Posts Tagged ‘Faith and Identity’
My Faith Is Bigger Than the Church
Throughout my first year of seminary, I often had conversations with a good friend living overseas. While our conversation topics ranged from politics to cultural differences to vacation locations, one of our most popular subjects to discuss was religion. We came from two completely different backgrounds-he is a white straight British male who is no…
Read MoreHolding Out Hope For The Presbyterian Church
Here we go: I am one of those women who has been planning her wedding since before she started dating. My Pinterest board can attest to this. I wanted a long, lace,appropriately modest dress and calla lillies. Since I am a product of the church, I have also dreamed about having the pastor that I…
Read MoreFasting Toward Reconciliation This Lenten Season
An oily black smudge on my forehead and my fingers looking like they’d cleaned a chimney were the indicators Ash Wednesday night that Lent had officially begun. The 40 days of Lent require fasting for the ones who claim to be followers—disciples—of Jesus. Fasting in westernized Christianity suggests that we give up something, that we…
Read MoreWhat Happened When My Son Came Out As Gay
When my husband and I became parents for the first time, we knew this new role would change our lives forever. Our Catholic faith told us that we had been given the opportunity to become co-creators with God. Gazing into that innocent face helped us to realize that the unconditional love that we felt for…
Read MoreLGBTQ Christian Movement Leaders Stand In Solidarity With North Carolina Muslim Community
As Christians blessed to do the work of advocating for the inclusion and needs of LGBTQ people, we wish to express our deep grief over the killings this week in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We offer the North Carolina Muslim community our love and solidarity. Chapel Hill is a city built on a hill, on the dream of tolerance and…
Read MoreWhen I Spoke Out, Support Poured Out
When I first joined the Many Voices Video campaign, I wrote a reflection on the importance of having the conversation around lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) acceptance in the Black Church—even when we’re not sure how. Since my video voicing my support as an ally and a southern minister was released, one thing is for certain: People…
Read MorePennsylvania’s Episcopal Bishops Urge Passage Of Non-Discrimination Bill
“Jesus commanded us to love one another, and he listed no exceptions.” Bishops of the five Episcopal dioceses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania today called on the state legislature to pass the Pennsylvania Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in employment, housing, and other public accommodations. The bishops…
Read MoreHow One Pastor Broke The Silence About LGBTQ People
As the faith organizer for Equality Pennsylvania, I am honored to work with people of faith across the state of Pennsylvania to end discrimination against LGBTQ people. I meet clergy from across the state who support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. However, many of these faith leaders are afraid to speak up because…
Read MoreWill Pope Francis Meet With Sister Jeannine Gramick & LGBT Catholics?
Since becoming pope in March 2013, one of Pope Francis’ most endearing habits has been making phone calls or writing notes to ordinary people, and even sometimes meeting with them in a personal encounter. So, is it too much to hope that he might meet with friends of New Ways Ministry when Sister Jeannine Gramick,…
Read MoreWalking In Two Worlds: Walking The Red Road As A Christian
I walk in two worlds, in many ways. Another way I walk in two worlds is in my faith walk. I Walk the Red Road, and then some. To walk the Red Road is to follow a traditional Indigenous spiritual path. I identify spiritually as a Native American Traditionalist / Christian. I am closely tied…
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