Workshop on Sexuality, Gender identity and Spirituality

Sexuality and gender have preoccupied the Church of England for half a century, but resolution remains elusive and the conversation institutional. Sexuality and gender are about people, and the link between sexuality, gender and spirituality, often noted in the literature, can be overlooked in spiritual accompaniment, either through lack of knowledge, or uncertainty when someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity seems unlike one’s own.

This workshop aims to develop understanding about the place of sexuality and gender identity in the spiritual journey, and to enable Spiritual Accompaniers to respond positively, and walk with integrity, with those whose gender identity or sexual orientation is outside their experience.

With space for personal reflection and discussion of the agreed focus of the day, the morning session will be the Sibyls’ ‘Gender, Sexuality & Spirituality’ Workshop. Designed to explore disjunctions and interplay between these three domains, it has been offered in many settings, and is a day course in the York spiritual directors’ training programme.

Using literature and the arts, the afternoon will begin with small group workshops around topics like ‘intimacy’, ‘eros and agape’, ‘ecstasy’, ‘pain and pleasure’, ‘infatuation & the divine’. The day will end with generous plenary time to reflect on its application and relevance to people’s ministry and practice as Accompaniers.

Tina has been a parish priest & healthcare chaplain. She writes and lectures on spirituality and gender, and campaigns for the full inclusion of trans people in the Church.

Chris is a United Reformed Church minister. He writes on spirituality and gender and has a busy life looking after four churches in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

St Marys School Room (church hall) is situated in Queen Street, Gillingham (opposite the church). The church of St Mary the Virgin is located in Queen Street, SP8 4AW.

DIRECTIONS:

If approaching from the South (Shaftesbury direction)
On entering Gillingham on B3081, go straight on (2nd exit) at the first roundabout. Continue on Shaftesbury Road, through three sets of traffic lights, up the hill on Newbury, and over the railway bridge, to the next roundabout. At this roundabout take the last (third) exit into the High Street (signposted "Town Centre") Continue along the High Street, passing the main shopping area, until the road takes a sharp right. You will see the church on the left immediately after the bend

If approaching from the North (Milton on Stour/Mere/A303):
Enter Gillingham on B3095, go straight on over the first roundabout onto Peacemarsh. At the next roundabout go right onto Le Neubourg Way. Take the first left into Turners Lane, and follow the road round to the right (Queen Street) where you will find the church on your right

WHERE TO PARK:

Ample parking can be found in the District Council Car Park, off the High Street (charges apply Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm).

LUNCH : Please bring your own lunch