Inaugural Conference

Celebrating Our Past, Envisioning Our Future

April 19-21, 2001

This weekend conference provided a forum for the diverse areas and concerns that are at the heart of the Center's work. From identity politics to queer theory, from denominational resolutions to lay education, from racial and ethnic distinctiveness to fluid sexualities, and from Christian debates to Buddhist reflections—this immense range of religious institutions and practices and of theological theories and convictions in dynamic conjunction with the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities provided the complex terrain the Center is created to traverse.

Evening events took place at the University Christian Church in Berkeley, and they included music by the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco Worship and Praise Team, a speech by PSR President William McKinney, and a keynote address from Jimmy Creech.

Workshops and panel discussions continued through the weekend in various locations both at the PSR campus and at the University Christian Church in Berkeley.

Explore more:

Read a transcript of Jimmy Creech's keynote address "Breaking the Silence: The Pain and Challenge of Ministry in the New Millennium."