Are you looking to deepen your spiritual connection with the divine, yourself, and the people you love?
mushrooms on a mossy log
Reclaiming g*d
with Court VonLindern and JoJo Phoenix Frank
An offering for spiritual seekers, mystical dreamers, and existential wondering wanderers
As two queer and trans people, we know very well of the perpetual harm inflicted over thousands of years by Christian and other faith-based nationalists. Aside from the immense tangible loss of cultures, people, and community, “God” has been grabbed and positioned in our psyches as “a bearded man in the sky.”
No wonder the word “God” can feel so dissonant to those who don’t buy this image.
Yet, over thousands of years, mystics, meaning those with intimate relationships with g*d/the divine, have attested (even those of Christian faith) that g*d could not be further from this image.
In fact, mystics across all faiths and throughout time tend to describe their experience of g*d with uncanny similarities.
Not a white bearded man
They use words like ineffable, overwhelming, full of light, forgiving, grace, a lover, sensual,“in all things.”
Mystics that came before us have been taught just like us to dismiss the inner knowing we have about faith, spirituality and the nature of the divine.
And with Christian Nationalism rising in power in our country, reclaiming the divine wisdom and belonging within each of us is still a radical and subversive way to strengthen our faith in and love for ourselves, life, this planet, and one another.
Court facilitating at Queer Church Camp 2025 on Flathead Lake
We, Court and JoJo Phoenix, have learned to tend our spiritual faith through dedicated, intentional practice and study. We’ve both had many incredible, loving, tender teachers. Yet, our paths are also radically different.
Court grew up in the United Methodist Church, was active in youth and church camp ministries, attended and graduated from seminary, and briefly pursued ordination until they realized they felt more called to find and serve g*d outside of institutional church and religion.
JoJo grew up in an atheist household and has found unexpected playful and peaceful refuge in a prayerful, spiritual life after decades of struggling with a deep-seated fear of death and loneliness.
We are humbled and honored to be able to share with you some of what we’ve learned along our winding paths: in community.
Workshop flow:
Participants will be led through ritual, prayer, reflection, conversation, and somatic exercises in a mix of individual, partner, and group format.
Facilitators will give clear instructions for each of the practices, and will introduce them through a trauma-informed lens.
Participants can engage at their own comfort level, including choosing to opt out of an activity if desired.
As facilitators, we will do our best to foster a culture of non-judgement during the workshop.
Workshop Details:
Date and Time:
Black Friday, Nov 29, 2025| 2-5pm
Location
Aspen Grove Wellness Center| 2126 Dixon Ave, Missoula
Come prepared:
Dress in comfy layers
Bring a water bottle, journal, and a grounding item for the altar if you like
Cost:
Sliding Scale $30-$90
Meet your Facilitators:
Court VonLindern
Court (he/they) is a white, queer, and trans spiritual director and theologian living on the lands of the Salish & Kootenai people in Northwest Montana. As a theologian, they’re interested in engaging and reclaiming scripture as a tool for personal and collective liberation. As a spiritual director, they help others cultivate a relationship with the divine by accompanying them on their journey back to Spirit and back to themselves.
JoJo Phoenix (they/them) is prayerfully and playfully living a life on Salish Kootenai land centered around belonging. They are the founder and facilitator of Ground Swell dance, a trauma-informed trainer, and somatic guide for individuals and couples.
Their main spiritual/soulful teachers are tadpoles, petrified wood, Sophy Burnham, Vaz Sriharan, and KJ Song.