitment to be a sexually healthy and responsible seminary. Brite is one of three pilot sites for the second phase of the Religious Institute's Sex and the Seminary project, which promotes sexuality training for future clergy and religious professionals.

Timothy Palmer will present a workshop, "Body & Soul: Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality," at the 2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference: Building Community to End the Harm Caused By Heterosexism & Reparative Therapy.

Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns, Presbyterian Church USA, Oct. 29, 2009, Pasadena, CA. Dr. Kate Ott, associate director, will present "Gender Equity and Sexuality Education in Seminary Training."

Union Theological Seminary and the Religious Institute will co-sponsor "Sex and the Church" during Union Days 2009. Union Days' workshops and panels will be informed by the report, Sex and the Seminary, published earlier this year. Dr. Kate Ott, author of the report, will moderate two panel discussions with religious leaders and scholars.

Rev. Debra Haffner will preach at the First Parish in Cohasset, MA, a Unitarian Universalist congregation.

(by invitation)

Dr. Kate Ott will present "Life beyond Div School: The Many Shapes of Ministry," as part of Yale Divinity School's new student orientation program.
(YDS students only)

Rev. Debra Haffner will present "Engaging Media on Adolescent Sexuality" to the Ford Foundation in NYC.

Rev. Debra Haffner will lead the all day training workshop "Sexually Healthy Religious Professionals" for the UUMA and LREDA chapters on Northern New England.

Rev. Debra Haffner will appear with Meredith Viera on The Today Show, speaking on the topic "Keeping Children Safe in Today's World".

Rev. Debra Haffner will preach "Congo Sabbath Initiative" at the Unitarian Church in Westport, CT.

Dr. Kate Ott will discuss how sexuality became divorced from spirituality early in the Christian tradition.  Her forum will kick off a four-week adult education series on sexuality and faith; For more information, contact Tim Palmer: palmer@religiousinstitute.org

Tim Palmer, Director of Research and Communications, will present the findings of the Religious Institute's national survey of sexual justice advocacy among progressive clergy and congregations.  The presentation is part of a day-long Faith Institute at the annual Creating Change conference, sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.