Southminster Church hosts Open Hearts - Open Doors

Southminster Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights invites the community to "Open Hearts - Open Doors," on Sunday, Feb. 11 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. The church is located at 916 E. Central Road (at Dryden Avenue, across from the Moorings).

Four guest speakers will share their personal experiences and journeys in the LGBTQ community and will discuss the role of faith communities in ending the violence, fear and discrimination that LGBTQ people face. A question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.

Panelists include Rich Havard, pastor and executive director, The Inclusive Collective, University of Illinois Chicago; John Hickey, president, Northern Illinois Council of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and father of a gay son; Zoie Sheets, UIC student and inclusivity intern, The Inclusive Collective; and Rev. Emily Snowden, pastor, Congregational United Church of Christ, Arlington Heights.

"We hope to begin conversations about the needs of LGBTQ people and the creation of safe and inclusive communities for all God's children," says Jan Tossman, panel moderator and mother of a gay son.

Light refreshments will be served. Free childcare is available. An RSVP is appreciated: call the church office at 847-392-1060 or email silkpalette@gmail.com.