Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Every month, our Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion meetings take place virtually. Facilitated by Board Members Darren Calhoun and Carrie N., this is an opportunity to be in a learning, discussion, and community space.
Upcoming Gathering
Open Discussion about Learning, Openness and Curiosity | Sunday, May 5 | 7:00PM-8:30PM EST
Join us on Sunday, May 5 for our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Learning group. This month Board members Darren Calhoun and Carrie N. will be facilitating an open discussion about learning, openness and curiosity. We will be learning together from the wisdom of all participants and invite everyone who comes to join in open discussion, breakout rooms, reflection, and sharing time.
The EDI Learning Group is a QCF ongoing Community Group that is open to anyone interested and happens monthly on the first Sunday of each month. Participants are welcome to join whenever they are available and interested. The content and format of sessions varies each month. Sometimes we have guests presenting on their lived-experiences and areas of expertise, other times we have community-relational time where participants engage in discussions and break-out rooms, and sometimes we have facilitated Zoom social events.
We hope you will join a supportive group of people who are passionate about learning the nuances of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Whether you're new or seasoned, we hope you'll find a home here with us. Sign up for this gathering today!
Past Gatherings
Stay tuned for more recordings to be made available!
November, 2023 | wing yun & Josie White
Gender Diversity Workshop
This workshop will cover basic terms and gender-expansive language for God and include opportunities for practice. Wherever you are in learning about gender diversity, there will be opportunities for you to learn and engage in conversation.
September, 2023 | Marissa Adams & Bria Brown-King
Intersex Perspectives: Cultivating Joy Beyond the Sex & Gender Binary
Join Marissa and Bria from interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth in a conversation about how they've learned to cultivate intersex joy in their lives as they navigate the unique experience of having bodies that exist beyond the sex and gender binary. Learn what it means to be intersex, how intersex overlaps with the broader LGBTQ+ movement, and how we can all work to be more supportive of the intersex community in our everyday lives.
August, 2023 | D. Eng, Allyn, & Van
An Open Conversation About Asexual and Aromantic Experiences and Perspectives
In this fishbowl conversation, our special guests take a deep look at what each of these identities are, how folks with these identities are present in our communities, and how they are (in)visible within the LGBTQ+ and Christian communities.
May, 2023 | AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez & Darren Calhoun
An Open Conversation About EDI & Justice Work
This EDI Gathering was an open conversation with special guest, AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez (she/her/hers) and QCF Board Member, Darren Calhoun (he/him). In this hour long conversation they talk about the challenges, opportunities, and successes we've experienced around EDI learning and justice work.
April, 2023 | Tasha Mitchell
The Role of Mental Health in Cultivating Balanced Relationships
This EDI Gathering explores various nuances and considerations when addressing mental health in the context of our relationships. The ultimate goal for this workshop is for every participant to feel more empowered in their ability to navigate the complexity of relationships in their lives that are impacted by mental health concerns.
November, 2022 | Darren Calhoun
Racial & LGBTQ+ Identities
Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identity combine to create unique modes of oppression, privilege, and discrimination. Here we take a look at the intersection between racial and LGBTQ+ identities.
September, 2022 | Myles Markham
Gender
This interactive EDI Learning Session, facilitated by Myles Markham (he/they), aims to build on previous learnings from Trans/Gender 101-type presentations and to highlight some of the important nuances that shape what it means to experience and express gender diversity within different communities.
July, 2022 | Zoie Sheets
Disability & Christianity
Disability is an often-forgotten topic in equity, diversity, and inclusion conversations, even though over 25% of the American population are disabled. This gathering led by Zoie Sheets, will set a foundation of disability 101 topics, explore disability identity, and consider how Christian spaces have harmed, and can support, the disability community.
The Facilitators
Darren Calhoun
Darren Calhoun (he/him) is a justice advocate, worship leader, and photographer based out of Chicago. He works to bridge connections between people of differing perspectives through story and relationship.
Currently, Darren leads worship at Urban Village Church and serves in multiple capacities with organizations like Evangelicals for Social Action, The Center for Inclusivity, and The Reformation Project. He also sings with a progressive Christian band called The Many. He’s facilitated workshops and led worship for many Annual Conferences.
Darren brings with him an intentional focus on the church being inclusive of a diversity of people and expressions as an authentic reflection of the Kingdom of God. Lastly, Darren is an extrovert who loves hugs. Follow him on social media at @heyDarren or through his blog, DarrenCalhoun.com.
Carrie N.
Carrie N. (they/she) is an educator, administrator and artist who has spent the last 23 years working in, and consulting with, education institutions, small companies, government and NGOs. Carrie has a BFA in Sculpture, an MA in Teaching and an MA in Media Studies. They are also completing a MA in Consciousness Studies and Transpersonal Psychology with a research focus on intersubjectivity in groups, and is currently enrolled in a MS in Organizational Change Management with a focus on authenticity in leadership.
Over the years Carrie has been involved in campus ministry, local church leadership and regional gatherings. They are a coach and a consultant with spiritual leaders and workers, artists, educators and business executives. Inquiry and curiosity are at the center of the work they do.
Carrie was introduced to Q Christian in 2018 and is pleased to be a new member of the board as of December 2019. They are passionate about creating equitable and inclusive spaces and is stoked to be working with Q as their values align.