Click here to join this online CLGS event via Zoom!

Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals are deeply sacred life events (for individuals, families, and faith communities), and these celebrations of initiation, commitment, and commemoration call for thoughtful and creative preaching.

In this CLGS Queering the Word preaching workshop, we explore how scripture can inform and enrich our approach to these milestone events. Focusing on the Gospels and other sacred texts, we will (re)examine themes of love, community, and commitment through a queer lens, fostering deeper connections with LGBTQ+ people and our identities and experiences.

Our presenters are Rev. Lauren Bennett and Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw, pastors of MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches) congregations.

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa. Jakob received his MDiv and Certificate in Sexuality and Religion from the Pacific School of Religion and his MA in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Christian Theology and Spiritual Direction from Cardiff University in Wales, and a BA in Religious Studies with an emphasis on Christianity and Islam, from the University of South Florida. Jakob has led trainings on human rights and participated transgender advocacy throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Central and Eastern Europe. Jakob’s favorite thing in life is being a dad! He lives in Tampa, Florida, with his husband and their two children.

Rev. Lauren Bennett

Rev. Lauren Bennett is the Pastor at MCC Greater St. Louis. In addition, Lauren coordinates conferences and events for the MCC denomination. As a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, she lived in Washington, DC for four years before moving to the Midwest. Coming from a community organizing background, Lauren is particularly passionate about working with the crucified of our time for liberation from systems of oppression. In her free time, she loves being outside, reading, and spending time with her wife AhSa-Ti and son Ahmmit.

Our CLGS Queering the Word preaching workshops are designed for Christian preachers, seminarians, and anyone else interested in the art of preaching from a queer perspective!

Click here to see a list of other workshops in this series.