Did God Assign My Gender? A Theological and Pastoral Consideration of the Gender Movement
1. Did God Assign My Gender? A Theological and Pastoral Consideration of the Gender Movement…Some of the most complex and novel questions of our day revolve around the topic of gender identity. Especially as more young people express a desire to transition genders, and the influence of the gender movement extends from entertainment to education, it’s crucial Christians have a robust understanding of the movement’s beliefs and practices on the one hand, and a compassionate and biblical sense of how to engage friends or children expressing confusion on the other. Those who believe in God the Creator and the goodness of His Creation must hold out a vision of gender identity that runs along the grain of creation—the nature of the body—, as well as a view of transformation that aims along the arc of redemption—the resurrection of the body.
The Rev. Sam Ferguson is the rector of The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA. Along with pastoral experience working with individuals and families navigating questions of gender identity, Sam has done extensive research in the area of anthropology in Early Judaism (MPhil, Cambridge University) and the New Testament (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Seminary), published a work in this field, The Spirit and Relational Anthropology in Paul (Mohr Siebeck, 2020), and is currently working on a book on the topic for Crossway Publishers. His desire is to see the church well equipped to articulate the Bible’s compelling vision of gender as a gift from God to be stewarded, and also more deeply engaged in the issues of discipleship and formation this conversation raises.
Discipling Children through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Additional resources mentioned during presentation:
CGSUSA.org United States Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast Episode 75: “FAQs: Beginning The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Karen Maxwell”
The Good Shepherd and The Child: A Joyful Journey (Cavalletti, et al)
Discipling Children through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd…Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a children’s faith formation program that draws from the Montessori method and enables children to engage with the Gospel at their particular developmental levels. CGS offers the whole church the opportunity to be involved in the process of discipling children, praying through the liturgy and living together the habits and teachings of the Christian faith. In our session you will experience CGS and hear about the joys and challenges of implementing CGS in small churches and church plants.
The Rev. Morgan Reed helped to plant Incarnation Anglican Church in South Arlington, and then God called him to begin a new church plant in 2020 that would serve Franconia, Kingstowne, and Springfield. He has a PhD in Hebrew and Syriac studies at the Catholic University of America.
Josie Ortega is the Lead Children’s Catechist at Incarnation Anglican Church in Arlington, VA. She spends her days homeschooling her three children, hanging out in their beloved Del Ray, Alexandria
Alpha Panel Discussion: How Alpha Can Help You Evangelize
Alpha Panel Discussion: How Alpha Can Help You Evangelize…Come explore how the Alpha Course can help create a missional culture in your church. We’ll talk all about the benefits, challenges, and practicalities of running Alpha in different church contexts (large and small, established and new, with and without a building, and more).
The Rev. Amy Rowe is the Rector of Incarnation Anglican Church, Arlington. She lives in South Arlington with her husband, two kids, and way too many books.
The Rev. Clancy Nixon has been Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit (Anglican) in Leesburg, Virginia, for 21 years. With his wife Ginger, he planted this now 400 member church. He has been a leader in church planting at Diocesan levels for many years, involved with over a hundred church plants, and is a certified church planting coach. He is also known for healing prayer ministry, including leading the Healing in Mission network of New Wineskins.
Unlawful Harassment Policies for Churches
Unlawful Harassment Policies for Churches…Our churches have a sacred responsibility to care for all persons. An important aspect of that care is the adoption by the Vestry of appropriate policies regarding sexual and other unlawful harassment. This session will present, consideration, adaptation, and implementation by Rector and Vestry, a sample policy for the protection of God’s people that honors our biblical convictions and safeguards religious liberty.
Scott J. Ward is the Chancellor of the Anglican Church in North America, of our Diocese, and of The Falls Church Anglican. He is an owner in the law firm of Gammon & Grange and leads the firm’s Religious Liberty practice group and Litigation practice group. His practice concentrates on the law of religious and other nonprofit organizations, child abuse prevention and response, employment and human resources law, computer and internet law and other areas.
Shaping the Imagination of the Church in Our Secular Age
Shaping the Imagination of the Church in Our Secular Age...The Lord’s Prayer provides a liturgical framework for reimagining God, ourselves, each other, and world in the wilderness of our secular age. This presentation and discussion will focus on identifying the ways in which secularism diminishes our imaginations and how the regular habit of praying the Lord’s Prayer renews us to embody the way of Jesus in our time. This has implications both for individuals and for our parishes and institutions.
The Rev. Dan Marotta is the founding Rector of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, VA. He previously served at The Falls Church Anglican, Falls Church, VA. He is the author of the newly released book, Liturgy in the Wilderness: How the Lord’s Prayer Shapes the Imagination of the Church in a Secular Age.