Click here to view a video recording of this CLGS Sacred Texts Workshop!

A new liturgical year starts with Advent, a time of watching, waiting, and preparing our hearts for justice and love. As we enter Year C of the Common Lectionary in Advent 2024, this workshop prepares us for queering Advent and setting the foundation for the coming liturgical year.

Our presenters for this CLGS Sacred Texts Workshop were Revs. Lauren Bennett and Jakob Hero-Shaw, pastors of MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches) congregations.

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

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw

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.