
SDA
Kinship Kampmeeting 2007 Recap
SDA
Kinship’s 28th Annual Kampmeeting, thanks to Kampmeeting Coordinator
Naveen Jonathan, took place on July 22-29, 2007 at the Sheraton
Gateway Hotel, San Francisco Airport, Burlingame, California. More
than 130 members of this international organization arrived from
many different countries as well as from many states in the U.S.A.
to attend the yearly weeklong conference and retreat, which opened
on Sunday night with a spectacular luau and special guest clergy.
The
theme of the program, “Celebrating a Family of Gifts,” was chosen
to honor and highlight the depth and variety of talent within the
LGBTI Seventh-day Adventist community. Workshops included spiritual
studies, personal growth, language classes, music activities, skill
building, and a children’s program. This year’s program also looked
at ways that LBGTI individuals can identify, celebrate, and use
their gifts in the communities in which they reside.
Invited
guests included the popular singing duo, Jason & deMarco; local
leaders of Second Wind of San Francisco, Pastors Shasta and Greg
Nelson; and Chris Glaser, renown gay Christian author and Interim
Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church San Francisco. Sharon
Groves of the Religion and Faith Program, Human Rights Campaign
(HRC), presented “Finding Tools for Advocacy in Your Faith Tradition.”
The
highlight of the week was "Family Day" Sabbath when Kinship
members honored their straight supportive parents, siblings, and
other family members and friends who have stood by them, encouraged,
and affirmed them through their life's journeys. Carrol Grady, Kinship's
Family & Friends Coordinator and founder of SDA-FFLAG, led out
in a parents' lunch meeting to "share our experiences and brainstorm
ideas for supporting our GLBTI sons and daughters, as well as how
to encourage our church to be willing to learn more about sexuality
issues and to model Jesus' love for those who bear this burden."
During
the weekend just prior to Kampmeeting, the 7th Annual Women &
Children First Weekend was held, also at the Sheraton. The "Women's
Weekend," as it is called, provides a special retreat for the
women of Kinship and their children. This year the women enjoyed
a relaxing Bay Cruise across San Francisco Bay.
Plans
are now actively being made for Kinship Kampmeeting 2008 to be held
on the East Coast. Plan now to attend KM 2008 and secure your registration
fee by joining the popular Kampmeeting
Klub. Bookmark this page and return frequently for
updates on Kampmeeting plans!
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