Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alissa Birkel?
Alissa Birkel is a neurodivergent (auDHD, or autistic with ADHD) mom of two teenage sons and wife to Tim who combines her Jesus-y faith and neurodivergent brain to create mixed media sacred art, sermons, poems, liturgical writings, and photography.
She also hates referring to herself in the third person, and SEO.
What is Alissa's preaching style like?
Alissa’s style as an auDHD Episcopal lay preacher tends to be homiletical, vulnerable, and confessional with an emphasis on exegetical teaching elements and occasional dry, observational humor. She usually preaches from the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the week, but can focus on individual readings as well. Her goal in her preaching is to make Christ known and to facilitate an encounter with the Divine through asking questions of the text and how we are to respond as apprentices of Jesus.
What makes Alissa different?
Alissa’s deconstructed and reconstructed faith combined with her autism + ADHD neuro-sparkly brain give her unique and powerful insights into what it means to faithfully wrestle with how to follow Jesus today.
In addition, her creative expression through sacred visual art, poetry, creative writing, liturgy, and photography provide unique opportunities to minister to others in fresh and unexpected ways. ways.
Where can I find examples of Alissa's preaching?
Examples of sermons that Alissa has preached as a lay preacher can be found on her preaching and speaking page.
Glory in a Time of Chaos is a homily preached on Easter 5 Year C, on May 18, 2025 at The Table Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is a sermon about finding the inescapable glory of God during chaos.
Can These Bones Live? is maybe Alissa’s favorite sermon she’s preached so far. It was preached on Lent 5 Year A, on March 22, 2026 at The Table Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. It shares her reactions to being officially diagnosed as being autistic and ADHD (auDHD) in light of the same Jesus who wept over Lazarus then made him come to life, and the hope we have to keep living when it seems all hope is lost.
What is Alissa’s artistic style like? What are her favorite media?
Alissa’s art tends to be a lot like her sermons and creative writing: layered, textured, honest, real. A self-taught artist, she primarily uses acrylic paint to create mixed media pieces featuring paint, paper, dried flowers, confetti, old ugly canvases found at the thrift, markers, and whatever other materials she finds interesting (aluminum foil, candy wrappers, etc). She also enjoys chalk pastels and colored pencils. She also uses Procreate to paint original digital pieces and collages.
To view Alissa’s portfolio of art projects, visit her paintings & visual art page. You can also purchase original paintings and (eventually) prints and other merch at the Layered Magic shop.
Her surface designs are available on her Spoonflower shop (coming soon).
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How can I get in touch with Alissa?
The best way to get in touch with Alissa, per Alissa, is to “write me a note.” You can also send her an email at alissa.birkel@gmail.com.
For professional inquiries, download her resume.
What is Alissa's photography style like?
Alissa’s photography style tends towards the editorial, photojournalistic, and candid. She believes beholding and becoming are linked. Her goal is capture the beauty of your family or special occasion so you can behold it….and then more fully embody the beauty of who you are so you can more fully become it.