Without Exception Newsletter
January 2025
- Just Like Us is a UK-based organization that works with schools to support LGBT+ young people. They have developed a free, short e-learning course for teachers on "Preventing Anti-LGBT+ Bullying in Secondary Schools." The aims for this course are to explore the experiences of LGBT+ young people, particularly their experiences growing up; to discuss approaches for tackling and preventing anti-LGBT+ bullying in schools; and to start creating a plan to apply available tools to your own setting. More information is available here.
- Divine is an LGBTQIA+ youth program sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. Led by Rev. Olivia Hamilton and Mike Johnson, the Divine team also consists of a handful of LGBTQIA+ adult mentors who accompany youth and their parents through the Divine program. In the five-week program, Divine participants gather for dinner, conversation, and support. Youth are paired with LGBTQIA+ adult mentors, and parents/caregivers also have an opportunity to connect with and support one another through guided group conversation. Divine seeks to create a space for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families to explore faith, spirituality, and belief in a brave way, knowing that the whole of who they are is valued and affirmed, including their questions and doubts. Divine is a respectful, inclusive, and empowering space where LGBTQIA+ youth and their families can come together and find support, resources, and spiritual nourishment as they navigate their unique journeys of self-discovery and identity expression. More information about the program is available here on the Divine website.
- The World Community for Christian Meditation is hosting a special four-part series with James Alison from January 23 - April 24, 2025. Titled "No More Special Pleading," these sessions will include "Recovering Basic Christianity" (Thursday, January 23); "Christianity, Creation, and Approaching Reality" (Thursday, February 20); "How Did We Get Here on LGBT Matters" (Thursday, March 20); and "Detoxifying the Clobber Texts" (Thursday, April 24). These events will run from 7:30-9:30pm FRENCH time (1:30-3:30pm Eastern US time). The cost is £70 for all sessions (~$90 USD) or £20 for each single session (~$25 USD). More information is available here.
- Jory Mertens (ArtByJory) is a Carthage, Missouri-based artist. He works in digital fine art and illustration, often using cubist, geometric, and fauvist elements. Many of his works are based on his view of Jesus as being radically inclusive. He enjoys creating works based on his family, theology, nature, and portraits of heroes of humanity. As a special gift for our community Jory is offering a 30% discount on ALL his artwork with discount code WITHOUTEXCEPTION30. Please do not scan, copy, or otherwise reproduce Jory's artwork. He retains the copyright on all images even after purchase.
