Transgender Day of Remembrance

Every November 20, we have Transgender Day of Remembrance to remember transgender and gender-diverse people who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence.  The Gospel truth, as I understand and know it, is that all are created in the image of our loving God.  Every single person is created in Christ’s loving and holy image.  Isn’t that something?! 

In God’s Kingdom, there exists room for all expressions of love, including our transgender and gender-diverse people.  And it is important to mark on our calendars to remember Transgender Day of Remembrance because countless lives have been lost due to hate and misogyny, shaming and rancid rhetoric against God’s beautiful creations.  People who’ve given in to hatred have taken the lives of our trans community.  Many gender-diverse people have taken their own lives because of the shame imposed upon them, the hatred spewed, and the doubts put into their minds.

St. John’s Episcopal Church is blessed to have transgender and gender-diverse people as part of our faith family.  Furthermore, they are welcomed into our parish life.  I believe St. John’s is doing its best to embody, “All are welcome because all belong.” 

I give thanks for transgender and gender-diverse people’s witness to Christ’s empowering love to live their authentic lives, to explore their faith with others, and to walk in love through becoming the fullest expression of themselves.  To my gender-diverse and transgender siblings in Christ, know God loves you, and we love you.  Wherever you are on your journey, St. John’s is here for you as we’re Practicing inclusivity, justice, and faith in Christ!

In God’s Grace,

Eric L. Miller+

Rector