Many Paths, One Heart: Gather with Affirmation in Portland, Oregon, January 13-15, 2017
Affirmation will be holding its first regional conference of 2017 in Portland, Oregon, January 13-15.
Ron and Sue Raynes of Eugene, Oregon are the conference chairs, and have convened an organizing committee. Contact them if you are interested in helping out!
Though the goal of our regional conferences is to provide Affirmation events that are more accessible to those who can’t travel to the Annual International Conference, all are welcome to attend the Portland Conference. We’re still looking for cheap, accessible venues that will enable us to make the conference available at minimal cost, and allow us to include everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
The chosen theme, “Many Paths, One Heart,” honors the uniqueness of the lives and the choices of every member of the Affirmation family in or out of the Church, while recognizing that wherever our individual paths lead us, we are committed to the Zion-like quality of being “of one heart,” of rejoicing when others rejoice, mourning when others mourn, and making one another’s burdens a little bit lighter by bearing them together.
We’re planning to organize this conference along the same lines as the recent Annual International Conference with multiple thematic “tracks” or “paths,” including for those who are seeking ways to claim our faith as Latter-day Saints, as well as those who are choosing or have chosen to transition out of Mormonism. Conference participants will hear from a broad range of speakers representing diverse paths and diverse LGBTQ+ experience. “We also want to create activities that will be appealing to youth, and that will be of value to family and allies, and we need input from every part of our Affirmation family,” said Ron Raynes, conference co-chair.
We hope to see you in Portland in January!
Visit the Event Facebook Page: Affirmation NW Regional Conference in Portland, Oregon