Have you noticed the inordinate amount of attention that is given to concerns about sin at the intersection of faith and sexuality? It seems to be a sticking point for so many. “But it’s sin.” With this short phrase dialogue can be cut off, attempts to understand can be closed, relationships strained, alienation experienced, judgement…
DetailsRecently Wendy had the chance to visit and lecture at Calvin College as part of the Sexuality Series. Here’s a write up about the evening. (Full link: http://www.calvin.edu/chimes/2015/04/17/lecture-addresses-churches-response-to-lgbtq-community/) And below is a video of the evening.
DetailsOne of the reasons I have so loved being engaged in the conversations at the intersection of faith and sexuality over the last decade plus is the very reason some people seem to avoid entering the discussion. I have found, over time, that this conversation invites you, eventually compels you, and if you resist –…
DetailsMiddle section, second pew from the front, left side. That’s where my family sat every Sunday morning. It provided easy access to the stage for my pastor dad, who was always positioned closest to the aisle. It gave me a sense of being under the watchful gaze of the whole congregation: significant, but scrutinized. Sunday…
DetailsEarlier this month, 75 people attended our annual Generous Spaciousness Retreat. Most were from southern Ontario, but some came from as far as Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, and New Brunswick! We spent three days together at a conference center on a frozen lake, laughing, crying, eating, singing, praying, listening to each other’s stories, and watching…
DetailsIt’s something the church has been talking a whole heck of a lot about in the past few years, whether it’s behind the scenes in policy meetings or out front in the media. Same-sex marriage. Partnered gay men and women who are committed Jesus-followers. Married, faithful gay couples loving and serving in the church. And every one…
DetailsWikiGod Podcaster Mark sits down with Wendy for a two-part conversation. This week in Part 1, Wendy talks about some of the major influences that affected her awareness about the legacy of New Direction as she took the role of Executive Director in 2002. It’s a fascinating and highly relevant account of her listening, feeling uncomfortable, being unexpectedly welcomed,…
DetailsRecently Wendy, Beth, and Danice had the chance to chat with MennoNerd moderator, Jennifer Yoder. It was a fantastic conversation about sexuality in the church, LGBT issues, safe spaces, and other topics. Check out MennoNerds and watch the video here.
DetailsOn the final morning of last month’s Gay Christian Network (GCN) conference in Portland, which our staff from New Direction attended, it was clear that the conference organizers had gone to great lengths to figure out how to serve communion to 1300 participants from multiple denominations. It may have taken more time to explain how to receive…
DetailsRecently Wendy was interviewed by Xander Gibb on his Radio Show Xandermonium. You can listen to the full show and find out more about Xandermonium here. Or listen to the portion with Wendy here.
DetailsA good number of years ago, when I was a young and inexperienced woman in ministry, a mentor showed me Janet Hagberg’s stages of power. It was an ‘aha’ moment for me. It gave me an understanding of some of the feelings, experiences, and efforts I was making in my life to become a freer…
DetailsThis is part three of a short blog series reflecting on the keynote that I facilitated for the WeConnect women’s retreat at the Gay Christian Network conference in January 2015. Together we shared practices and reminders that invite us to go deeper and farther in our spiritual lives. The next layer we applied to the…
DetailsRecently Wendy had the chance to be featured on the Nomad Podcast. Nomad Podcast is an chance to explore Christian community, mission and the future of the church. Join two ordinary pilgrims as they stumble through the post-Christendom wilderness, looking for signs of hope. Listen to the episode (podcast) and find out more about Nomad here. (Full link: http://www.podcastchart.com/podcasts/nomad-podcast/episodes/nomad-77-wendy-vanderwal-gritter-same-sex-relationships-and-how-to-lovingly-disagree)
DetailsAfter talking together about the practices of awakening, empowerment, relinquishment, and paradox, the women who gathered for WeConnect at the GCN Conference moved to another layer of the wheel representing seasons in our lives. This layer made use of ideas and symbols from the Medicine Wheel of our North American First Nations people. Now I…
DetailsI had the privilege of being asked to speak at the WeConnect women’s event that preceded the Gay Christian Network Conference in Portland. I was both honored and humbled to be asked – I guess it helps when you’re friends with a bunch of the folks organizing the event. I also felt myself faced with…
Details2014 has been a relatively lean year for the New Direction blog. With the release of the book, a busy schedule of ministry events, and my focus on my doctoral work, I haven’t had the space to write as much for the blog as I’d like. With Beth Carlson-Malena also contributing regularly, we look forward…
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