MAKING ROOM FOR ALL 2013: A LOOK BACK

“Making Room for All 2013” created far-reaching ripples. Participants took the time to pick up the phone, send an email, or make a contribution to express their gratitude that a 2-day conference in a local church in the middle of Michigan could so profoundly affect their understanding of God’s love in Jesus Christ for people of all sexual identities and gender expressions.

We can neither control nor predict the moving of the Spirit in the lives of LGBTQ people, families or allies who gathered last October, but we’re privileged to glimpse the Spirit’s evidence, give thanks for it, and do our best to follow with grace and faithfulness.

We have assembled various conference resources for your use, including video, audio and the opening and closing orders of worship. We hope that you’ll be blessed by them and encouraged to share with others what the Spirit is doing in the church.

Conference Videos
Collaborative Painting

Audio

Opening Worship (mp3 | 84MB)
Keynote Address (mp3 | 61MB)
Concert (mp3 | 60MB)
Closing Worship (mp3 | 92MB)

(To download mp3’s, right-click (Windows) or control-click (Mac) + save link as.)

Print

Opening Worship Bulletin
Closing Worship Bulletin
Making Room for All 2013 Poster

Support RfA
Creating Together

This is the painting whose individual elements were created by participants in response to Room for All’s 2013 national conference, and then brought together and painted back into by Michigan artist Joel Schoon-Tanis. The original canvas now belongs to Hope Church of Holland, MI, but you can still purchase a print or gallery-type canvas of the original painting, and/or note cards, a mug, glass cutting board, mouse pad, key chain, luggage tag, coaster, magnet or jigsaw puzzle…

These products are all available with various sizes, mounting and finishing options through Lake Effect Digital Imaging in Holland, MI. Here is a catalog and price list, (may be outdated) but orders can only be placed by calling Vicki at Lake Effect (see the contact information on the first page of the catalog). She’s very helpful and will answer all your questions. Thanks to Joel Schoon-Tanis, these products will be available at artist’s discount prices, with no mark-up or proceeds to RfA. This opportunity is ongoing!

Participants Said

The messages by Rev. Thorne were spiritually potent and set a wonderful tone for the conference as a whole. The Saturday worship was so moving to me I cried through most of the congregational singing. The Lord poured mercy and affection on me by the buckets on that day.

The conference was spiritually and intellectually SPECTACULAR and brought me closer to RCA – a historically “reforming” church

The family stories presented were a reminder of how painful it can be to be a church member – even a long time church member — who thinks, believes, and acts differently from the expected status quo understanding of what it means to be a “Christian.”

Loved the retrospective on the RCA and same-sex relationships. It was great to hear the history, but more important to me was the reality of the moment. Two of our most dedicated leaders were there, and in support of the movement. As a young minister, who is willing to put his neck on the line for this, it was really comforting to know there is support like that.

It was wonderful being in an environment where I did not have to fear being criticized, shamed, or shunned because I’m gay.

The academic lectures were a highlight for me. Both the David Meyers lecture and the Jim Brownson lecture helped to understand and articulate things in a more concrete way. The information they gave is what people who are working through this issue are craving.

Just getting together is very powerful; so many of the people who came are in situations where they are not “out” about their own beliefs or being, so the biggest relief is not having to worry about slipping.

The music was particularly refreshing in its communication of the Gospel message of justice and full inclusion for all God’s people. We simply do not hear this enough in traditional worship music. Worship was inspiring, hopeful, nourishing, and full of praise and gratitude to God.

I loved the wonderfully inclusive music, the opportunity to hear stories, numerous educational opportunities.

A highlight for me was the positive power of people honestly and respectfully engaging and connecting.

Powerful. Engaging. Insightful. Spirit-filled. Spirit-led. Profound.

I enjoyed learning the new songs/hymns, and they will be a great resource to use in the future.

The worship experiences are highlights. The music was fantastic. Overall this was the best conference for linking with the arts. The liturgy, music and sermons were all very powerful. Adrienne did a masterful job of linking the Gospel texts with her own personal life and with our corporate Christian community as well.

As always, this conference was uplifting and encouraging. Overall it is one of the best spiritual experiences of the year. To be an environment where inclusivity is the rule is to be touched by God’s kingdom.

My favorite thing about the conference was just being able to meet and fellowship with people, see that it is possible to be both gay and Christian and that one day I can find a church that will accept my girlfriend and me with open arms and we can feel welcome and find a church home. Seeing so many welcoming folks has made me feel more ready to come out because if I am as rejected by my family like I feel I will be, it is possible for me to find people who will support me and welcome me nonetheless.

This conference was so wonderful and I am so thankful that you provided us with the opportunity to come to this conference! I am very, very grateful!!
Thank you!!

Conference Videos