We're back with the first of our "sorry for the unexpected hiatus but life happened to Taylor" back-to-back episodes. Today, we've got Katie Simbala talking about

that charismatic conservatism that a lot of Latinxs grow up with, ministry on the outskirts, being faithfully LGBT and faithfully polyamorous, and most importantly, tamales at Christmas time.

As always, you can email us for all your podcast-related comments at [email protected]. I am always looking for fascinating people to bring onto the show, so if you fall in that intersection of LGBTQ and Latinx, hit me up.

Katie's social media:

www.facebook.com/worshipex 

www.thetriadfam.com 

www.instagram.com/kap2ure

Hiatuses aren't great, especially unplanned ones. But we're bouncing back from ours now and have some things for you to look forward to!

Today's guest is Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks, who shares her experiences of Puerto Rican identity and culture here in the States as well as the fraught history of colonialism and Christianity that formed Puerto Rico and Latin America as we know it today. What have we lost and gained through that history, and what does that knowledge mean today for Puerto Ricans on and off the island? Marilyn also shares the litany of amazing justice work she’s doing to heal and uplift her community.

Follow Rev. Marilyn on social media.

Instagram: @hood_n_holy

Twitter: @mujerdediosmpb

Taylor's guest today is our podcast logo designer Yadi Martinez-Reyna and we chat about everything from growing up in the borderlands between the United States and Mexico to authenticity in telling stories to the cool work they’re doing at First UCC Second Life.

Keep up with Yadi here:

website: cre8tivepastor.org

Instagram: @creativeliberal

In our first episode, Rev. Edwin Perez Jr. shares memories of growing up in Puerto Rico and his tumultuous journey accepting his sexuality in light of his Pentecostal upbringing. He and Taylor also discuss latinidad and the fraught attempts at trying to define who counts as Latinx.

Follow Rev. Edwin Perez Jr.!

Website: https://therevperez.com/about-me/

Instagram: @therevperez

This episode was recorded well before our official launch, so the toolkits are out now! https://www.ucc.org/proyecto_encuentros_gracia_y_bienvenida_toolkits