SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR/ VIRTUAL PASTOR

“I am a Wholy Grounder because I needed a faith experience that is fluid and radically inclusive…just as I was created to be.”
– Melissa

Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and a first-generation college graduate. She is a mother to a fun and creative child Camdyn McQueen-Simmons, and the spouse to the beautiful and graceful Vondalyn McQueen-Simmons.

She is a creative, an empath, an author, mystic, and Iraqi-Veteran. Melissa was born into Generation X, the demographic cohort between Baby Boomers and Millennials. She earned her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with an emphasis in Pastoral Care at Howard University School of Divinity.

Melissa is the Spiritual Director/virtual pastor for Wholy Ground Spiritual center. Melissa is ordained in the United Church of Christ and is currently pulpit supply for the Southern Conference, co-leader for the Racial Justice and Equity team and member of worship committee at Holy Covenant UCC. She is also a facilitator for Our Whole Lives: Lifespan Sexuality Education that fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior. She is intentional about healthy relationships with self, others, and the Divine of our understanding. She is committed to  relationship-building within the community. Melissa also leads the LGBTQ committee for the Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice.

Melissa coordinates panel discussions relevant to social justice issues regarding the LGBT community and the Black Church. She conducts necessary research on the Black church, community, and ongoing sources regarding biblical scholarship and sexuality. She also assists with helping pastors and religious leaders address social and theological opposition in the Black community towards LGBT equality. She helps institutions create radically inclusive faith spaces.

She practices various healing techniques. She believes in African religious traditions, religious pluralism, liberation theology, black liberation theology, womanist theology and mindfulness living.

Her goal is to work with the oppressed and advocate for restorative justice in both church and community with the intention to enforce God’s inclusive love for all of creation.

Melissa is a lover of international cuisines, travel, and music. She is a musician, singer, and loves expressing herself in drumming, dance, and expressive liturgical praise. Melissa says of herself, “As I continue on my path to living authentically, I am committed to helping others do the same – I am initiating the change I want to see.”