Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’
Painting Our Lady of Sorrows
The month of May finds those within the Christian tradition solidly within Easter season, reveling in the promise of resurrection, while simultaneously celebrating Mother’s Day. To be honest, I’d never seen much of a correlation between these two events in the past. But since my brother’s death in March, I’m viewing everything through the lens…
Read MoreWords of Encouragement for LGBTQ United Methodists & Allies
“Do not get weary little children. God is not done with us, yet. So keep praying, stay focused and keep the main thing the main thing.” These words were written by Rev. James E. Swanson, Bishop of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, in response to the Judicial Council’s recent ruling to rescind…
Read MoreWe Are Beloved
When was the last time you heard a sermon focusing on your belovedness, with no “but” attached to it? I mean, an entire Sunday service all about taking in and feeling how much God loves you and delights in you—with no mention of, or alluding to the need for you to be better than you…
Read MoreLGBTQI Methodists Already Know the Way Forward
As an aspiring pastor in The United Methodist Church (The UMC) and a staff person at Reconciling Ministries Network, I spend a lot of time trying to explain my work to strangers, new friends, taxi drivers, and anyone else who might casually ask, “So, what do you do?” In these conversations, I spend most of…
Read MoreUnited Methodist LGBTQI Clergy Present At Judicial Council Hearings
Clergy and their supporters attend Judicial Council hearings impacting their ministry, observe liturgical acts of witness April 25, 2017— Members of the United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus (UMQCC) will be present in Newark, NJ, as the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church (UMC) hears several cases concerning the ordination and ministry of lesbian, gay,…
Read MoreUnited Methodist Queer Clergy Release Easter Letter to Church
Nearly 150 United Methodist LGBTQI Clergy and Candidates Release Letter Week Before Key Judicial Council Decisions April 17, 2017—This morning, 147 LGBTQI clergy and clergy candidates in The United Methodist Church (UMC) released an Easter pastoral letter, inviting the Church to deeper love, inclusiveness, and justice. The letter, organized by the emerging United Methodist Queer…
Read MoreEaster Through The Years: My Trans Resurrection Story
Growing up in an evangelical Christian home, my family was invested in maintaining certain Judeo-Christian holiday traditions. Easter Sunday was no exception; it was a day rooted in chocolate pastels, family dinner, and most notably for me: new accessories. Regardless of my gender assigned at birth, I’ve always loved accessories. I went through a time…
Read MoreWaiting For Good News
Holy Week always brings about a mix of emotions for me. Over the course of a few short days, Christians go from shouting hosanna to eating with friends to remembering the state sanctioned murder of our Savior to seeing that death and hatred defeated in the resurrection. It’s a roller coaster for sure, one that…
Read MoreHow Do We “Love Those Who Persecute Us?”
As my boyfriend Chris and I were walking down the stairs to the subway train platform to head to Sunday morning service at Riverside Church, I spotted it. That unmistakable fire engine red, poorly designed, ill-fitting cap that has become an emblem for all things sexist, racist, xenophobic, and anti-Muslim. We were still a ways…
Read MoreA Response to Rev. Dr. David Gushee’s “Ethical Analysis of the ‘New Sanctuary Movement’”
Hearing Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee speak at The Reformation Project’s 2014 National Conference remains one of the more powerful experiences I have had in my time with our organization. I, a Venezuelan immigrant, sat in the front pew as he spoke a convicting and prophetic word. This word made me weep for my adoptive…
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