25-26 WLI Course: Queer Womanist Preaching
March 18, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
An event every week that begins at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, happening 6 times
Course Description:
This course will expose students to the queering of religious concepts such as redemption and salvation that create a decolonized preaching experience that centers the lived experiences of Black, queer women. Bishop Yvette Flunder’s preaching method, the Apocalyptic Method will be taught as an example of a sermonic method of a queer, womanist preacher. Students will learn the fundamental tenets of queer womanist preaching while critically reflecting on their own beliefs, especially their espoused sexual ethics. The course considers theological frameworks that inform queer womanist preaching, such as womanist theology and queer theology while keeping an eye towards Black, queer, women’s lived experiences.
Meet the instructor
The Reverend Dr. Nicole McDonald is a recent graduate of the Ph.D. program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary. She is an adjunct professor who teaches Queer Womanist Preaching at Chicago Theological Seminary and Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege at Ball State University’s Department of Social Work. Currently, Dr. McDonald serves as the Interim Senior Pastor of Central Christian Church in Indianapolis. Prior to entering the pastorate, she served over 14 years as a healthcare chaplain in hospice and level-one trauma centers. Pastor Nicole has a heart for God’s people. As a queer, womanist practitioner-scholar, she strives to build justice-oriented communities of radical inclusivity where all feel welcomed.
Dates: Wednesdays, 7-9pm EST, February 18 – March 25
Offered by the Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary
Registration closes on February 16, 2 business days before the first class meeting.
UPSem faculty, staff, and students can register for this class for free. If you are a UPSem faculty, staff, or student, you can register here using your UPSem email address. If you are in financial need of a discounted registration fee, please contact Deborah Keyes, subject line “WLIQWP: Financial Aid.
