This workshop will help church leaders plan, organize and prepare the policies and practices that create camps, conferences, retreats and regular gatherings that are truly and authentically inclusive and fun for youth of all gender identities and sexual orientations. We’ll explore the theology of authentic welcome, examine particular policies, and share creative ideas for both fun and faithfulness. We’ll answer thorny questions about restrooms and sleeping arrangements, offer help navigating parental concerns, and have time for sharing questions and ideas from participants’ own experiences. (This workshop emerges from an APCE-sponsored class on LGBTQIA+ youth ministry offered online in 2023.)
