Hello!

I’m very excited about my presence at Mennonite Church USA’s 2013 Convention in Phoenix.

I’ll be floating around all week, attending seminars on sexual abuse and violence, and even speaking at a seminar on patriarchy and sexism in the church. Additionally, along with Barbra Graber and Hilary Scarsella, I will be proposing a call for prayer for the issue of sexualized violence in our church. I’ll have information on the call for prayer (which will be posted to the Our Stories Untold Website soon) and a sign-up sheet for you to commit praying and meditation on this topic. I’ll also have information on Our Stories Untold, including how you can get involved, so please be sure to catch me as I walk by. In case you’re a little unsure of what I look like, here’s a photograph!

(Just look for the super sweaty girl with a half-shaved head and tattooed arm. Trust me, I stand out in the Menno crowd! I’ll be hard to miss.)

If you’re looking for events centering around sexualized violence (and you want to be sure to meet up with me at some point), check out the following:

• Seminar: Sex Offenders in my Church?
  Tuesday, July 2, 1:30pm, Room 126A
  Description: Individuals with a history of sex offense may already be attending your church. Or, they may request to attend your church. What are you going to do to keep your children and youth safe? Click here for more information
• Seminar: Protecting Children – Policies and Practices
  Tuesday, July 2, 4:15pm, Room 126A
  Description: This seminar discusses practical ways churches, big and small, can keep children and youth safe. Your church, regardless of size or number of children and youth, will learn how to implement child and youth protection policies to make your congregation safe and welcoming to your members and community. Click here for more information.
• Workshop: Undoing Sexism and Patriarchy in the Church through storytelling
  Wednesday, July 3, 3:15pm, 126B
  I’ll be speaking at this event! Come here me talk about purity myths, and how this patriarchal view contributes to rape and violence in our churches.
• Circle of Grace Child/Youth Protection Curriculum
  Friday, July 5, 11:00am, Room 121A
  Description: Circle of Grace is a Christian safe environment curriculum that helps to form and educate children and youth about the value of positive relationships with God and others. Click here for more information.
• Dove’s Nest is also inviting others to join them for an informal gathering on Wednesday, July 3, at 7:30pm. The location is to be determined so be sure to stop by their booth to find out where to join them!
• I’m super excited about Hannah Heinzekehr’s “The Femonite” Happy Hour on Friday, July 5, from 5:30-6:30 PM. Meet at Steve’s Greenhouse Grill. This restaurant has a nice patio (with fans and light mist sprayers), and is conveniently located only a couple blocks away from the Phoenix Convention Center (right across from the Renaissance Marriott Hotel). You can even RSVP to the happy hour by clicking here. I would love to connect with you there!
• On Friday a resolution for child sexual abuse will be proposed. Definitely check out the delegate session on that as well.

I’ll be updating this list, so stay tuned in ways to get involved with ending rape and sexualized violence at the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Phoenix!

So excited to see you there!