INTERWOVEN:
Uniting Kids, Parents, and Community
Virtual Summit | April 14th, 21st, 28th, and May 5th
8 pm EST / 5 pm PST
As a Christian parent or family member, when your loved one comes out as LGBTQ, you face unique questions: Where do you find support if your church won’t talk about it, your faith community rejects your family member, and your own beliefs are now in question? No matter what questions you have or where you are on this journey, you will be welcome here!
Join us virtually April 14th, 21st, 28th, and May 5th for life-changing gatherings of parents, guardians, and caretakers of LGBTQ+ people. Register today at the form below! For questions, click here to reach out to our team.
Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee | he/him | Ethicist, Pastor, Author, Advocate
Rev. Prof. Dr. David P. Gushee is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, Chair of Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit (Free University) Amsterdam, and Senior Research Fellow, International Baptist Theological Study Centre. He is the elected past-president of both the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Christian Ethics. Dr. Gushee is the author, co-author, or editor of 28 books, including the bestsellers Kingdom Ethics and Changing Our Mind. His other most notable works are Still Christian, After Evangelicalism, Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust, and Defending Democracy from its Christian Enemies. With his works read around the world, and an active lecturing schedule on several continents, he has global impact in the field of Christian ethics. A leader in the growing post-evangelical movement, he has also put feet to his faith in several activist campaigns. Gushee and his wife, Jeanie, live in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more at https://davidpgushee.com/
Summit Schedule
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Rethinking LGBTQ inclusion as a youth health and family cohesion issue, especially for LGBTQ young people from religiously conservative families.
This session will be keynoted by Dr. David Gushee. -
A chance to listen in as LGBTQ+ people explore the emotions of coming out to their parents and families.
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Learning to see what God sees when God looks at us and our children.
The speaker for this session is Rev. Danny Cortez. -
This is a space to discuss and share what we’ve learned with each other. Where do we go from here and how do we love better?
This session is led by Linda Robertson and Kelli Mechelke.
All sessions will happen at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and will last approx. 2 hours long.
Additional Perks
Q Christian Fellowship Parent Facebook Group
All participants will get access to the private Q Christian Fellowship Parent Facebook group. This is a space where you will get to ask questions, find resources, and join in community with other parents who are on this journey as well. Access to the group does not expire when the Summit is over.
Join with other parents and family members who love God and love God's Word who are discovering the transformative power of loving their LGBTQ children the way that God loves all of us. Learn from their successes. Learn even more from their failures. You will laugh, cry, and grow as the stories of other families just like yours are shared in a safe, compassionate space. You will leave with tools for healthy communication, a support system of friends who “get you” and a renewed sense of God’s relentless love for you and your child or family member. Your family, LGBTQ+ or not, will love you for it. See you at the Summit!
“QCF’s Parent Summit made such a difference for our family. The topics exposed blindspots in my own thinking and processing that helped me move beyond existing to thriving. I learned new techniques from the speakers to connect with my child so that we can deepen our relationship. I understand better that facing my own fears and hangups has freed me to love my child without any conditions. The conference allowed for instant connection with other participants who are walking a similar path, many who have navigated this before me. Hearing others’ stories and experiences allows me to connect with their experiences and has made me feel seen and validated on my journey. The personal friendships I made there will last a lifetime. I’m so grateful this conference has allowed a space just for me and my husband to process this unique and challenging journey together.”
Register
Tickets range from $20-65. Register today!
Need Financial Assistance?
Fill out our Parent & Family Summit Scholarship Application!
Unable to Attend?
If you can’t make it, sign up to receive updates on virtual Drop-in Groups, community opportunities, upcoming parent and family events, and more!
“I didn’t know what to expect when I went to the QCF Parent Summit, but I knew I wanted a better understanding of being a parent of LGBTQ+ children. I approached it with an open mind, simply being willing to learn. It made all the difference for me. What blew me away was the support, love, and immediate acceptance I felt upon arriving. My wife and I held some deep, meaningful conversations after the presentations and my perspective changed on how I approached not only my children, but the LGBTQ+ community in general. I learned to accept in love, and I practice it every day. The result is that it has improved my relationships with my kids. For that, I am forever grateful.”
Wherever you are in your family member’s coming out process.
Are you devastated by your child or family member’s coming out and fearful for their future? Join us. Have you fully embraced their sexual orientation or gender identity and come to a place of reconciliation and peace with it? Somewhere in between?
Join us.
Wherever you are on your journey with your family.
Do you see eye to eye with your spouse walking hand in hand in the parenting of your LGBTQ+ child or family member? Join us. Are you experiencing stress and grief because you, your spouse, or any other family members are not at all on the same page? Somewhere in between?
Join us.
Wherever you are in your expression of faith and belief.
Does your child or family member’s LGBTQ+ sexuality or gender identity challenge everything you thought you knew about God, the Bible, and the Church? Join us. Has accepting your their sexual orientation or gender identity helped you live life more fully as a Christian? Somewhere in between?
Join us.
2021 Webinars
Webinars from the 2021 Parent Summit are available on-demand! Visit the link below to purchase them—only $35 for all 3 sessions!
Meet the Parent Team
Linda Robertson
Mom of Four+, Passionate Leader & Speaker from Washington, Parent Team Lead & QCF Board Member
Pastor Reggie Avant
Minister currently serving in Seattle, WA.
Danny Cortez
Dad of Four. Pastor from Southern California.
Kelli Mechelke
Parent, Writer & Ally.
Thomas Mechelke
Parent of two & Systems Designer.
Grace Thomas
Parent of Three kids & Retired Minister from South Carolina
Fanesta Williams
Mom of Five Kids and Two Pit Bulls. Social Worker & Trainer from Indiana.
