the spacemakers spacemakers podcast

ahhh the long-awaited series finale ! we've been sitting on this one for a while and have finally got around to dropping our last episode ever!! this was recorded back in July 2023 and we cover topics such as : where we are at now, what our relationships with god are like, what we've learned, what we may have done differently, how we've found community, our healing journies, our thoughts on moving forward after church, and more!

from the bottom of our hearts we are so grateful for these past few years and are so excited for all that is to come. we love you all and are wishing you all peace, healing, community, and comfort!

keep making space and oh! #freepalestine

Join the Spacemakers for the final episode of our LGBTQIA+ series as we get personal and share about our own lives and thought processes regarding this topic!!

We'll be adding more resources this week!

As always, thank you for listening and making space!

In our third episode of our LGBTQIA+ series, Janai and Devon discuss why the Spacemakers wanted to talk about this subject, and Meigan and Rachel talk about what they’ve learned about affirming theology.

RESOURCES (just a few to get you started) :

Podcasts:
To Be Gay Affirming #10: You Have Permission
The Bible and Intersex Believers : The Bible for Normal People
The Bible and The Gay Christian : The Bible for Normal People
LGBTQIA+ : The Liturgists

Academia References:
Sexing the Body-- Anne Fausto Sterling, 2000

Books:
"Changing our Mind", David P. Gushee
"God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Marriages", Matthew Vines
"Unclobber", Colby Martin
"Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians", Austen Hartke
“Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate in Same-Sex Relationships”, James V. Brownson

Misc.
"Pray Away" documentary on Netflix
"1946" Documentary
Romans 1, Dr. James Brownson

Instagram:
@theReformationProject : Bible-based approach to LGBTQ inclusion

Thanks for joining us for the LGBTQIA+ series of the Spacemakers podcast! In this series we're going to be exploring the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, different interpretations of the Bible that affirm LGBTQIA+ Christians and individuals, questions submitted by all of you (the listeners), and concluding discussion with all of the Spacemakers. We're so excited to be addressing and exploring this topic with all of you, we hope it catalyzes healing for those negatively affected by harmful theology and praxis, in addition to providing inspiration for allies and current members of the ICOC. 



Welcome to the second episode in our LGBTQIA+ series-- Sebastian's Story!! This one gets SPICY y'all🔥

*Trigger Warning* This episode does contain mentions of s*xual a*sault, b*llying, and mental health issues.

If you haven't already, please listen to episode one of our series and prepare for next week as we will discuss different Biblical interpretations surrounding sexuality with spacemakers Rachel Gonzalez, MPH, and Meigan Whitcomb.



SERIES SCHEDULE -- 

June 3rd : queer stories in the ICOC

June 10th : sebastian's story

June 17th : "Gay and Christian?"

June 23rd : discussion and Q & R

Thanks for joining us for the LGBTQIA+ series of the Spacemakers podcast! In this series we're going to be exploring the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, different interpretations of the Bible that affirm LGBTQIA+ Christians and individuals, questions submitted by all of you (the listeners), and concluding discussion with all of the Spacemakers. We're so excited to be addressing and exploring this topic with all of you, we hope it catalyzes healing for those negatively affected by harmful theology and praxis, in addition to providing inspiration for allies and current members of the ICOC.



This episode is one of the most important episodes we've ever made.

**Trigger Warning** : this episode contains conversations around conversion therapy, s*icide ideation, mental health struggles and more.

This episode is truly our "why" and why it is important that we make space for experiences and opinions that might be different than our own. We hope you can listen with compassion and empathy and truly take these stories to heart.

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank the contributors of this episode who entrusted us with their stories. We see you, support you, and affirm you.



SERIES SCHEDULE --

June 3rd : queer stories in the ICOC

June 10th : sebastian's story

June 17th : "Gay and Christian?"

June 23rd : discussion and Q & R



ACADEMIC RESOURCES--

definitions and "sexuality 101" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqt-_ILgv5c (scientific articles/research sourced are in the video description)

psychology of sex & sexuality (brief history, definitions and some research conclusions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qymp_VaFo9M

[More to be added soon]

Buckle Up for the major drop we have in store for you all today!! We’re talking about racial justice with Kevin Holland and James Sulewski. We cover topics like:

Generational Differences
Friendship
Brief Church History regarding Racial Dynamics
Church Structure and in what ways the Church needs to adjust
And more!

At the end, Izzy makes a brief statement regarding the pending lawsuits against the ICOC, HOPEww, etc around the 1:48:45 mark.

Rolling Stones Article Linked Here

For more information regarding how to pursue racial justice in churches, please check out
- Christians Seeking Justice group on Facebook and their website

They have a seminar coming up February 18th @ 10am over ZOOM for those who want to learn more

CSJ Seminar
CSJ Website Resources



- Disciples Working to Abolish the New Jim Crow group on Facebook
- List of Books Recommended by James and Lisa Sulewski

“Rediscipling the White Church” David Swanson
“I’m still here, Black dignity in a world made for whiteness” Austin Channing Brown
“Faithful Anti-racism” Christina Barland Edmundson & Chad Brennan
“Unsettling Truths” Mark Charles & Soong-Chan Rah
“Stamped from the Beginning” Ibram Kendi
“Between the world and Me” Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Be the Bridge” Latasha Morrison
“When they call you a Terrorist” Patrice Kahn-Cullors & Asha Bandela

As always, thank you so much for listening and keep making space!