In this powerful episode Will Small welcomes Chalise van Wyngaardt (they/them), also known as Boy Renaissance, for a deeply moving conversation about faith, queerness, and finding belonging in spirituality and expression through poetry.
Episode Highlights:
- Chalise's Journey: From growing up in Baptist and Pentecostal churches to discovering their queer identity at 16, Chalise shares their experience of being confronted by church leadership and choosing to walk away rather than deny their authentic self.
- Faith Fluidity: Chalise describes their "non-binary faith" - embracing days when they feel more atheist than Christian and vice versa, finding beauty in the mystery rather than rigid definitions.
- Spiritual Transformation: After exploring various spiritual traditions, Chalise found healing when they discovered West End Uniting Church with its pride flag and inclusive communion, allowing them to reconnect with Christianity on their own terms.
- Poetry Performance: Chalise shares two powerful poems - "God is Non-Binary" and "Shooting Stars Fall into My Mouth" - exploring their spiritual journey, gender identity, and relationship with God.
- Future Church Vision: The conversation concludes with reflections on creating more inclusive spiritual spaces where diversity is celebrated and no one feels like an outsider.
Connect with Chalise:
Want to reach out and let us know your thoughts or suggestions for the show? Send us a message here; we’d love to hear from you.
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