Gay Kenya Anglican to Give His Story at Seminar

Other Sheep Kenya announces a three day seminary, July 7-9, to be held in the Ark Place Hotel from 8:30am to 12:00 noon, on "Christianity and Homosexuality:  From a different point of view."  Other Sheep Kenya is an ecumenical Christian organization that works for the full inclusion of LGBTI people of faith within their respective faith traditions.  Other Sheep Kenya has partnered with Other Sheep, an international ministry for LGBTI people of faith, for the creation of this seminar. 

 

Each day is designed for a different audience, but all meetings are open to the general public.  The first day is designed for the Queer Christian, the second day for the straight ally - friends and family of LGBTI people, and the final day for the Clergyperson, lay leaders and lay people. 

 

Each day has four sessions.  Speakers range from two guest speakers with Other Sheep in the United States, Steve Parelli and Jose Ortiz; two clergypersons from Nairobi, Rev. John Makokha, UMC, and Rev. Michael Kimindu, Anglican; Anne Baraza, Nairobi counselor, and Peter Wanyama, an out gay Kenyan of Anglican faith.  Peter will speak in session four of the first day, July 7, at 11:00am.  Peter will give his story as a gay Anglican man.

 

Two Featured Guest Speakers from New York City

 

In the 8:30am session each morning, Steve Parelli, Executive Director of Other Sheep will present a PowerPoint on the Bible and Homosexuality in Three Parts:  "Against Nature" on July 7,  "Sodom and Gomorrah" on July 8, and "Two New Testament words that don't mean homosexual" on July 9.  Steve Parelli is a defrocked Baptist minister.  He holds an MDiv from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  His life partner, Jose Ortiz, also from the United States, will speak on "How I understand my spirituality as a gay man"  on July 7 at 9:25am, and "What psychology says about homosexuality" on July 8 at 9:25am.  Ortiz has an MS in Applied Psychology from NYU and an undergraduate degree in Bible.  Parelli will also speak on the evangelical "ex-gay" movement on July 8 at 10:15am and on "The relationship between church and government and the legislation of homosexual laws: a Baptist perspective" on July 9 at 10:15am.

 

Local Speakers

 

Rev. Kimindu, STM, will speak on "Gender Based Violence and LGBTI in Kenya" on July 7 at 10:15am.  Anne Baraza, MA, PGD Counseling, will speak on "Counseling LGBTI Kenyans within the Kenyan Perspective" on July 7 at 11:00am.  Rev. Makokha, MA Missions, will speak on "Why I believe LGBTI people should have full inclusion within their respective churches" on July 9 at 11:00am.

 

Registration

 

Sessions are limited to 50 people.  There is no charge.   You must register to be guaranteed a seat.  Phone Rev. John Makokha at 07 27 549 693 to make your reservation.  For a complete schedule on the Internet, go to http://othersheepexecsite.com/Nairobi_Kenya_Other_Sheep_Seminar_2008.doc.