A Long Time Since I Have Rambled...

Written Friday, 12 June 2026 | Pendle Hill Quaker Retreat Center, Wallingford, PA

It has been a while since I have tumbled out thoughts in this space as I intended when I started Queer Christian Ramblings. I am gratified to know that so many of you open—and, I presume, at least skim—the monthly Queer Christian Events & Celebrations. Thanks to those of you who have commented favorably on this offering which I intend to continue.

Ramblings have been harder to produce.

Over the past few years, I have not given myself enough space to sit and breathe and write down my reflections—although sitting and breathing long enough to reflect would have helped. I am coming up on the first anniversary of the death of my mother on 18 June 2025, I ended my leave of absence from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, I switched into the Master of Divinity program, and have been presented with several promising opportunities for ministry after my expected graduation date on Wednesday, 12 May 2027.

I have been richly blessed over the past few years and yet the blessings and opportunities have accelerated over the past six months. I’d like to tell you about them sometime, but first I must announce that I am scheduled to facilitate two experiences (one talky, one touchy) at the Wild Goose Festival Labor Day weekend, September 2026. Here’s the talky one:

Men, Christ, and Eros

Jon Carl Lewis helps followers of Jesus explore healthy, justice-oriented, Jesus-centered and joyful attitudes and practices around sexuality, relating, and the body. This Experience explores how men who cultivate their creative yearnings before God find the freedom to serve, live, work and play alongside other bodies as we co-create the beloved Shalom envisioned for us from the beginning of time.

This isn’t passive learning.
It’s holy mischief. It’s sacred play. It’s embodied revolution.

I will also lead a touchy experience just for men—in a safe, healing container!

If this is your first time at “the Goose” my ambassador code (A-JCL) can get you a discount when you buy your ticket here: wildgoosefestival.org/tickets. If you would like to hear my thoughts on the experience, send me your questions, and I will address them as best I can. (Hint: glamping is wicked cheap!)

Not only is the Wild Goose Festival a place to spend quality time interacting with kindred spirits and amazing spiritual leaders, it’s also as laid-back as you need it to be and can be a whole lot of fun.

I want to be more faithful about letting you know what’s on my mind. So many inspirations—and frustrations—come to me each day, I set them aside until I can make them pretty or do enough research to submit my thoughts to an academic journal. Neither is truly necessary.1

I want in this space to foster an exchange of ideas so we may learn together, so I will try to focus on conversation starters rather than systematic teachings.

You might like that better, too.

Thanks to all of you who have stuck around. Welcome to all of you who are new. I don’t intend to charge for this Substack yet I am a graduate student, I pay tuition, and I seem to not fail classes if I also don’t work a full time job. Donations are gratefully accepted.

I hope you will encourage me to write off the cuff by commenting and giving shape to this conversation which I could not on my own. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Be well!