Three new leaders appointed as Council Members
Welcome, Laura Jean Allen, Alysha Laperche and Luther Young!
Confident that each brings perspective, passion and purposeful gifts, we are delighted to introduce LJ, Alysha and Luther, appointed to the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance Council beginning August 2020. In addition to highlights of their leadership, you’ll learn why they feel called to this ministry. Favorite colors and favorite summertime treats are shared, too. It’s a treat to share the news of their calls to leadership with AllianceQ.
Rev. Laura Jean Allen (LJ) (she/her/hers)
LJ is a 2020 graduate of Brite Divinity School and was recently ordained through the Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Having served as the Associate Minister at The Welcome Table Christian Church, an Open & Affirming congregation in Arlington, Texas, for two years, LJ accepted the call as Pastor of First Christian Church in Helena, Montana. LJ has lived in seven states and is making the move to her eighth state for this call. She writes, “I am very happily married to my husband, Kit.” Term ending September 2021.
Alysha Laperche (they, them, theirs)
Alysha is a student in the Master of Divinity program at Phillips Theological Seminary. They are in process for ordination with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Northern California-Nevada region, where their sponsoring congregation is Lafayette Christian Church. Alysha’s specific interest in Christian ministry and scholarship is equity, justice, inclusion, and pastoral care concerns for people of the LGBTQ+ community. Alysha holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and it was the introduction to progressive values through those studies that led them to an affirming seminary community. Alysha discerned a call to ministry at a young age and has spent the last few years navigating the move through evangelical and fundamentalist Christian spaces, as they embarked on their coming out process and began intentional theological evolution. Alysha is excited to continue following their call to embody the inclusive love of God revealed in Jesus, particularly through working to actualize the vision of setting a place at the table for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Alysha was born and raised in Tampa, FL, but currently lives in Fort Worth, TX, with their partner. Term ending September 2022.
Luther Young (he/him/his)
Luther 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. Luther currently serves as Minister of Music and a pastoral leader at Woodland Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Term ending September 2022.
Why are you interested in or how do you feel called to serve with AllianceQ in this season?
LJ: As a lifelong Disciple and a member of the LGBTQ community, I have always felt called to the work of LGBTQ inclusion in the Church. I have attended congregations in which I did not feel comfortable being open about my sexuality. I understand just how much harm this type of environment can cause, both spiritually and emotionally. During my time at The Welcome Table, I have experienced how incredibly beautiful it is to be accepted for exactly who I am. My hope is that throughout my ministry, I will be able to create welcoming spaces where this same experience of community and acceptance is accessible for all. Through my work with AllianceQ, I hope to be able to help support churches and individuals who are discerning what true inclusion can look like in their specific context.
Alysha: I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to serve as a ministry intern with the Disciples AllianceQ in the Spring 2020 semester. That experience has greatly informed my interest in serving with AllianceQ in this capacity as a council member. After engaging with LGBTQ+ clergy folks in our denomination, connecting with Disciples across the US who are on their open and affirming journey, and working alongside the AllianceQ council I continue to feel called to this ministry of our denomination. I believe so deeply in what Table has to teach us all about the radical inclusion, expansiveness, and abundance which are pieces of the Kin-dom of God and are available to us when we gather, work, pray, and worship together. When I think about the current context of our lives in North America, I feel particularly passionate about being an out, queer, gender non-conforming person in ministry. In part, because there are energies of hate and fear all around us which attempt to erase me and others from existence – within society and within God’s love – and by showing up in this way, I contribute to creating more visibility. I am also passionate about this work because it is at the center of how I understand my ministerial calling. This work of inclusion, welcome, and affirmation is beyond exciting, and it is far from simple. I know that the work ahead of us is the work of relationship; and this work is saving lives. I know that I am called to be one of many prophets speaking out this truth: God’s love is for all, and there is space for all at Christ’s table.
Luther: Midway through seminary, my view of ministry changed drastically. I realized that the Church needs now more than ever education and empowerment to combat systems of racism and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people–and God has called me to do this work. For me, this means that ministry extends beyond my local congregation and requires that I foster relationships, provide pastoral care, and use my prophetic voice on a broader scale. I believe I am called to help AllianceQ mobilize its human, social, and material resources in order to make our congregations more inclusive and offer spaces of safety for our LGBTQ+ siblings.
How do you see this ministry and work transforming the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)?
LJ: For the most part, I have found the Disciples of Christ to be a very accepting and open denomination. However, I do believe that we still have work to do in order to understand what justice work really looks like from an intersectional approach. AllianceQ is an essential resource for both individuals and congregations who are seeking to find ways to extend God’s gracious and expansive welcome to all, without exception. I believe that ambiguity is harmful and that churches have a responsibility to provide clarity for parishioners regarding their congregation’s stance on LGBTQ issues. One of my hopes for the denomination is that through the various learning and dialogue opportunities provided by AllianceQ, the denomination’s churches will come to better understand the need for inclusion and at the very least, more transparency surrounding their policies and beliefs concerning LGBTQ individuals.
Alysha: As a denomination which practices congregational polity, this ministry and the community of AllianceQ is a vital lifeline to folks – Disciples as well as friends – who are LGBTQ+, allies, on an open and affirming journey, or just beginning to explore what a wider welcome might look like in their context. AllianceQ, being a denominational ministry that focuses on and operates its work through the transformative power of relationship, has the unique opportunity to provide support and connection within all “levels” of the Disciples – individuals, congregations, regions, and the general church. In our work, we experience and regenerate transformation when we acknowledge the ever-present energy of God with and within each of us. We draw on the wisdom and courage of our ancestors in the LGBTQIA+ and Black communities when we come together, and when we work within our contexts. Our ministry, in this way, transcends and yet does not disregard the paths and lines between each of us – race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, location. I see the ministry and work of AllianceQ transforming the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) because its very presence is a reminder of who Christ is to us – that is, an embodied rejection of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, white supremacy, and heteronormativity.
Luther: As our GMP stated, if AllianceQ cannot be a place of radical welcome, then where can one expect to find this kind of hospitality? As beautiful queer people who know firsthand what it is like to be excluded, our testimonies of restoration and resilience make us uniquely qualified for this work. AllianceQ has the potential to (and we should) become the leading voice for equity, diversity, and inclusion in our denomination. Of course, that means we have some work to do internally–but as we learn and grow from our own introspection, we become even more prepared to help others on the journey.
What is your favorite color and why?
LJ: Since childhood, my favorite color has always been purple. I am not sure why. Maybe I watched too much Barney?
Alysha: My favorite color is gold! I find it to be really aesthetically pleasing and appreciate its resilient, reflective, and diverse qualities.
Luther: My favorite color is purple, not simply because it is the best color in the world, but also because it is versatile. Purple can be seen as both a warm and cool color. Purple can soothe and excite. It is appropriate for dignified, stoic settings as well as for rambunctious and rowdy parties. In other words, purple is just like me!
What’s your favorite summertime treat or activity?
LJ: My favorite summertime treat is corn on the cob, especially when prepared as Eloté (Mexican street corn).
Alysha: My favorite summertime treat is any Blizzard from Dairy Queen that has chocolate in it.
Luther: Typically my husband and I take a summer vacation somewhere with water, like a trip to the beach or a relaxing cruise.
LJ, Alysha and Luther are appointed to fill vacancies on the Council. They will be eligible for election to a subsequent term if such is determined by the individuals and organization at the conclusion of their appointed terms. A Nominations Team is preparing a slate of nominees from which you, the membership of AllianceQ, will elect Council Members to begin this fall.
For more about leadership and the organization’s commitments to examine its identity and practices, its strengths and needs, read July’s “Reflections from the EDM: Changing who is at the table.”
Join us in affirming the gifts and calls of Laura Jean Allen, Alysha Laperche and Luther Young.