Name: Tabatha Holley

Location: New York, NY

Affiliated Seminary: Union Theological Seminary

I am entering my 3rd year at Union Theological Seminary pursuing a Masters of Divinity . I am currently doing field education with the United Methodist Women Seminar Program at the Church Center for the United Nations. While my concentration is in Preaching and Worship with the hope of becoming a womanist homiletician and liturgist, I believe that Christian education with a lens on anti-oppression has the potential to build a faith based (radical) movement for peace and justice across this country. The church and faith based nonprofits have the resources to make it happen!

It is important and meaningful to gather with queer people of faith so that our joys, sorrows, stories, and memories become public witness for the eradication of LGBTQIA+ oppression both within and outside of the church. It is important and meaningful for my development as a preacher, teacher, and advocate to leave knowledgeable about the ways I can be a participant in a movement for justice. I hope to grow as I pour out and receive wisdom from an intergenerational, multi-racial group of individuals. I also hope to build life long networks that will sustain myself, my community, and my ministry.

I hope to get more guidance on being a queer person of faith, especially as I am lacking a church home and denomination. While I feel deeply called to this work, I hope to bond with other participants and facilitators who have/are facing a similar experience. I also hope to enjoy the vacinity as I am a rural Southerner and deeply miss retreats in the south!