The idea of the Trinity - a Triune God - Three beings in One is mysterious and perplexing, perhaps by design. Maybe the confusing nature of a God in three forms is intended to draw us into a sense of awe and reverence where we know the power of a God who created the world, knowing all; we sense the quiver of the wise, creative, compelling Spirit who nudges us toward good and right decisions; and we call upon the person of Jesus who is the embodiment of human and Divine perfection able to be compassionate and challenging; gentle and angry; loving and protective.
The Spirit of Pentecost
The Day of Pentecost is about celebrating the life, diversity, and vastness of the Spirit. The day of Pentecost reminds us that Jesus prepared the disciples for the work that they needed to do. This is a time to remember that most of the time the work of the Spirit defies our own expectations and reasonings.
Our table is only as big as our hearts.
Of course, it is stories -- not statistics -- that change us and expand our hearts. On Sunday, I shared about an experience that changed my heart resulting from an assignment in seminary. In an ethics class focused on the way the arts shape our theology and moral lens, our final was to create a piece of art that challenged us to compassionately portray a person or group of people we perceive as "the other."
Queering Racial Justice
This summer, we have been experiencing a hopeful sea change in recognizing the continued oppression of people of color in America because of white supremacy. This week, we celebrate Tuesday’s primary election where many Black women won their primaries and Missouri voted to expand Medicaid coverage.
As LGBTQ people of faith, we know that lasting change comes from sustained effort, sacrifice, and optimistic hope. We bring that hope with us, as we look toward continuing our church’s legacy of justice by digging in deeper in fighting systemic racism.
At the end of July, some in our church were involved in a discussion on Queering Racial Justice featuring young panelists from around St. Louis in response to Milwaukee 53206. This powerful film highlights three families affected by mass incarceration in America’s city with the highest rate of incarceration per capita, where 62% of adult Black men are currently in prison or have served time.
Our conversation contextualized the problem of mass incarceration for St. Louis, creating urgency over the need for us as LGBTQ folks to get involved with addressing the school-to-prison pipeline. In Missouri, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, the incarceration rate has risen since 1978, around 6 times more people are incarcerated now. This increase disproportionately affects black people as 2,237 per 100,000 black people are incarcerated in Missouri compared to 495 per 100,000 white people.
In coming months, we will continue to offer opportunities for you to be a part of the solution to end mass incarceration and address racism in all forms. For now, we invite you to click this link and watch the conversation. Let us know what comes to mind as you listen.
Thank you to Odyssey Impact for the opportunity to screen and discuss this important film.
Support Local Black-Owned Businesses
Can't join the marches, but want to help? There are lots of ways to support Black Lives! One way is to support our local black-owned businesses. Consider placing an order for takeout or just dropping in to do a bit of shopping! Economic strength is vital to all the other aspects of fighting for change and balance.
Just as MCCGSL has done in the past, we can individually or collectively support these businesses with our dollars and our supportive patronage. We and our tribe (friends, family, neighbors) can call in an order at a restaurant or seek out a photographer, tax advisor, or lawyer. Here are some great resources to help you....
MCCGSL Celebrates Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
Today, in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, history was made. After decades of work by activists, lobbyists, and everyday folks marching in the streets or simply talking to family members, it is now illegal to fire someone because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David said this decision is a "landmark victory for LGBTQ equality."
Supreme Court analyst and University of Texas law professor, Steve Vladeck said, "Today's decision is one of the court's most significant rulings ever with respect to the civil rights of gay and transgender individuals. On its terms, the decision is only about discrimination in the workplace, but it inevitably opens the door to a host of other challenges to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status on the ground that it, too, is impermissible based upon sex. In that respect, only the court's 2015 ruling recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage may be equally as significant."
Currently, we are facing so many adversities and challenges to human rights: the imperiled lives of Black Americans, the coronavirus, and growing anxieties over the looming election season. So while there remains much work to be done, today is a day to truly pause and celebrate. This ruling represents a tidal shift in the way America recognizes the inherent dignity of trans* and queer people of all types. In the 51 years since Stonewall, we have come out and proven our worth. Today, the Supreme Court honors what God always knew...what MCC has always taught...that every part of the rainbow, LGBTQIA+, is beloved, precious, and a part of the image of God that we call humanity.
Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we keep working to ensure that every life, especially Black Lives, are held and treated as sacred.
Black Lives Matter
Jesus left for us the work of reconciliation, justice, and renewal. In our community, this includes dismantling white supremacy and confronting systematic racism. We must start with ourselves and our community, so join us for upcoming programs to educate ourselves and one another. See our programming page on our Web Page for available programs.