October 31, 2021
03:00 pm - 04:30 pm
Inclusive Gathering Birmingham
Edgbaston Quaker Meeting House
Birmingham, B15 1JP
How can we create faith communities that love and affirm our Transgender siblings?
We’re thrilled to welcome Austen Hartke (via Zoom) for this very special afternoon of learning together about how to become better friends and neighbours to the gender-expansive people in our lives.
Join us at 2:45 for a 3pm start at Edgbaston Quaker Meeting House (Five Ways). Scroll down for directions and details. Or take part online via FB Live or our YouTube channel.
We ask that those joining us in person please wear a mask (unless exempt) when not eating or drinking.
Austen will share with us for the first part of our time together, and then there will be plenty of time for questions from those gathered in the venue. We will also take questions via FB Live comments for those joining us from home.
ABOUT AUSTEN HARTKE …
Austen Hartke is the author of Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, a book on theology and personal narratives published by Westminster John Knox Press in 2018. He is also the founder and director of Transmission Ministry Collective, an online community dedicated to the spiritual care, faith formation, and leadership potential of transgender and gender-expansive Christians. He is a graduate of Luther Seminary’s Master of Arts program in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Studies, and is the winner of the 2014 John Milton Prize in Old Testament Writing from the same institution. As a transgender person of faith, Austen’s greatest passion is helping other trans and gender-expansive people see themselves in scripture.
Austen Hartke is the author of Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, a book on theology and personal narratives published by Westminster John Knox Press in 2018. He is also the founder and director of Transmission Ministry Collective, an online community dedicated to the spiritual care, faith formation, and leadership potential of transgender and gender-expansive Christians. He is a graduate of Luther Seminary’s Master of Arts program in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Studies, and is the winner of the 2014 John Milton Prize in Old Testament Writing from the same institution. As a transgender person of faith, Austen’s greatest passion is helping other trans and gender-expansive people see themselves in scripture.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR VENUE:
The Quaker Meeting House is on the Five Ways end of City Centre at the corner of St James Road and George Road. Enter through gate on George Road and you’ll find a lovely garden and a cosy vibe.
There is ample free parking on George Road. (It is just outside the clean air zone).
Five Ways Trains Station is just 500m away.
Numbers 1 and 8 and the Harborne and Hagley Road bus routes stop near by at the Big Morrisons at Five Ways which is nearby.
The building itself is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets.
Light snacks and drinks will be provided with clear labelling and vegan and gluten free options.
Any questions can be directed to newchurchbirmingham@gmail.com.
We’re really happy to do what we can to make you feel welcome and included – if you are worried about getting to the venue from Moor Street/ New Street give us a shout!
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We gather as IGB each Sunday at 3pm, but our gatherings will look a bit different each week. The big news is that from September 2021, most Sundays there will now be an option to meet both in person or online in some way.
Here’s the pattern of what to expect each month:
1st Sunday -Worship Gathering at the Meeting House and Livestreamed to FB Live & YouTube- Music, stories, a spiritual, reflection, music & cake. Pub meet up afterwards.
2nd Sunday – Live Online (only) Gathering led by IGB’s Leadership Community – Streamed to FB Live & YouTube.
3rd Sunday – Various activities in collaboration with others – Online reflection or Open Table Birmingham meeting in North Brum. 5:15 Neurodiverse Spirituality Zoom Workshop & Discussion.
4th Sunday – Real Talk & Afternoon Tea at the Meeting House & Livestreamed to FB Live & Youtube with Zoom hybrid discussion option. Pub meet up afterwards.
5th Sunday (when there is one!) – A Special Event.
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About Inclusive Gathering Birmingham …
Inclusive Gathering Birmingham is a diverse church gathered together by a common dream: to become a truly inclusive faith community, where doubt and difference are a welcome part of our journey together toward Jesus. We believe that the way of Jesus leads us to the wild, radical idea that true spiritual community can be formed based on who is INCLUDED, not by who is EXCLUDED. We are a learning community, constantly growing and changing to live out this vision in new and expanding ways.
When we say “inclusion”, we mean much more than mere tolerance or welcome. We believe God wants us all to know that we actually belong. That means people of every race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, age and background, HIV status, ability and disability, theological and political conviction are loved, invited, and fully included. Read more about what makes us tick at www.inclusivegathering.org.uk or send an email to newchurchbirmingham@gmail.com to ask questions or chat.