Our Lives Matter - Living LGBTQ+ (Oct 11 2021)

What are the challenges of living as a LGBTQ+ Christian? In this Zoom event, two of our friends will share their stories from their intersectional contexts. You will reaffirm the importance of being an Open and Affirming congregation and how/what we can move forward.   Storyteller: Myles Markham (he/him or they/them) is a Los Angeles based graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, an Impact Producer for Multitude Films, and a Mission Specialist for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the disaster and refugee response ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Previous to these roles, Myles served as a faith organizer, educator, and consultant in the issue areas of racial, reproductive, and LGBTQ justice.   Storyteller: Rev. Jon Gilbert Martinez (él, he, him, his), Gilbert as he prefers, is a multi-generational Tejano (Texan) and Chicano (Mexican-American) who's lived in Chicago since 2015. He is a 2019 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary graduate with a Master of Divinity. He also holds a bachelor's degree in sociology minor in psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American and two associate degrees from South Texas College. Before being called as designated-term pastor (February 2021) to concentrate on interim work, Gilbert served San Lucas UCC-Chicago as the digital outreach minister, community pastoral care minister, and pulpit supply minister. He serves as vice-moderator for the Chicago Metropolitan Association, which allows him a seat on the Illinois Conference Council. Additionally, he works as the communications consultant for The Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries. Recently, he joined Advocate-Aurora Health's Mission & Spiritual Care committee. Gilbert also served as a board member and vice-chair for the UCC Mental Health Network Board of Directors. As an advocate for mental health awareness, Black Lives Matter, immigration justice, LGBTQ community, and an extravagant welcome to all of God's children, to name a few, Gilbert has completed Mental Health First Aid and Companionship training. Part of his self-care includes spending time with his family, consisting of his two-year-old son, teenage nieces, sister, husband, and fur babies.   Moderator: Charing Wei-Jen Chen (he/him) is a PhD student at Chicago Theological Seminary. His M.Div thesis is titled “Reading Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 in a queer lens” (2014), a first theological essay regarding queer theory in Taiwan. He is co-hosting the Queer of God Podcast that provides queer bible commentaries in Mandarin. He loves Star Trek and The Beatles. Affirming ministry at United Church of Hyde Park https://www.uchpchicago.org/affirming-ministries.html #UCHP #BestONA -- United Church of Hyde Park (1448 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615) More information, https://uchpchicago.org/