National Queer Presbyterian Gathering
Abiding in Truth and Love
November 18-20, 2025
Join us for three days of interactive workshops and community building as we gather queer Presbyterians in love, restoration, and power.
Together, we will:
- Explore the needs of our community;
- Determine the actions we need from our churches, leaders, and General Assembly; and
- Strategize on a collective plan to move the Presbyterian denomination forward.
Location
The Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Center
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Registration
Fee (event only) -- $75
Waived for BIPOC & trans/GNC folk
Housing (deadline Oct. 18)
Book a room | Also available when registering for event
Keynote Speaker
Bishop Yvette A. Flunder
is a trailblazing faith leader, activist, and advocate for justice and radical inclusion.
A third-generation preacher and native of San Francisco, she founded City of Refuge United Church of Christ in 1991 to serve marginalized communities, especially LGBTQIA+ individuals. She is the Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a coalition of primarily African American Christian leaders committed to full inclusion.
A longtime advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, Bishop Flunder stood on the steps of the Supreme Court before the 2015 Marriage Equality decision and served on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. She was one of five LGBTQIA+ faith leaders invited to President Biden’s inaugural prayer service in 2021.
Bishop Flunder holds advanced degrees from Pacific School of Religion and San Francisco Theological Seminary and has taught at numerous seminaries. A gospel artist and author of Where the Edge Gathers: A Theology of Homiletic and Radical Inclusion, she continues to inspire through music, ministry, and advocacy.
Bishop Flunder is a proud mother and grandmother, and recently celebrated 40 years of commitment and marriage to her partner in ministry and life - Ms. Shirley A. Miller, a renowned Gospel music artist.
Title: "Queering Worship: Expanding Our Vision of Worship for the Beloved Community”
Summary: This workshop will explore how worship can be reimagined through a queer theological lens to reflect the diversity and beauty of God’s people.
Facilitators: The Rev. Omar Rouchon, associate pastor at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston. A native of Rochester, New York, Rouchon studied political science at Yale, taught in public schools while earning an M.Ed. from the University of Houston, and holds an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School.
Amy Cerniglia alongside Omar will be representing Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
Title: “None of Us Are Free Until …”
Summary: Loving our neighbor isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a commandment. Our flourishing and liberation are intersectional and interdependent. None of us are free until all of us are free. Join us for a workshop on intersectionality that will challenge us to recognize overlapping systems of oppression and envision collective liberation rooted in love and solidarity.
Facilitators:
Jesy Littlejohn (they/them) is the Director of Operations at More Light Presbyterians. Jesy also divides their working time as the part-time administrator for three local churches, as the Social Media Producer for Presbyterian Outlook, and a coach with NEXTChurch. They are currently serving as the first openly LGBTQIA+ Moderator of National Capital Presbytery. When not working, Jesy uses their voice and passion as co-host of the podcast Embracing Race: Conversations with Truth and Intention.
Jesy lives in Laurel, Maryland with their wife Sara and two kiddos: son, Toby and daughter, Charlie. They are an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan, a Tom Hanks and Bluey enthusiast, and they hate, vehemently, peas and ham.
Rev. Brooke Scott (she/her) is a board member of More Light Presbyterians. She is an ordained PC(USA) pastor with experience in inclusive, justice-oriented ministry. Brooke is also a licensed social worker (LSW) and therapist who currently works part-time for Melanated Women’s Health. She primarily supports women of color and queer/trans folks who are navigating depression, anxiety, identity-related stress, and trauma.
Title: “Spiritual Direction for Queer Christians: Navigating in the Middle of the Storm”
Summary: Who cares about the contemplative practices of spiritual direction when you’re drowning in the flood?! Things are changing drastically from moment to moment. How can we navigate what we’re called to while coping with a crisis that threatens to erase us? This workshop will teach practices that will equip queer Christians for that goal and will explore the challenges and unique advantages that our identity and experience bring to the work.
Bio: Mx. Kate Davoli (they/them) has the honor of being the first person to have been dismissed from the ordination process of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for being openly polyamorous. Their call remains, however, and Davoli ministers to queer and ex-vangelical individuals and communities as an elder, lay preacher, spiritual director and teacher of vocational discernment. They earned an M.Div. at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and serve on the board of directors of More Light Presbyterians, Juniper Formation’s Daily Ripple Ministry and the ecumenical collaborative LAMP: the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Ministries of Pittsburgh. They are the author of two books, “The Chairperson's Toolbox” and “Group Discernment Bootcamp,” which address organizational decision-making based on The Discernment Compass, a process Davoli created.
Title: "Somatic Justice: Honoring All of Us"
Summary: Somatic justice is a way to confront racism, bigotry and discrimination within our culture. It teaches how we unlock the benefits of interdependence between our mind, body, spirit and actions. In this workshop, we will experience a brief introduction to how we dismantle structural oppression beginning right at home within ourselves. This workshop will examine how we embrace liberation through an embodied framework.
Bio: Deacon Samantha Paige Davis (she/they) is a native of Pittsburgh. They grew up in Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church. Davis serves as the Associate of Gender, Racial and Intercultural Justice. Davis is a graduate of American University. They are the founder of the Black Swan Academy in Washington, D.C., which fosters the development of Black youth leaders, and a lead organizer with Free DC. They previously served on national committees within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Black Women and Girls Advocacy Task Force and the Self Development of People. Their past work experience includes YWCA USA, the Urban League and local advocacy coalitions. They have been recognized by Essence Magazine’s 2019 Woke 100 as a change agent and power player.
Have questions about the event or grant applications?
Contact:
Samantha Davis
[email protected] or
Mikyle Johnson
[email protected]
