First Lutheran Church’s series on addressing bias in our lives continues next week with a session on welcoming people into our community.

“Acceptance is a continuous process to understand, reconcile and welcome all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities or social and economic status,” Rev. Jeff Ewing, pastor at First Lutheran said.

“This education series is designed to help us learn how our biases have historically marginalized people and may contribute to continued discrimination.”

The next session in the three-part series is set for Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. and is entitled “TEDD TALKS: Welcoming People and Addressing Our Biases.”

Ewing said the speaker will be Pastor Tedd Cogar, senior assessment coordinator and LGBTQIA support at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

“In his career, Tedd has acted as advisor to the Pride Alliance, Identity and You, and Colors in Unity,” Ewing said. “He serves at the Lutheran Campus Ministry at IUP and shepherds two congregations, Luther Chapel in Coral and Zion Lutheran Church in Indiana.”

The first speaker in the series was Alex Watkins, who spoke back in November about reconciling with First Nations people.

The third speaker, Dr. John John will speak in may regarding the stigma directed towards people with mental illness.

“Understanding unconscious biases can help address discrimination and encourage seeking help,” Ewing said. “Everyone is invited to come and participate in these talks.”