Revisionists never sleep!

Story by: WSU Office of University Communication


Examining and discussing the intersection of sexuality, faith and politics is the focus of a three-day conference at Winona State University's Tau Conference Center. "Reclaiming Moral Values: Sexuality, Faith and Politics," a Philip N. Knutson Conference, begins on Friday, March 3, and concludes on Sunday, March 5.

The conference features keynote speaker Rev. Malcolm Himschoot, the current Minister for Outreach at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, Minn., and includes a variety of activities as well as a number of informational and action workshops for those wanting to join other people of faith to:

• Critically assess cultural and faith based assumptions;
• Learn about the cooptation of value based principles in the current political climate;
• Learn how to reframe issues of morality and sexuality toward social justice;
• Learn about various resources and tools needed to work toward equality based change; and
• Network with other activists, continue the discussion and coordinate action efforts, locally and regionally.

The Rev.Malcolm Himschoot is a 28-year-old Euro-American transgender man who preaches, teaches and gives presentations to all age groups throughout the country and is the subject of the feature documentary "Call Me Malcolm," which will be featured at the conference along with opportunities for discussion with Rev. Himschoot.

He was ordained in 2004 as a United Church of Christ minister after receiving his MDiv from the Iliff School of Theology and a bachelor's degree from Amherst College. While in Denver, Colo., he served in ecumenical and inter-cultural urban ministry, with an emphasis on justice and peace.

Also featured as a part of the conference are informational and action workshops conducted by Rev. Anita Hill, pastor of St. Paul Reformation Lutheran Church; Rev. Jay Weisner from Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis; Lindsey Saunders from Action Wisconsin; Monica Meyer from Outfront Minnesota; Rev. Nancy Horvath-Zurn of Healing Spirit Metropolitan Community Church in Rochester, Miinn.; Daphne Burt of Soulforce,; Rev. Gary and Rev. Mary Sue Drier of People of Hope Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn.; Emily Eastwood of Lutherans Concerned/North America; and Greg Bonney, Attorney at Law of La Crosse.

The registration fee is $125 for adults and $60 for students, which includes meals, workshops, keynote presentation, and films. Students wishing to attend only the workshops may register for a reduced fee of $20. Registration forms, as well as information on housing and travel accommodations, can be found at www.lccwinona.org or by calling the Lutheran Campus Center at (507) 452-8316. Registration must be received no later than Feb. 17 and is limited to 200 participants. Early registration is recommended.

Funding for the conference is provided by the Philip N. Knutson Foundation, the Winona State University Foundation, the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, the Lutheran Campus Center of Winona, the Christa Matter Memorial Fund and the LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region.

Uh, registration information here.

I'm sorry if that "uh" sounds a little scornful, but I am beginning to find such misguided efforts to teach folk who go to our Lutheran Campus Ministries how to "Learn how to reframe issues of morality and sexuality toward social justice" is so wrong on so many levels, I think the only possible response is to withhold money from these good people, and the only way to do that would be to withhold all benevolence from the ELCA until they make sure such things are not happening--but, of course, it is happening everywhere, and they never will.