2025 Homecoming & The Queer Intersectionality and Public Church Symposium
Join us Monday, April 28-Wednesday, April 30, 2025, for a one-of-a kind event where Homecoming and the Queer Intersectionality and the Public Church Symposium will come together to offer intentional learning opportunities and gathering events for the LSTC community, Chicago-area congregations, advocates and interested others.
Information about registration, reunions, lodging and a detailed schedule follows. Alums registering for Homecoming have full access to the Queer Symposium.
Class reunion gatherings
Class Reunions are being arranged for the classes of 1975, 1985, 2000, and 2015, and will be offered both in person and virtually on Monday afternoon, April 28, 2025. You must register for your reunion using the form provided below.
Registration Fees
(for LSTC Alums and graduates of LSTC predecessor institutions)
- $125.00 | early registration (ends 3/17/25)
- $125.00 | recent grads (class of 2019 – 2024)
- $175.00 | regular registration
- $ 75.00 | virtual/daily registration
- $ 0.00 | LSTC students, faculty and staff; register by April 11, 2025
Group Rates are available for congregations/organizations with 3 or more attendees using the group registration form below; first registration at full rate, each additional reduced by $50.00. To register your group, contact Jessica Houston at jhouston@lstc.edu or 773.256.0697.
Lodging
Rooms have been reserved under the group name Homecoming/Queer Symposium at the Hyatt Place Chicago South/University Medical Center for the dates of Sunday, April 27th – Thursday, May 1st with a rate of $184 per night plus taxes. To make reservations, go to: Homecoming/Queer Symposium Block Booking Link or call 888.591.1234. The registration deadline has been extended until Friday, April 11, 2025. To book dates outside of the block, book your reservation first, then contact Ms. Teja Syers, Sales Manager (teja.syers@hyatt.com) with your confirmation number.
Schedule
Monday, April 28, 2025
| 8:30am | Alumni Board Meeting |
| 10:00am | Registration (all day – 1st floor lobby) Coffee/Hospitality (LSTC Lobby) |
| 11:30am | Worship & Opening Session |
| 1:00pm | Lunch: Affinity Groups |
| 2:00pm | Student Creative Expressions Workshop |
| 3:30pm | Reunion Gatherings |
| 5:00pm | Casual Dinner |
| 6:00pm | Plenary: Still We Rise: Queer Joy as Resistance in an Age of Erasure |
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
| 8:30am | Morning Prayer |
| 9:00am | Developing Awareness Workshop: Queering Our Congregations Developing Resistance Workshop: Queer Liturgy as Joy & Resistance |
| 10:30am | Break |
| 10:45am | Developing Awareness Workshop: Interrogating Allyship Developing Resistance Workshop: Queer Intersectional Activism |
| 12:15pm | Lunch Break |
| 1:30pm | Panel: Queer and Lutheran: Alumni Stories of Resistance |
| 4:00pm | Distinguished Alumni Awards and Anniversary Celebration Student Session |
| 6:00pm | Awards Reception |
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
| 8:30am | Morning Prayer |
| 10:00am | Panel: Trans Joy and the Role of the Church |
| 11:30am | Worship & Closing Celebration |
| 1:00pm | Light Reception |
Contact us!
For more information or questions email: advancement@lstc.edu or call Jessica Houston, 773.256.0697