Facilitated by:
Rev. Dr. Deb Berman, DMin, LCSW
Meeting every 2nd Tuesday of the month,
7:00 pm - 8:10 pm EST, Online
This group is for current One Spirit students, graduates of One Spirit programs, and OSLA staff and faculty who are exploring their Altness.
Incoming or prospective One Spirit students who identify as Alt or are Alt Questioning may participate in this group when they begin their first year of seminary, ISCC, or Emergence Leadership Academy.
RSVP IS REQUIRED: Email revdeb@1spirit.org.
Committed Allies or people who want to become Allies are warmly encouraged to reach out to Rev. Deb for resources, information, and a comprehensive reading list.
The widespread loss of vital Alternative Relationship and Alternative Identity social, spiritual, and community forums during the pandemic inspired the creation of the OSLA Alt Faith Collective.
Alternative
(or "Alt") is a purposefully broad term
encompassing people who are oriented to diverse non-mainstream relationships or family/kinship constellations, or whose sex, sexuality, sexual practices, and/or gender expressions are non-stereotypical or non-conforming. Alt Relationship and Alt Identity populations include, but are not limited to, Polyamory, Ethical Non-Monogamy, Kink, BDSM, Leather, Consensual Power Exchange, Chosen Families, LGBT, Queer, Genderqueer, Fluid or Fluctuating, and beyond, as well as those who are in discernment as to where they might land in this beautiful firmament of Altness.
This private monthly online forum provides a warm and affirming spiritual safe haven for OSLA's Altfolk to be together, engage in sacred connection, and receive support in nourishing our unique and divinely created Alt souls.
Program Content Includes:
A theological exploration of Altness and holiness
inspirational and Affirming readings
discussion, participant sharing, and mutual support
and other content aimed at buttressing OSLA's Altfolk as we walk our sacred paths as ministers, counselors, leaders, scholars, healers, educators, students, and seekers.
2024 Meeting Dates
Meeting every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm EST.
April 9
May 14
June 11
Testimonial
"Alt Faith Collective feels like home. It’s easily my favorite meeting every month. Whether I speak or not, I always feel loved and seen for the fullest version of myself in this community. The love and support I’ve both given and received have made this group family to me."
— Group Member
Facilitator:
Rev. Dr. Deb Berman, DMin, LCSW
Rev. Deb (pronouns she/her/hers) is a Holistic and Integrative psychotherapist in private practice serving diverse populations including LGB, Transgender, Genderqueer, Questioning, Kink, Poly, BDSM, Ethical Non Monogamy, Sex Workers, Alternative Relationships, Chosen Families, and Straight Allies. Rev. Deb served as Director of Behavioral Health at Interfaith Hospital and was the Director of Social Work and Clinical Services at Orthodox Union’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities. She has a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Social Work and holds a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion through which she conducted a research study on the spiritual and faith community needs of people in Alternative Relationships. Rev. Deb is an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister through the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. She is the founder of PrideMinistry: An Affirming Spiritual Community for Alternative Souls that meets the lifecycle and spiritual needs of Alt Relationship individuals, families, and communities. She mentors masters and PhD students and clinically supervises psychotherapists, mental health counselors, and sex educators. She has spoken at more than 200 professional conferences and workshops around the world.
Testimonial
“Bless the bodies through which we experience ourselves, our relationships with others, and this awesome Creation. Living and envisioning new ways of loving is divine work that makes all of us freer and more honest. ALTFAITH is an intimate community of seekers who bless each other with compassion, humor, and respect as we navigate our changing spiritual love lives. Every meeting has been like sharing communion and feeling the Creator’s hand on my shoulder.”
— Group Member
Join our next Meeting
RSVP IS REQUIRED AS THIS IS A CLOSED EVENT: Email revdeb@1spirit.org.