May 2--One Day Conference Rev. Frank Schaefer, hosted at Gloria Dei Church

Choosing Love… A Parent’s Story – Reverend Frank Schaefer to Speak Locally About Love

The phone rings and the busy pastor of a rural Pennsylvania congregation answers the call.

An anonymous woman says, “Your son is gay and having suicidal thoughts. I thought you should know.”

Denial and disbelief are overridden by love and concern. When he and his wife ask their son, he confirms that “Yes, it’s true. I’m gay.” He had been struggling, crying himself to sleep and praying to God to be made ‘normal’ and when that hadn’t happened he admitted he thought it might be better for everyone for him to be gone.

This was serious. The pastor and his wife cry, hug their son and tell him, “You were made in the image of God … God created you this way and God is proud of you.”

So began the journey of Rev. Frank Schaefer, the unlikely advocate for the LGBTQ community and co-author of the book, Defrocked: How a Father’s Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church. His story garnered national attention when he was tried by a United Methodist court for officiating his son’s marriage to another man, and was defrocked over his refusal to uphold the Book of Discipline, which meant virtually to denounce gay marriage rights. In June 2014, the defrocking was overturned on appeal, and the church’s top court upheld a decision to reinstate Schaefer’s ministerial credentials. Now leading a campus ministry, Rev. Schaefer is a speaker and human-rights activist.

Rev. Schaefer chose to love his son, at the risk of losing his friends, his community and his career. You are invited to hear his story, learn about his journey and be moved by the power of unconditional love.

EVENT DETAILS

Choosing Love…A Parent’s Story

A One-Day Conference with Rev. Frank Schaefer

• Saturday, May 2 – 8:30am to 4pm
• Childcare provided
• $30/adult, $15/student, includes a box lunch
• Proceeds from this event will be donated to The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia
• Book available for sale and signing: Defrocked: How a Father’s Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church

Rev. Schaefer will speak once in the morning and respond to questions in the afternoon; the event includes panel discussions:

• The legal journey in PA toward marriage equality led by D. Bruce Hanes, Register of Wills for Montgomery County
• What the Bible really says about homosexuality, led by Dr. Karyn Wiseman, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia
• Pastor Sharon Graff and Pastor Jim Goodyear, each sharing their personal stories of inclusivity and love

Hosted by Gloria Dei Church, 570 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley PA 19006

• Direct Event Inquiries to Rev. Dr. Sharon R. Graff: sgraff@gloriadei.com
• To Register for the event go to: www.tinyurl.com/chooselovemay2
• For Interview Information contact Hollie Woodruff (615) 423-0291 or revhollie@gmail.com
• If you or your organization would like to provide a sponsorship for this event, please email Patty Burger: pburger@gloriadei.com

Worship Service Open to ALL with Rev Frank Schaefer preaching

• Sunday May 3 – 10:30 am
• Gloria Dei Church Sanctuary

Book sales and signing with refreshments will follow