NSP QUEER CLERGY COHORTS

NEW IN 2024!

With the generous support of the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Nevertheless She Preached is excited to announce 2024 queer clergy cohorts!

In the fall of 2021, Barna Group Research found that 38% of pastors had considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year. When intensified by the particular pressures of belonging to a marginalized group, the chance of burnout among queer clergy is especially high. Queer pastors face harm from casual microaggressions and dehumanization, to hate mail and both formal and informal ostracization in clergy networks and institutions.  We believe that by supporting queer clergy, we are helping the whole church move towards inclusion and healing.

 

Furthermore, research demonstrates that LGBTQ youths who grow up in religious contexts have higher rates of suicidal ideations and suicide attempts than youth who grow up outside of religious contexts. The representation that queer clergy provide to other LGBTQ persons of faith, especially youth, is immeasurably significant, because their visibility helps normalize queer identities for all people of faith.

 

So if you are queer clergy, we are here to support you!

What You Get:

  • Participation in an intimate, facilitator-led cohort with seven other queer (female or non-binary) clergy. Cohorts will meet online for eight sessions via Zoom.

  • Free registration to the Nevertheless She Preached Conference 2024.

  • Travel stipends of up to $600 per person for travel and lodging at the NSP conference. (Stipend amount determined by distance traveled to conference.)

 

How to Participate:

  • Fill out the application to be considered for a cohort. We only have 16 spots available, so the sooner you apply, the better. Applications will close March 8, 2024.

  • You must be able to commit to traveling to attend the NSP conference, as your final cohort session will be held in person at the conference.

  • You must be able to commit to attending at least seven out of the eight cohort sessions.

    • Cohort A will be led by Rev. Angela Yarber and will take place the first and third Thursday of the month at 11am CT/12pm ET beginning June 6.

    • Cohort B will be led by Rev. Kentina Washington-Leapheart and will take place every other Tuesday at 11am CT/12pm ET beginning June 11.

  • If you are selected for a cohort, there will be a $40 participation fee to reserve your spot and signal your commitment to the cohort. (Please note that this amount will be returned to you as part of your travel stipend. If for any reason you do not travel to the conference, the deposit will not be returned. If the fee is a significant barrier to participation, please talk with us, and we will try to work with you.)