Gratitude for the service of outgoing Council Members
With a litany of thanksgiving and farewell at the September Council meeting, AllianceQ honors the service and leadership of Robin Knauerhase and Tyler Heston.
For her faithful commitment to setting a place at the table for all, we celebrate the service and leadership of Robin Knauerhase.
Give to the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance – AllianceQ in honor of Robin Knauerhase.
“Robin is truly gifted in the area of administration. Not only has she been a committed member of the Council and a huge supporter of the Alliance, but she has also been instrumental in ensuring the transition of our Executive Director + Minister has been as smooth as possible. Above all, I appreciate Robin’s ability to embody the role of “first among equals” with a spirit of joy and levity.”
“Robin’s passion and zeal for the mission of AllianceQ has been evident in every aspect of her work with the organization. In her time on the council, she has truly lived into the missional statement of AllianceQ – setting a place at the table for people of all gender identities & sexual orientations – at every level in our denomination.”
“Robin was never afraid to speak up around issues of trans inclusion and the importance that the T had in our name, in the identity of the Alliance, and the identity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).”
“Robin and I have shared so much in the last three years. We have rejoiced and laughed together,we have been angry and frustrated together and have been genuinely upset with each other only once or twice. I especially appreciate her analytical mind among folk who have different ways of making decisions and relating to our world. At other times she seems to be more of a believing Christian than the clergy in the room and she actually calls us to be our best. Her presentation and workshop leadership at GA was fantastic. As an open and frank ‘woman of trans experience’ (new language for me) she has expanded and deepened my vision in an area where I thought I was pretty well informed. We seem to agree about 90% of the time. It is a true blessing in my mind that we can be genuinely honest with each other. I say we have developed a friendship which does not require us to pretend to agree with each other when we do not. In this day and time few are privileged to share such a bond. Thanks my friend!”
“During my time as Executive Director of AllianceQ’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, it was a joy and an honor to work with Robin. Robin brought to the council and to me a depth of feeling, a commitment to the work, a deep commitment to the marginalized, and a life experience that enriched my understanding of the need and the work of the Alliance. I know that Robin’s justice work won’t end with her membership on AllianceQ’s council and I look forward to seeing her future contributions. I am proud to call Robin a colleague in ministry, and humbled to call her friend.” -Rev. Dr. Mark Johnston
“Robin’s life experiences, professional training, ministry calling and personality are such that she embodies welcome and hospitality. With sincerity and humor she provided training for churches and individuals. With zeal she facilitated General Assembly gatherings. Also bringing professionalism and administrative skill to the projects of AllianceQ, Robin will be missed. She poured her heart and soul into the ministry and I anticipate that she will continue to do so in different capacities with the organization and Church. Navigating challenges, Robin persisted because this messy work is holy work. In a supervisory role, Robin equipped me to step into my call and provided genuine support. She cares about me, about individuals and about the DOC. I am honored to be serving AllianceQ and my grounding comes from the wisdom and loving-kindness of Robin. Robin, enjoy every popsicle and keep your phone nearby.” -Rev. Melissa Guthrie Loy
Concluding her service as a Council Member, we invite you to give to the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance – AllianceQ in honor of Robin.
For his faithful commitment to setting a place at the table for all, we celebrate the service and leadership of Tyler Heston.
Give to the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance – AllianceQ in honor of Tyler Heston.
“Tyler is probably one of the most kindhearted people on the planet. His ingenuity and pastoral presence have been invaluable to the Council. In particular, Tyler’s leadership with the recent RIOT worship service and subsequent discussion series demonstrates the indispensability of his expertise. While I look forward to him supporting the Alliance in other capacities, his presence on the council will be sorely missed.”
“Tyler’s dedication to the council throughout many changes during his term, and his commitment to his role as secretary, have modeled for all of us the faithfulness that we are called to as people of God. Tyler has embodied graceful engagement, pushed us all towards deeper work in anti-racism, and spoken wisdom at times it has been needed most.”
“As our youngest council member, Tyler brought a different eye to many of our discussions, especially around tougher issues, and helped us see things in a different light when we needed to the most. He was never afraid to ask “why”, which helped move the Alliance in different directions.”
“I love and appreciate Tyler in so many respects that it takes some serious editing to express my thoughts properly. His creative and artistic skills blew me away when I watched the worship service he organized. He is extremely caring and sensitive about other people, especially those with less privilege. I am always appreciative of how well organized he is. He seems almost obsessive in his work habits, especially when doing things for us. Nothing is ever going to be neglected or put on hold when he’s taking care of it. One more thing: Tyler may be the most genuinely nice person I know. He is certainly in the top five!”
“During my time as Executive Director of AllianceQ’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, it was a joy and an honor to work with Tyler. Tyler’s deep commitment to justice and his understanding of the complexity of the needs around us, combined with his youthful energy, ability to organize, and ability to keep track of more tasks than I can try to imagine, assures me that not only the present but the future of our work is in the right hands. I very much look forward to seeing what Tyler brings to this work in the future. I am proud to call Tyler a colleague in ministry, and humbled to call him friend.” -Rev. Dr. Mark Johnston
“Tyler is genuine. He is thoughtful and articulate. Tyler is reliable. Tyler is organized. His dedication to justice and acting upon professed commitments is admirable and challenging–challenging in the holiest of ways because he offered accountability and brought to the work of AllianceQ difficult but meaningful questions for self and organizational reflection. Tyler’s heart and passion sustained me in my transition into leadership; Tyler propelled me and others to be better and do better and follow the Spirit. Truly turning tables of injustice, Tyler welcomed me to the table, welcomes all, and will continue to shape welcome because he lets love lead. With so much love for our professional relationship and friendship, Tyler, rest and return to the work to which you are called. The Church and world are more beautiful because of you.” -Rev. Melissa Guthrie Loy
Concluding his service as a Council Member, we invite you to give to the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance – AllianceQ in honor of Tyler.
Thank you for joining us in the call to set a place at the table for persons of all gender expressions and sexual identities.