Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Registration is still open for the 13^th annual National Multicultural Conference this month.

Meeting in Charlotte, N.C., April 26-29, the conference “seeks to explore the many ways we can, individually and collectively, identify and dismantle the barriers to God’s open door, building hope and promise,” according to its registration booklet.

Filled with worship, workshops, speakers and cultural celebrations, the event is aimed at clergy and laity alike who want to grow the church “deep in faith and wide in culture,” said Raafat Girgis, associate for multicultural congregational support.

The conference’s theme this year, based on Acts 10-11, is “God’s Door is Open: Who Are We to Stand in the Way?” We should see changes in our church and cultures not as threats but as blessings, Girgis said.

“With diversity comes innovation and with innovation comes growth,” he said. “It is absolutely our faith that innovation comes when differences exist.”

Online registration ($325) for the conference is available here. Pre-conference events, including workshops on anti-racism training, immigration issues and women’s leaderships, run from noon-9 p.m. on April 25.