About Me.
L. Thomas self-identifies as a Leather Monk located in northern Vermont on the unceded land of the Wabanaki (Danwland Confederacy). L. Thomas's ministry journey has never been "simple." Their insights from their discernment and relationship with God have given Lou an intimate look at the intersectionality of religion and sexuality in a unique light.
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L. Thomas grew up in an Irish Catholic household and left the Catholic Church after their Confirmation at 16. L. Thomas has spent the past 20 years being a Catholic Church "Done" and exploring their religious and spiritual leanings. L. Thomas's journey has included being a member of the Unitarian Universalists, Humanism, and a Shambhala practitioner. Lou is now an active United Church of Christ (UCC) member.
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L. Thomas's educational background is considered "non-traditional." L. Thomas graduated from Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS) Center for Ministry and Lay Training graduate. Lou received a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry after studying at the New York School of Ministry (UCC) and completing their academic work at PTS.
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L. Thomas provides pastoral care and counseling, education, and friendship to those seeking spiritual support. It focuses explicitly on Christianity and Christ-centric individuals identifying as Ethically Non-Monogamous and alternative sexual lifestyles.
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L.Thomas is not licensed/registered as a clinical mental health provider and is not an ordained minister.
L.Thomas, Who?
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L.Thomas pronouns are: They/Them/Theirs
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L.Thomas gender identity is: I am who you perceive I am, Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB)
Experience
United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries (UCCDM)
Secretary ( 2015 - 2017), Social Media Coordinator (2017 - 2019), Treasurer (2019 - 2021)
United Church of Christ
2014- 2021
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Board member and Officer of UCCDM.
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Led a visioning committee utilizing appreciative inquiry.
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Chaired Bylaw Review Committee.
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Delegate for General Synod 30 & 31.
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Proposed a Self-Care space to board and liaison. Sat on the planning committee. Volunteered at General Synod 32 with the Self-Care Suite.
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Led a review of financial procedures to ensure best practices
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Co-authored two annual quantitative and qualitative reports
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"Tech Support" for Google Drive & Mentored new board members.
Boi Chaplain
Affiliated with Pride Center Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
2019 - 2020
Weekly drop-in hour at the Pride Center as a chaplain providing interfaith support.
Gift of Voice
Finance Committee
Ecumenical Group Located in Illinois​
During its infancy co-created processes around accepting donations and handling petty cash.
Burlington Shambhala Center
Assistant Facilitator
Burlington, Vermont
2013 - 2014
Assistant facilitator for the One Year To Live program.
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Coordinated reception tasks to small groups
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Set up and break down on-site events
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Assisted speakers with their needs.
Leather and Grace (LG) Steering Committee
Officer
Unitarian Universalist
2012 - 2013
Attended an in-person meeting at the UUA Church House in Boston, MA, and advocated for fair treatment for UU Ministers and Staff identifying as kinky.
UVM Medical Center
Pastoral Care Volunteer
Burlington, Vermont
2011 - 2013
Served as a Pastoral Care Volunteer as an Interfaith Volunteer. Worked on various floors during my time as a Pastoral Care Volunteer including the Vermont Children's Hospital and a long-term patient's floor.
Pride Center Cal Poly Pomona
Volunteer
Pomona, California
2007 - 2008
Admin and Greeter during my National Student Exchange Year. Established a resource binder of information of BDSM / Kink for the center and presented a workshop on Kink 101.
New England Leather Alliance (NELA)
Ombudsperson
New England Region
2018 - 2020
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Led and served on Consent Violation case reviews
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Reviewed and investigated on-site incidents
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Provided risk-aversion recommendations
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On-call Emotional Care Support at annual Winter Con 2019 & 2020
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Mediated conversations between board, volunteers, and constituents
Presenting & Facilitating
Transcending Boundaries Conference (TBC)
Springfield, Massachusetts
2014 -
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So you want to be a sex blogger?
The ins and outs of being a sex-positive writer
2015 -
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Disabilities and Gender Panel
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Spirituality and Religion
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Disability Caucus for people with disabilities and their caregivers
Disabilities Network
Pride Center Vermont
2014 - 2015
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Presented on topics regarding Consent and Relationships
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Co-presenter for an LGBTQ+/Disabilities workshop as part of the "Voices and Choices" Self-Advocacy Conference in Burlington, VT
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Substitute Facilitator
Translating Identity Conference (TIC)
University of Vermont (UVM)
Presented at two annual conferences regarding disabilities & gender.
Widening the Welcome
United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries & United Church of Christ Mental Health Network
2015 -
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Co-presenter on Autism Awareness Workshop
Certificates / Continuing Education
University of Vermont - Continuing Education
Death Doula for Companion Animals
2022
Our Whole Lives (United Church of Christ & Unitarian Universalist)
Certified Sexuality Educator
All Adult Levels
2022
Glean Network
SHIFT Alumni
Interfaith Leadership Cohort Intensive
2021
Steps to End Domestic Violence
Community Advocate Training
Burlington, Vermont
2019
Holds Vermont Victim Crisis Worker Privilege
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Mental Health First Aid Training
From National Council for Mental Wellbeing
2018
UVM Medical Center
Clinical Pastoral Education (1 Unit)
Burlington, Vermont
2013 - 2014
ACPE-certified program - Extended CPE
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Participated in On-Call rotations on weeknights and weekends.
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Served as a chaplain primarily on the Ears, Nose, and Throat ward and Traumatic Brain Injuries.
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Presented didactic on ASD
Education
2018 - 2022
Certificate in Pastoral Ministry
Phillips Theological Seminary
Classes included practical applications in a congregational setting, including communications, stewardship, and conflict resolution. Graduated with an accumulative class hours similar to a Master's Degree.
2015 - 2021
Studied in Christian Leadership Program
New York School of Ministry (UCC), New York
Completed class work regarding the "theoretical" side of Pastoral Ministry. Classwork regarding pastoral care included:
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Foundations and Practice of Pastoral Counseling
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Advanced Topics in Pastoral Care and Counseling
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Family Systems and Pastoral Leadership
2007 - 2008
National Student Exchange
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), for 3 Quarters as part of the National Student Exchange. Concentration in Human Resources:
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Men, Women, and Management
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Training and Development
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Human Resources, Staffing, and Planning
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Employee Benefits
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Creativity and Entrepreneurship
2005 - 2009
B.A. Business Administration,
Concentration in Management
Johnson State College, Johnson, Vermont
Major in Business Administration and took classes in both writing (fiction/non-fiction), website design, and java programming.
Publications
Huffington Post - Contributor (nom de plume: Amy Shiner)
Reflections On GLBT History Month (10/04/11)
Are There Benefits to Being Poly? (11/09/11)
'Holiday Gifts for Your Sex-Positive Friends (12/07/11)
'Spirituality Meet Leather (01/24/12)
'Enlightening Polyamory (02/09/12)
A Kinky Family Reunion (02/22/12)
Sexual Preference Is Like Ice Cream (04/04/12)
'Am I Holding Back The Women's Movement? (04/16/12)
'Is One Label Better Than Another? (05/07/12)
Submission: My Health Choice (05/18/12)
Not Getting Lost in the Poly Shuffle (05/30/12)
Kink in Vermont? (06/20/12)
Taking 'Fair Breaks' from Non-Monogamy (07/11/12)
A 'Deli' Approach to Polyamory (09/01/12)
The Fearless Press - Columnist: The Naked Lotus (nom de plume: Amy Shiner)
Can Buddhism Be A Style of Love and D/s? (09/17/12)
Meditative Fear Play (10/18/12)
Finding “The Guard” in Discipline (11/05/12)
Clear Dharma, Queer Dharma, Kink Dharma? (01/01/13)
Selfless Art (01/12/13)
What Is Stronger: Meditation or Prayer? (02/20/13)
Gas Station Buddha (04/17/13)
Mindfully Out (05/25/13)
Clothing, Nudity & Sexuality (07/17/13)
Of Kink and Discernment (01/17/14)
Kink Academy - Guest Writer (nom de plume: Amy Shiner)
Kink and Autism (2015)