This is Nicole's penultimate episode of the podcast, so we knew our guest had to be someone extra-special! For over a decade, this incredible human being has been extremely close to Nicole and her family; so much so that he performed Nicole and Gustav's wedding in Scotland, and Nicole's sister's Memorial Service. Now, after *countless* mentions on the pod over the years, we finally sit down with the man, the myth, the legend, the REVEREND: Mark Montgomery! Mark discusses his small town South Carolina conservative Christian upbringing, and tells the "gayer than gay" story of how he came out to his mother at her hospital bedside (let's just say Steel Magnolias was involved). We talk faith vs. religion, Mark shares some "practical theology" you can use when confronted by intolerant Bible thumpers, and we take a deep dive into the misinterpretation of the oft-cited Sodom and Gomorrah story! This is an episode that you won't want to miss (and that you *will* want to send to your conservative family members)...

Mark gives an incorrect handle at the end of this ep, so make sure you *actually* follow him on Instagram at @markdmontgomery (and feel free to reach out)! Some of the people and resources he mentions during this episode include the United Church of Christ's website (ucc.org), Janie Spahr (https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/jane-adams-spahr), and More Light Presbyterians (mlp.org).