Friends in Christ:
On January 21, the day after the presidential inauguration, I boarded a plane, along with 15 other pastors and leaders from across the synod, to spend 10 days with our companions in the Diocese of Meru in northern Tanzania. It was a marvelous experience, connecting with old friends and meeting new ones, visiting the various parishes and ministries of this vibrant church. It was challenging to try to remain present and focused on what we were experiencing there, while at the same time being drawn to pay attention to what was taking place back home, with the many executive orders and other changes that were part of the early days of the presidential administration.
This challenge came into clear focus on the last full day of my time there, when we had a chance to meet with all the pastors and the staff of the diocese. We gathered for worship, during which I offered a brief reflection, we prayed, and then, after introducing the members of the synod delegation, we opened the meeting for questions from the 60 or so pastors who had gathered. The first question was, “How do you think the election of your new president will impact our partnership?” I shared that, aside from some potential changes and challenges with obtaining travel visas, our partnership was strong and the relationships we shared were rooted in God’s love, so I saw no impact. Then came the second question: “Your new president has declared that there are only two genders; what comment do you have on that?”
I took a deep breath and said something like, “When God created the heavens and the earth, God separated the light from the darkness. The light he called day, and the darkness he called night. But we all know that there is more than just day and night; there is dusk and dawn and everything in between. This is how I understand human sexuality and gender. Yes, the bible says that God created us to be male and female, but we are learning that not everyone fits into those categories neatly. To deny this reality is to deny the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.” I’m aware that I am not the first person to make use of this analogy, but it proved to be a helpful answer to this question, and I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit brought it to me in that moment.
In recent weeks, we have witnessed a number of statements and executive orders that have sought to create a hostile environment for our LGBTQIA+ siblings. While this saddens and often angers me, I recognize that the stakes are incredibly higher for those whose safety and identity are threatened by these actions and statements. As a leader in a church that has pledged to stand with and walk with all who may be marginalized and vulnerable, I urge us all to take the following steps:
- Pray for the safety and well-bring of our LGBTQIA+ siblings — often, out loud, in our public worship gatherings. Include the word “trans” or “transgender” in these prayers, and remember, when we pray, we are volunteering to be used by God to fashion responses to our prayers.
- Speak up and speak out. Whenever folks around you speak or act in a way that discriminates against or harms others, let them know that you are working to create a world free from hatred, fear, and discrimination.
- Check in with those you know who belong to the LGBTQIA+ community; let them know that they are not alone, ask if there are ways you can support them.
- Take the next step. All of us are at different places on the journey toward understanding and building communities and relationships that recognize the dignity and humanity of all of God’s children. Wherever you are on your journey, trust that God meets you there and that the Holy Spirit will give you the strength, humility, and courage to take the next step.
Our God has created this beautiful, complex, and diverse world, and that same God commands us to love and care for it all. I will always have more to learn from our transgender and queer siblings, but I don’t have to wait to love and stand in solidarity with them. We are the body of Christ; all of us. We need to stand and weep and pray and work, together.
In Christ,
Bishop Paul Erickson
