On January 26, 2002, in the the fellowship hall of Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, Takoma Park, MD, a church long associated with peace and justice work and a "More Light Presbyterian Church," about 50 people from 7 denominations [Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, United/Universalist, Mennonite, and Roman Catholic], and more than a dozen metro-DC churches gathered for a half-day workshop, "Teaching and Listening: Christian Education and Homosexuality."

Sponsored by the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church and the local Open Doors Chapter of More Light Presbyterians, this program focused upon the needs of LGBT and questioning youth and young adults, children, parents and families in the church. Featured educators included Dr. Michael J. Adee, National Field Organizer, More Light Presbyterians, Santa Fe, NM, Karen Werner, Director of Education Ministries of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Carol Morrison, a minister who is a certified sexuality educator. Joining them were LGBTQ youth from the Gay-Straight Youth Alliance of Montgomery-Blair High School and SYMAL, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League.

Also participating in the program were Rev. Chip Aldridge, a United Methodist minister active at Dunbarton United Methodist Church, Rev. Jeanne Mackenzie, pastor emerita, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and members of the Washington DC PFLAG Chapter. Takoma Park Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Laura Collins opened the program with Scripture and prayer followed by small group conversations around tables with Melissa Etheridge music playing in the background.

Adults and youth listened as speakers told about how the church is often either silent or hostile to LGBT/Q children, youth, adults and families and how difficult it can be to come out at church or at home. Training focused on educational resources and ways that churches can be genuinely welcoming and affirming of all of its people and families, particularly LGBT/Q youth, children, adults and families.

Adee said, "This was a historic moment in the life of the Presbyteran Church in the DC area to begin acknowledging that every church has LGBT/Q youth, children, and adults and that we need to be ready to respond with love, care and grace. Many pastors and church members want to do the right thing and because of the prevalence of heterosexism and homophobia they do not know what to say or do. Today we began those conversations."

Special thanks to Brian Cave, MLP's National Liaision for LGBT/Q Youth and Young Adults for providing direction and resources for this program and outreach.

This was the first program of its kind focused upon the needs of LGBT/Q youth and children to be offered within the National Capital Presbytery and those who participated have already begun preparing a follow-up educational training day for the near future.