We Are Compatible

On October 11th, National Coming Out Day, Alex and Josh sat down with former lead singer of Christian rock band Everyday Sunday. In May of this year, Trey came out publicly in 6-1-4 Magazine as a gay man. As a married father of two and having spent the last several years in the spotlight of conservative evangelicalism, Trey embarked on the journey to navigate and honor his truth while balancing his personal, creative, professional, and faith commitments. Trey shares about the events that led him to his decision to come out and about what lies ahead for him. Learn more about Trey at www.treypearson.com or at www.facebook.com/treypearson. He also tweets at @treypearson. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticit

This week's guest is Reconciling Ministries Network's Northern Regional Organizer Lois McCullen Parr. Lois has found two life-giving locations in her journey: the church, and the LGBTQ community. However, the overlap of these two communities has been rare (and even harmful). This intersection is where Lois heard God’s call to ministry at age 40. In seeking to be faithful to the Gospel revealed in Jesus, Lois hopes to preach and teach about the God who created us good, and loves us no matter what. Lois’ favorite Bible verse is “nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8), and she hopes that ministry can be a source of healing and justice. In addition to her part-time organizing with RMN in The UMC, Lois also serves as a facilitator for “Doing Our Own Work: An Anti-Racism Seminar for White People” with Allies for Change; and as a facilitator for Creating Culturally Proficient Communities in Ypsilanti Community Schools. Recorded on 11/16/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to e

M Barclay serves as RMN’s Director of Communications and served for two years as staff liaison to United Methodist Alliance for Transgender Inclusion. A life-long Methodist seeking ordination as a deacon, M hails from Florida where they worked for the Wesley Foundation and received a BA in Communications. While later attending seminary at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, they worked as a hospital chaplain. Since, they have served as Justice Associate and Youth Director at University UMC in Austin, Texas and as Faith Network Coordinator at Texas Freedom Network. Recorded on 11/08/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail

Passionate about social justice and intersectional advocacy, Joey has worked with people of faith in Chicago, Detroit, and communities across North Carolina organizing and empowering them to claim their voice for justice in the world. His own intersecting identities as a queer white-latino shape his commitment to economic, racial, gender, and queer liberation and justice both inside and outside communities of faith. You can follow Joey on Twitter at @loeyjopez07.  Recorded on 11/06/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please click the link below

This week Alex and Josh share their reactions to the 32-member commission named by the United Methodist Council of Bishops. This commission is being charged with finding a way forward for the denomination which is deeply divided over whether or not it should abandon or alter its current position on homosexuality. During the episode, both hosts reference an article from United Methodist Insight. Here is a link to the article.  http://um-insight.net/in-the-church/finance-and-administration/council-of-bishops-names-32-members-to-commission/ Recorded on 10/26/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you

Sile Singleton is an intriguing individual who challenges labels of sex, gender, and sexuality.  Join us we hear Sile's story.  Having grown up in the small river town of Zanesville, Ohio, to families on both sides with a history of service as clergy, Sile literally grew up in the church.  Now a member of Summit United Methodist Church in Columbus, Sile works to create spaces where others can feel free to give voice to who they are. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please click the link below: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-3552487593902536960 Or

On this week's episode of 'We Are Compatible,' we meet Bobbi and Christy.  Join us as we hear their story, learn about their journeys to understanding themselves, taking their first steps into building a life together, and to becoming parents.  We were incredibly blessed to be able to hear their story.  We know you will be as well!  Recorded on 10/4/16.  The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please click the link below: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-3552487593902536960 Or mail checks to: Equality Ohio Education Fund; 118 E. Main St; Columbus, OH 43215

Alex and Josh have a conversation about their reactions to the Wesleyan Covenant Association. Listen in and hear their thoughts. They also invite you, their listeners, to chime in via e-mail and social media. Join us, and be a part of the conversation! Recorded on 6/11/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please mail checks to: Equality Ohio Education Fund; 118 E. Main St; Columbus, OH 43215.  Write 'We Are Compatible' in the memo line.

Rev. Laura Young is the senior pastor at Summit on 16th United Methodist Church in Columbus, OH.  She is also the Director of the Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  Laura along with a large contingent of other clergy across the United States formally came out as LGBTQ in a letter.  Despite the language in the Book of Discipline, Rev. Young is showing everyday that LGBTQ persons can and do serve in meaningful ways. Recorded on 9/27/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please mail checks to: Equality Ohio Education Fund; 118 E. Mai

Ken Schoon is a clergy candidate in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Discerning his need to be authenticate in his candidacy process, Ken came out as a "self-avowed practicing homosexual" to his district committee on ordination. This bold move and the responses of others within the denomination has sparked conversations throughout the West Ohio Conference and the entire denomination, sparking other candidates to come out during their own processes and fueling conversation about the role of human sexuality in the ordination process. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you woul

What kind of business are are we about in the United Methodist Church? If the denomination were to take an aptitude test, what, based on our attributes and qualities, would be our recommended profession? Join us as Josh and Alex have a conversation with Rev. John Girard about the journey that his life has taken him on and the new liberation that he feels after having come out as one of the West Ohio Six. Recorded on 9/13/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please mail checks to: Equality Ohio Education Fund; 118 E. Main St; Columbus, OH 43215.

On the morning of September 5, 2016, Josh and Alex were able to sit down for a phone conversation with Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Regoin. Bishop Oliveto graciously shared her story of finding her calling, not in spite of who she is, but because of it. She also shares her vision and her hope for the United Methodist Church as we move forward. We were incredibly blessed to be able to chat with and to be able to share her story and insights with all of you, our listeners. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please mail checks to: Equalit

In our second episode of 'We Are Compatible,' Josh and Alex dive into Alex's story to better understand his journey to accept himself as a trans man and what brings him to this work of trying to make the United Methodist Church a more welcoming place and also why he feels it might be time to leave the denomination behind. Recorded on 8/23/16. The purpose of 'We Are Compatible' is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please mail checks to: Equality Ohio Education Fund; 118 E. Main St; Columbus, OH 43215.  Write 'We Are Compatible' in the memo line. Thanks to Mark Miller, William Beer and

In this first episode of We Are Compatible, you'll get to know Josh, one of the host's of the show. Hear about his journey through the ex-gay movement and how that led him to the United Methodist Church and the debate within the denomination over human sexuality. Recorded on 8/17/16 The purpose of 'We Are Compatible is to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as their allies in order to show that, regardless of what the United Methodist Book of Discipline may say, they are, in fact, compatible. Please join hosts, Alex Shanks and Josh Culbertson, as they explore these stories of courageous authenticity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearecompatible Twitter: @wearecompatible E-mail: wercompatible@gmail.com If you would like to support this podcast financially, please mail checks to: Equality Ohio Education Fund; 118 E. Main St; Columbus, OH 43215.  Write 'We Are Compatible' in the memo line. Thanks to Mark Miller, William Beer and the choir of Clifton United Methodist Church, Nick Federinko,