Adult Sunday School meets Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please contact Pastor Young-Mee Park or Vicki Greene for Zoom link information. Here's what coming up in the next few weeks.
New 5-Session Workshop on Human Sexuality
As many of you know, The United Methodist Church (UMC) is in the midst of an intense controversy around sexuality, one that threatens to split the denomination apart. Sexuality is an extremely complex aspect of what it means to be human and should not be taken lightly. There are many inter-related questions to be asked, for instance:
- What are the main components of human sexuality (for example, sex, gender, and sexual orientation)?
- How are they related (for example, does anatomical sex, which is mostly biological, determine gender, which is mostly cultural)?
- What are the different dimensions or manifestations of each (for example, cisgender vs. transgender, or gender identity and gender expression)?
- What are some ‘do’s and don’ts’ regarding sexuality (for example, is the word ‘transgender' a noun, a verb, or an adjective)?
- What does the Bible say about sexuality?
- What does the NIC of the UMC say?
- How do LGBTQ+ church members feel about all this?
We will meet via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss human sexuality for five Sundays, April 18 through May 16. Church member Héctor Varela will facilitate an introductory, 101-level, course on human sexuality for the first two Sundays (basically, the first four questions above). We will use materials from The Safe Zone Project.
For the next three Sundays, Adult Education will invite other speakers to talk about the Bible and the NIC’s options on the matter and to give a testimonial on the LGBTQ+ experience in a Christian church.
Important note: this course aims to be a brave space. While there is no expectation of active participation from attendees, those in attendance have to be prepared to become uncomfortable with their previous knowledge. Some of the terminology can be raw (for instance, we will refer to genitalia by their anatomical names). Also, those in attendance have to be comfortable enough to ask questions while the group maintains respect and confidentiality. We are all here to learn, not to judge or be judged. Come with an open mind and heart.
HUMC’s mission statement states: "Every person is welcome at Hinsdale United Methodist Church – people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status, special needs – people of all gifts and talents – everyone!" Therefore, we need to better understand human sexuality in today’s world to fully comprehend the LGBTQ+ community at large and the ongoing controversy in the UMC.”
Please click here for the participant packet for the first two Sundays (April 18 and 25). You are free to read it beforehand (and note any questions that come up) but do not complete any exercises. Like stated before, there is no expectation of active participation - we are all here to listen and learn - but our discussion would be better if we have conversations, that is, ’talk with’ and about the material. If you want to read further, the packet includes additional resources in the last page. See you then!
