Hope in color with us, with the eight colors from Gilbert Baker’s original Pride flag. Find all the podcasts here. The Rainbow podcast represents the beautiful, diverse whole. Scroll past the series overview and listen in!
Colors of Hope is an eight-week series that features thought-provoking and reflection-oriented messages and practices. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and life’s ongoing challenges, with a surge of digital content and an increase in screen time, Colors of Hope invites us to experience the divine and all of creation through refreshing practices that require little or no online activity. What does hope look like in our changing landscape? What color is hope? Stay tuned for a compilation of the series with supplemental resources for use in your ministry or group.
Read about the purpose of and passion for this series, including the history of the Pride flag and life story of Gilbert Baker, a story of resilience and transformation. Read “Stones, flower petals + new life: Reflections from our Executive Director + Minister” here. Follow the series online. Find each week’s color, theme, reflections + practices below.
Listen to the Rainbow podcast featuring Marian Edmonds-Allen and Cameron Van Kooten Laughead alongside Alysha Laperche, Sophia Jackson, Melissa Guthrie Loy, Andy Deeb, YaNi Davis, Luther Young, Chaim (CJ) Rodriguez, and Allen Harris. Pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, turquoise and purple: find corresponding podcasts and speaker bios below.
“Paint the world with your beautiful queer selves…” “You are a human bridge made of the colors of hope.”
Find a transcript of the rainbow podcast here.
About Marian (she/they)… Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen is the director of Blessed by Difference and director of the LGBTQ+ Religious Liberty Project, as well as the executive director of Parity, a NYC-based national nonprofit that works at the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ concerns. Rev. Edmonds-Allen attended Western Theological Seminary and Eden Theological Seminary and has served in many pastoral capacities, including church planting, parish ministry and chaplaincy.
They are a sought after speaker, particularly for bridging divides across LGBTQ+ and faith differences topics and for her approach to inclusive religious freedom. She has worked with youth and families in various denominations and settings throughout the country for more than 20 years, focusing on strengths-based interventions and supports to affirm beliefs and faith practices for LGBTQ+ persons. She is married, has four children, and is a passionate skier and outdoor enthusiast.
About Cameron (he/him)… Cameron Van Kooten Laughead is the Executive Director of Room for All, the organization seeking justice and affirmation for LGBTQIA people in the Reformed Church in America. An Iowa native, Cameron is a lifelong member of the Reformed tradition and has served Room for All in various capacities since graduating college in 2013. He and his husband, Ian, recently resettled in Iowa and now call Des Moines home.
For the Week of May 25: Purple. Spirit.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “spirit” to the color purple. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Allen V. Harris.
Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About Allen (he/him)… The Rev. Allen V. Harris is the Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Capital Area and began his ministry there on June 15, 2015. He previously served as Senior Pastor of Franklin Circle Christian Church in Cleveland, Ohio, for 14 years where he helped to transform that congregation’s ministry within its richly diverse urban neighborhood just west of downtown Cleveland. Prior to that he served as Associate Pastor/Transitional Senior Pastor of the Park Avenue Christian Church of New York City for a decade, the congregation in which he was ordained into ministry in 1991. He is married to the Rev. Craig W. Hoffman, a United Church of Christ clergy person.
Rev. Harris brings to his ministry gifts and graces in many areas but is especially experienced in and passionate about leading congregations and individuals through Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation, Open & Affirming, and Accessible Congregational processes, as well as in transformational leadership, using social media for mission, and in mentoring new clergy.
The Capital Area Region, one of 31 Regions of the Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ) in the United States and Canada, consists of 39 local congregations, 2 Camp & Conference Centers, 3 Social Justice Ministries, 2 Social Service Agencies, over 170 clergypersons, and many, many lay leaders living the Good News and transforming lives around Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and northern Virginia.
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color purple and Baker’s theme of spirit?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color purple or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of May 18: Blue. Harmony.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “harmony” to the color blue. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Chaim (CJ) Rodriguez.
Encuentre una transcripción del podcast aquí. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
Sobre Chaim (el)… El Revdo. Chaim (CJ) Rodríguez está orgulloso de ser un ministro puertorriqueño queer ordenado por la denominación Discípulos de Cristo. En el presente, dirige la Iglesia Cristiana Nacional (Discípulos de Cristo) en Washington, DC. En el otoño de 2020 CJ comenzará un programa de PhD en Teología Sistemática en Luther Theological Seminary en Minneapolis, Minnesota. El vive su vida encarnando las palabras del Dr. Cornel West, “El amor es cómo se expresa la justicia en público.“
About Chaim (he/his)… Rev. Chaim (CJ) Rodriguez is a proud queer Puerto Rican ordained minister and Community Organizer in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He currently serves as the Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Nacional (Discípulos de Cristo). In the fall of 2020 he will begin his PhD in Systematic Theology at Luther Theological Seminary in Minneapolis Minnesota. CJ lives his life by the words of Dr. Cornel West, “Love is what Justice looks like in public.“
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color blue and Baker’s theme of harmony?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color blue or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of May 11: Turquoise. Magic. Art.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “magic” and “art” to the color turquoise. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Luther Young.
Scripture focus: John 14:15-21. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About Luther (h/him)… Rev. Luther Young, Jr. is a Disciples of Christ minister, musician, public theologian, and social justice advocate who focuses on racial equity and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Luther is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School and a current Ph.D. candidate in sociology at The Ohio State University. His current research investigates the causes and effects of homophobia in predominantly black churches.
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color turquoise and Baker’s theme of magic and art?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color turquoise or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of May 4: Green. Nature.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “nature” to the color green. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by YaNi Davis.
Scripture focus: 1 Peter 2: 2-10. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About YaNi (YaNi)… YaNi Davis is a graduate of Claremont School of Theology with a Masters of Divinity. YaNi has always been passionate about the impact of words, storytelling and healing as tools for transforming the global village. YaNi believes firmly in our power as storytellers and sets this example every day of her life, whether through the music she creates, the spoken word pieces she shares, the sermons she preaches or the wisdom she imparts into others. YaNi is a Kidney Transplant Survivor. She founded the ministry My SupaNatural Life and has dedicated her life to spreading awareness around wholistic care for those navigating varied phases of chronic conditions.
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color green and Baker’s theme of nature?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color green or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of April 27: Yellow. Sunlight.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “sunlight” to the color yellow. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Melissa Guthrie Loy.
Scripture focus: John 10:1-10. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About Melissa (she/her)… Melissa is the Executive Director + Minister of the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance. She lives in North Carolina with her wife and children. Yellow is one of her two favorite colors. She enjoys cycling and the symbolism drawn from bicycles; she transformed the front tire from her first 100-mile ride into a clock. The clock no longer works; sometimes things don’t work or they stop working. We find another path. More about Melissa’s path and professional experiences here. Life is a beautiful ride; where will we go?
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color yellow and Baker’s theme of sunlight?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color yellow or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of April 20: Orange. Healing.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “healing” to the color orange. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Andy Deeb.
Scripture focus: 1 Peter 1:3-9. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About Andy (he/him)… Andy is a transgender man who grew up in Michigan in a charismatic church in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He holds a MDiv from San Francisco Theological Seminary and is currently a PhD student in Hebrew Bible at Drew University. He has had a tumultuous relationship with Church. After coming out, he was kicked out of his church and barred from communion within the whole denomination. During that whole process, it was his experiences of the Spirit in worship and the Bible that were his foundation.
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color orange and Baker’s theme of healing?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color orange or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of April 13: Red. Life.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “life” to the color red. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Sophia Jackson.
Scripture focus: Colossians 3:1-4. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About Sophia (he/him, she/her)… Sophia is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion where he earned his Master of Divinity and Certificate of Spirituality and Social Change. Sophia is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples). She is the founder of Phoenix Outreach, a Recovery, and Re-entry program designed to assist those most impacted by incarceration who are seeking change and transformation. As a formerly incarcerated and substance involved individual, Sophia realized that there was a void in the work of the church regarding how the Church at large was responding to the plight that the Prison Industrial Complex is having on Black and Brown men, women, and youth; while on his journey in answering God’s call to ministry, he found that prison ministry was more than just a “call”, it was/is a passion. She also realized that there are people, like her, missing from the Table, which is where we remember the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ in many congregations across all denominations. In his work, Sophia seeks to assist churches in widening the circle of their concern in order for them to build bridges across differences so that the practice of Restorative Justice can begin to create the change we wish to see manifested in this world. Sophia knows and believes that incredible transformation can and will occur when powerful partnerships between community activists, law enforcement, city officials, and social service providers are nurtured by leaders of all faith paths so that God’s Beloved Community can be established NOW.
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color red and Baker’s theme of life?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color red or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.
For the Week of April 6: Pink. Sex.
On Monday, you are invited to
Gilbert Baker assigned “sex” to the color pink. What one word or theme would you assign to this color? Why?
Where do you see this color within your home and outdoors? With what song or genre of music does this color connect? What memory does this color bring to mind? What action does this color bring to mind?
On Tuesday, you are invited to
Listen to this podcast presented by Alysha Laperche.
Scripture focus: Philippians 2:5-11. Find a transcript of the podcast here.
About Alysha (they/them/theirs)… Alysha is the AllianceQ Ministry Intern and a student at Phillips Theological Seminary, pursuing their Master of Divinity (MDiv). They are a coffee enthusiast, sunset-lover, and aspiring author. Alysha grew up in the Tampa area of Florida and was first introduced to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in late elementary school when their family attended Brandon Christian Church. Their parents accepted a pastoral call from a Cumberland Presbyterian church. It was through their engagement with that congregation that they discerned my call to ministry at a young age. Alysha holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and through those studies. Their ordination process is with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of the Northern California-Nevada Region and their sponsoring congregation is Lafayette Christian Church. Through partnerships with organizations and ministries like the Disciples AllianceQ, they are excited to continue following their call to embody the inclusive love of God revealed in Jesus Christ; particularly through working to actualize the vision of setting a place at the table in faith communities for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
On Wednesday, you are invited to
What might you do to embody hope as it relates to the color pink and Baker’s theme of sex?
Suggested practices: Pray in color. Meditate. Walk. Dance. Journal. Bake or cook. Paint. Garden. Play.
On Thursday, you are invited to
Compose a poem. Make art. Make a sandcastle. Take pictures. Sew. Stitch. Crochet. Bake.
There’s an overlap with the invite to embody this color and theme. Is there something you can create as a result of yesterday’s embodied practice?
On Friday, you are invited to
Who in your life might benefit from a word of hope, which you have experienced through the color pink or these reflections?
Share with us and the AllianceQ community. What made you wonder? In what ways did the scripture and podcast engage you? How did you embody this color and theme? What did you create? We are excited to hear and see it all! Send material to melissa@disciplesallianceq.org. By submitting your material, you give permission for Disciples AllianceQ to publish all or portions of the content with attribution.