Our congregation has been a designated “Open and Affirming” church for years now…. so how are we doing? Is Kingston Congregational Church welcoming? Are we using current terminology in conversation and doing our best not to see the world through a heterosexism lens? We at KCC have a long history of being able to look at ourselves with a desire to learn with open hearts and minds. With this in mind, let’s learn more about how to be a safe space and build our capacity to be allies to all in the LGBTQ+ community.
PART I: URI Gender and Sexuality Center Presents- LGBTQ 101 “Safe Zones” with Director, Annie Russell, Ph.D.
Sunday, March 13, 2022, 10:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
Fireplace Room
Learn basic issues affecting the LGBTQ community and how to be an ally. Increase awareness, knowledge, and support of LGBTQ people and issues. Build a visible support network of LGBTQ Allies around URI and South County. Improve the climate for LGBTQ people in our area.
BIO:
Annie Russell was born in Indiana and spent most of her life in the Midwest. In her early career, Annie did the Midwest tour, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication (emphasis on Argumentation and Advocacy) from Adrian College in 2003. Following that, Annie earned her M.Ed. from Ohio University and worked there for a number of years in Residence Life. Annie’s strong passion and focus in higher education has been on social justice issues and inclusion. She obtained her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University in 2012, with an emphasis on teaching social justice issues. Annie has spent the last six years of her career working in diversity and inclusion in higher education, as a Coordinator and now Director of two different Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Centers. She has also been an adjunct faculty member in Communication and Gender andWomen’s Studies. Annie’s research interests include intersectionality, multiple and intersecting identity formation and development, the application of theory to practice in higher education, and the impact of feminism as an approach to educational perspectives. Annie currently serves as the Director of the Gender and Sexuality Center and plans to continue to work and teach in higher education, thereby achieving social justice through education.
PART II: Emig Lecture: Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson “Standing Up Straight”
Sunday, March 20, 2022 3:00 Church Sanctuary
We are blessed to announce that our Emig Lecture this year will be given by the Rev. Donnie Anderson who will give a talk at 3:00 in the sanctuary followed by a reception with light refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. This year’s lecture focuses us as a congregation on the fact that we are an “Open and Affirming” congregation who welcomes all people to worship and fellowship with us – no exclusions! That statement comes with the responsibility to be aware of how we can become more welcoming and gain knowledge about LGBTQ issues and reach out more fully to folk.
Rev. Anderson served as Pastor of the East Greenwich First Baptist Church of East Greenwich from 1998-2005, the Executive Minister of the RI State Council of Churches 2005-2019 and is currently the Interim Minister at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford. She continues to live in Providence. Please join us in this exciting and educational experience.
