13 Jun

10:00

Congrescentrum de Eenhoorn

Barchman Wuytierslaan 2, Amersfoort

A symposium for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, and their allies, exploring the intersection of gender identity and Christian faith.

Symposium: Wonderfully Made

More info & tickets

Wonderfully Made

The Wondermooi team organizes the 'Wonderfully Made' symposium. This event is for transgender, non-binary, and all other gender non-conforming individuals who see themselves as religious or spiritual with a Christian background. Their loved ones and other interested parties are also warmly welcome. The symposium aims to bring the life experiences of transgender, non-binary, and all other gender non-conforming people into conversation with the various sources of Christian faith.

Keynote Speaker: Mounir Samuel

Mounir Samuel is a political scientist, renowned journalist, award-winning author of more than a dozen books, cultural entrepreneur, and performance artist of Egyptian-Dutch descent. He operates at the intersection of politics, climate change, media, gender, language, art, culture, religion, and social issues. He travels to the most remote places to study and amplify colonized, marginalized, and neglected perspectives and voices on social issues and international relations. Mounir is the author of books such as Diary of a Searching Christian, Necessary Conversations: Reflections on a New World, and You Can't Say Anything Anymore: A New Language for a New Time.

Workshops

Who Knows Us by Name: A Blessing in the Church Service at a Moment of Your Transition

We will look at a liturgical text presented by the Protestant Church in 2019. In it, you can present yourself with a new name in a church service at a significant moment of your transition and receive a blessing over your new identity. Would you want something like this, how would you shape it, or have you done it? Do you have a congregation where this would be possible? Given by Theo Hettema.

Everyday Drag: Experimenting with Makeup and Gender Expression

Pronouns, the clothes you wear, posture, voice... Gender is communication, and we are constantly mirroring to each other who we see and how we want to be seen. In this workshop, we will explore what you want to show the outside world and what steps are right for you. Given by Jetske Christoff Venema.

In Conversation about Being Gender-Diverse and a Believer: What Is It Like for You?

This workshop focuses on meeting others. Together, we will exchange experiences about being trans/non-binary and a believer. How do these two things come together for you? Do you find it pleasant or valuable to be gender-diverse and a believer? Are there also things that make it difficult? Given by Aafke Uilhoorn.

Creatively Expressing Gender Diversity and Faith

What is it like for you to be gender-diverse and a believer? During this workshop, we will first take a moment to reflect on these questions. Then, we will work with various materials to create something. With paper, clippings, stamps, etc., we will make a collage or a zine. Given by Aafke Uilhoorn.

Reading the Bible Trans

The Bible has often been used to promote a traditional view of gender. Sometimes this is accurate: the text can be quite cisnormative and patriarchal. But those who read from a feminist, queer, or trans perspective also see other things. In this workshop, we will briefly discuss some key principles of queer and trans hermeneutics (the interpretation of texts). Then we will dive into the Bible ourselves to explore some exciting texts. Given by Mariecke van den Berg.

Your Voice

Voice and body are closely connected. In this workshop, you will (re)discover yours with others. We will experiment with different ways of using our voices and how they make you feel at this moment in your transition while enjoying the feeling of singing together. No singing experience required! Given by Mart.

Experiences of Loved Ones of Transgender People

Not only your child is transitioning: it is an intensive time in which relationships, memories, and future expectations change. Transitioning also has an impact on your child's relationship with faith and the church. And that can influence your own faith, as well as your relationship with the church. In our workshop, we will reflect on this complex of topics. Given by Ellemieke and Mart.