Lenten Reflections Groups
These Lenten Reflections Group for LGBTQ Christians follows scripture readings for the 6-weeks of Lent. We will pray, study, and support each other on our journeys!
Lenten Reflections Groups
Groups will begin the week of March 9th.
Join us for a 6-week community group as we journey through the season of Lent, reflecting on the Vanderbilt liturgical readings for Year C. Together, we’ll explore themes of temptation, transformation, repentance, forgiveness, and extravagant love as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Each session will provide space for thoughtful discussion, spiritual growth, and shared reflection as we wrestle with what it means to live out our faith in today’s world. Whether you are new to Lent or have journeyed through it many times, all are welcome to join this safe and inclusive space.
This year we have three separate groups for you to choose from: Sundays at 7:00pm ET, Wednesdays at 10:00am ET, and Thursdays at 11:00am ET. You can find out more about the facilitators for each group below!
Cassandra Whisenant
Cassandra Whisenant (she/her) is a post-homeschool, exvangelical who still embraces Veggie Tales as high culture. A military brat by birth, she hails from Harpers Ferry, WV, has lived all over the world- from urban Houston, TX, to rural Alice Springs, Australia. She is currently pursuing a PhD in English at West Virginia University, focusing on the intersection of Latinx identity, gender, and adolescence. In her free time, she reads (a lot), volunteers at an elementary school library, drinks black coffee, and burns baked goods made from box mix.
Rev. Michael Vollbrecht
Rev. Michael Vollbrecht (he/him) is an ordained minister and spiritual director in the United Church of Christ. He serves on the denomination's national staff and is a local church pastor near Kansas City, Missouri. He lives with his husband, Matt, and their dog, a Siberian husky mix named Karma. He loves video games, tabletop roleplaying games like D&D, and fizzy waters.
Nancy Janisch
Nancy (she/her) is a recently retired campus minister for a multi campus, multi denominational, progressive, fully LGBTQIA welcoming campus ministry. She is interested in supporting and accompanying people as they explore the relationship between their lived experience, faith and the world. She hopes to be a strong and fierce ally for her LGBTQIA siblings.
Ashley Lynn Hengst
Ashley Lynn Hengst is a Cuban American lesbian passionate about helping ex-evangelicals unlearn the toxic aspects of the Christian faith. Ashley is the host of “The Unlearning Podcast” where she helps listeners unpack Scripture and the Christian life through the lens of liberation theologies. Ashley is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, the Academy of Art, and Claremont School of Theology. When she’s not working on her podcast, Ashley officiates funerals for Forest Lawn. Ashley lives with her wife, Jen, and their daughter, Ruth Ellen in Los Angeles, CA.
Brigette Piskura
Brigitte (she/they, her/them) has been active with QCF since 2021 as a participant and leader in community groups, prayer team volunteer, and panelist at conferences. She has a background in non-vocational ministry and is currently studying Spiritual Direction.
Brigitte is passionate about the intersection of faith and identity: She adamantly exists as openly queer in the side-b spaces they move in; believes in opening up Christian spaces for the spectrum of convictions within the LGBTQIA+ community; and leans into conversations with those in spiritual leadership positions about faith and sexuality.
Brigitte is in a mixed-orientation marriage. She and her blended family live in Southern California with their dog, Jack.
Jon Morgan
Jon Morgan (he/him) is the pastor of Hope Collective Church, a new and affirming congregation in Dayton, Ohio. He received a BA in Music Education from BGSU and a Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. As an ordained elder of United Methodist Church, he currently serves as a Cultural Coach for the denomination. With the life motto, “Seeing People as People”, Jon is passionate about helping people discover their sacred worth and calling. Jon’s hobbies include playing disc golf, listening to records, and watching sports. His favorite athletes are his three sons: Micky, JJ, and Eli. Jon and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for 19 years.