In this week's Gospel, we explore Jesus' invitation to "come and see" and how that might resonate with queer communities.

In this week's episode, we unveil our new, longer format podcast! You get more about what we're up to, hear a listener question, and of course, we queer a text!

In this episode, we:

• Talk about the new website and what's coming up with Queer Theology [starting at 0:35]
• Talk about what's going on in our personal lives [starting at 2:22]
• Answer a reader question about books for young people wanting to know more about sexual identity [starting at 6:19]
• Share about the online community and things that are coming up next [starting at 11:12]
• Queer the Gospel of John and talk about the good news of queer community [starting at 12:13]

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you'd like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] (more deets in the ep)

John 1:29-42.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, 'He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.' Even I didn't recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel." John testified, "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn't recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and testified that this one is God's Son."

The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, "Look! The Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus.

When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, "What are you looking for?"

They said, "Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?"

He replied, "Come and see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.

One of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Christ). He led him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

Happy New Year from the QueerTheology.com team! We're excited to be back behind the mics and rolling out new episodes with you.

In this episode, we talk about: - How we spent our new year's eve - New Year resolutions vs goals vs word of the year - Sexual resolutions - Upcoming courses (how to queer the Bible! trans theology! and more!) - Update on our Patreon campaign - How you can be featured on the podcast

What are you looking forward to in 2020? We'd love to hear from you. Tag us on social media to let us know.

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you'd like to be featured in the episode, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] (more deets in the ep)

As you may know by now, we're taking a break this December to work on things behind the scenes. We are reorganizing and redesigning the website to make it more helpful for everyone. Also, we are taking this time to brainstorm on how to make the podcast even better. So stay tuned for that. Until then, here's one of our favorite Christmas-themed podcasts.

The birth of Jesus brings out a lot of emotions and learnings for Christianity, but most especially to queer folks. As we fight against injustice and oppression, we sometimes get frustrated at ourselves, at our lack of power, and our lack of time. But the narrative reminds us of someone who was born a child, learned His way through life and experience, and ultimately fulfilled His purpose on Earth. So take the time to learn. Breathe deeply. Be patient.

Today's episode highlights:

• What's up with Matthew's birth narrative?
• What does it mean that Jesus was born where and when he was?
• What can we learn from this story as queer people?
• Brian and Shay tackle a common Christmas story and put a queer spin on it.

Thank you for listening to this podcast. If this or any of our podcasts mean something to you, or you find the articles and videos transformative, engaging and inspiring we would like to ask for your support in order for us to continue with this work and touch more lives. It would mean the world to us if you can visit and support us at patreon.com/queertheology.

Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn't want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:

Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,

And they will call him, Emmanuel.

(Emmanuel means "God with us.")

When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife.

As you all may know by now, Brian and Shay are taking December to regroup, redesign the website and prepare for the relaunch of the podcast in 2020. We are working hard behind the scenes, so we will be republishing vintage, but some of our best Advent podcasts

As Advent draws near, let's take a look at how this very important season resonates from a queer perspective. How does Advent and all the happenings in the world make it all seem like we are in anguish waiting, but also feeling like a new dawn is coming on the horizon?

Today's episode highlights:

• How this church season resonates to us
• What does all of this waiting call us to do?

Thank you for listening to this podcast. If this or any of our podcasts mean something to you, or you find the articles and videos transformative, engaging and inspiring we would like to ask for your support in order for us to continue with this work and touch more lives. It would mean the world to us if you can visit and support us at patreon.com/queertheology.

Brian and Shay's December will be a month to take a break from all podcast-related work to redesign the website and relaunch these podcasts. So with that, we will be republishing some of our best Advent podcasts from some years ago.

Advent is starting and we share with you some ways that you can observe the season, even if you aren't connected to a church or faith community. We also get into how Advent might be particularly resonant with LGBTQ folks and what the queer experience can add to the season.

If you're looking for a supportive, spiritual community, we would love to welcome you to Sanctuary Collective. Learn more at queertheology.com/community

Today's episode highlights:

• Some ways to help you slow down and reflect on the past year
• Book suggestion: The First Christmas by Borg and Crossan
• The Christian tradition and pagan tradition
• LGBTQ Christian Guide to Self Care

We hope that this episode refreshed you a bit. While we take some time off of the podcast in order to regroup and implement our 2020 plans, we ask for your support so we can continue to make this work sustainable.

If you would like to help, please visit patreon.com/queertheology. It would mean a lot to us.

Our podcast interview mini-series has come to an end and we had a blast sharing some listener stories with you. More's coming (hopefully) if we can get the support we need over on Patreon.

In this episode, Fr. Shay and Brian share some 2020 plans for Queer Theology, respond to a reader question, talk about self-care around unaffirming families (especially during the holidays), and give a sneak peek of what's to come on the podcast in December and in the new year.

Today's episode highlights:

• Do I need to come out? Is it okay to just lie?
• Living within and feeling safe in an unaffirming family
• Resource: Navigating around unaffirming families here
• Podcast plans for the holidays
• Website revamp

We had such a great time doing interviews of some Sanctuary Collective members and we'd like to continue doing this. We want to even extend these interviews and bring in more and more guests.

Aside from these podcasts, we want to continue providing informative and helpful content that is vital to a lot of queer folks. We are so excited to do so many things next year: launch more courses and resources, do longer podcasts, and publish informative articles. BUT we definitely need your help.

If in any way, these resources have been helpful to you, we would appreciate it if you visit and support us over at patreon.com/queertheology.