Living Death with Rachael Ward

Rachael Ward (they/them) is a public theologian and LGBTQ activist. Currently, Rachael is pursuing a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology - pastoral care at Columbia Theological Seminary.Rachael is the creator of the Living-Death Doula Model for Pastoral Care and cofounder of Bible Queery, a facilitation collective geared toward queer wellness and reconstruction. Rachael lives with their wife, Chelsea, and two fur-babies in Atlanta where they focus on talking about and working around death, grief, and death doulas.Topics Discussed:Upbringing: Faith did not help form identity, but kept Rachael from their identityWhat if I am gay? Shameful hiding and living a double lifeLife and Death Matters: Birth is beautiful burst of life, death is dark and terribleLiving-Death Narratives: Grief keeps disembodied beings stuckWhat is available pastorally? Affirming theology (a.k.a. the Biblical case)Persistent Queer Themes: Disassociation, minimizing, and spiritual rationingLiving-Death Directives: Start with zero expectations and consent conversationsSteps to a Better Life: Facilitation, accessible writing, and meaningful helpLinks and Resources:Rachael Ward’s Website - Queer in FaithLiving-Death DoulaBible QueeryAmerican Academy of Religion (AAR) Mosaic Grief by Melissa KelleyPeter Levine from the Ergos Institute, Inc. Howard Thurman Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés Pure by Linda Kay Klein2022 Q Christian Fellowship ConferenceMasterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond ShameQueerology Podcast on InstagramQueerology Podcast on TwitterBeyond Shame by Matthias RobertsMatthias Roberts on PatreonAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy