Beauty From Ashes: A twist on the Easter message.

It's Holy Week. And Christian communities across the world are all a buzz.

As I am known to do, I am jumping outside the box of how we traditionally think about Easter. Will I skirt around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Absolutely not. Rather, I will embrace it, fully, but in a different light and with a broader lens.

I want to talk about the beauty and the ashes in the lives of those who live at the margins and who call themselves Christian. In particular, LGBTQ+ folks. Some would argue that a queer Christian is one of the most sure footed faithful followers. Why can we say that? Because we have worked so damn hard to preserve our faith when so much in this world would prefer that we dry up and blow away.

When the world has worked so diligently to strip one's faith and use its very foundation, the Holy Scripture, as a weapon to beat the spiritual life out of gay Christians... to rise from the ashes into a beautiful new life is no small feat.

The last 40 days of the Lenten journey delivers us to the foot of the cross this week. As we mourn the death and burial of Jesus some of us mourn the death of our own spiritual selves.

Fear not. Death does not have the last word. Jesus rose on Easter morning.

His life, as God's most precious child, is to be an example for us as we are free to accept the invitation to live out our queer Christian faith through the Easter experience.

Making beauty from the ashes is God's main production. It's a theatrical performance of the greatest proportion. God is taking all of the characters in the play and adorning them with grace, with mercy, with love, and with righteousness... placing the jeweled crown on all of their heads. God's Love wants that none should be separated, none should die a carnal death and call it good.

God makes beauty from ashes day after day. We can take hope and promise in the risen Christ. We can accept the invitation to live into the full embrace of God's love.

We can lay down, turn away, and reject all of those things that work to separate us from who is Beautiful.

We are free to leave our burned up ashes at the foot of the cross believing full well that the promises of Christ include our resurrected lives.

This Easter may you find the tomb empty, may you let the ashes of your grief, your sorrow, and the negative voices that come at you fall away.

May the Son and the Wind whisk you up into new life and make something beautiful from the ash.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below.

Praise God above the heavenly host. Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen and Amen.

The ELCA Lutheran Church invites all to come and dine at the Lord's Table.

The ELCA Lutheran Church is a welcoming and affirming denomination where all are welcome regardless of race, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or ability. To learn more about the ELCA click here.

Prodigal Church

The Revised Common  Lectionary for this week focuses on the story of the Prodigal Son. It is a well-known story in the Bible about two brothers who got their knickers in a snit over working for their Dad.

One brother took off with a bunch of loot and went and lived an exciting life, probably Rio de Janeiro or someplace like that.

The other brother stayed back and took care of the family stead, no small job.

As the story goes, eventually Party Boy came to his senses and wanted to come home. Way off in the distance he was spotted and his Dad pulled out the best of everything.

As you might expect, Farm Boy got very upset while Party Boy was very humbled. The point of the story is that Dad welcomed his son back with open arms…

The same way God invites us back…

no matter how far we've strayed.

The Church is currently trying to untangle the conundrum created by opening Christianity to LGBTQiA+ persons. (Scripture is very clear, the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for ALL people.) Hmmm.

Humans are a funny breed.

Sometimes we think we're God.

Of course, we will never admit it, but at times we've all acted like we have power greater than we do.

But no matter how far we stray, no matter what we have done, God invites us back. With open arms.

Reimagine this:

The unaffirming church, the uninviting church, the rejecting church is in the wilderness.

THEY ARE THE PRODIGALS.

Slowly denominations and independent churches are embracing the idea that God's image is reflected in each of us. They are accepting the Truth that we are all created for good and with purpose. The purpose of the Church is to honor God with our traditions and to build community.

This week when you read the Prodigal Son story I encourage you to tilt the lens just a little bit:

   Imagine the Prodigal coming home is the now-affirming church, the formerly-rejecting church, the people whose hearts have been broken for God and who now repent. They  have come to see God in full Light. They are coming back to the foot of the Cross to ask for God's forgiveness for the harm they have caused God's children.

And like a loving parent who greets their child with open arms, God will invite the church back into the fold. Grace, forgiveness, and restoration take place.

It's a slow crawl, this reimagining. And it takes effort. But no more effort than Jesus put forth to save us all a seat at the table.

To read more about affirming Lutheran churches in the ELCA click here

To read more about the Lutheran Human Sexuality Social Statement click here

To read more from Dawn Bennett click here

Jesus: Execution on Death Row

Ash Wednesday was yesterday and I had the blessing to curate an Art Exhibit in conjunction with an Ashes service. The Art Exhibit was not just any Art Exhibit. It displayed hand-drawn and oil painted canvas scrolls depicting the Twelve Stations of the Cross. In addition, was a stand-alone canvas of the risen Christ.

This description may not stand out to you either. However, it's important to note that the picture and the
scrolls are the mastery of prisoners who live on Tennessee's Death Row.

How ironic is that! Death Row prisoners painting the story of Jesus on his journey to Death Row.

Let that sink in.

Jesus’s death was a State-sanctioned execution. We don't often think about Jesus being incarcerated
or being executed. We have a more touchy-feely version...one of gratitude that he died for our sins
and redeemed us, to secure us a seat at the Table of the Lord in a heavenly kingdom. Now, I'm not
debating Jesus’s death, or even how he died, or even that he willingly went to the cross on our behalf.

Scripture is quite clear about this and Jesus is in agreement. But, Jesus did ask for a stay of execution.
Three times in fact! (Matthew 26 “Father, let this cup pass from me…”) His stay was not granted and
Jesus was executed.

A few questions to ponder: How does  the death penalty impact society today? How is it that we
explain to our children in any more, or less I should say, graphic detail that someone is executed
by State sanction?

We already have a Savior and we don't need another.

There will be no hand drawn and painted scrolls and there will be no portrait of the Risen prisoner
when someone is executed by electric chair or lethal injection.

If we believe in a God who came to redeem the world, then we can sit securely that our executed will
return to their Maker.

It does no good, in my opinion, to put our children in a bubble and not talk to them about mass
incarceration. Not if we are going to talk to them about Lent -- a steadfast faithful tradition where
we teach them about what a wonderful thing Jesus did.

Most Protestant Christians and Catholics and Orthodox believers walked around yesterday with a
black cross on their forehead.

We are reminded of our mortality.

We are reminded of our broken lives and our broken world.

We are reminded that we are in need of something good and holy to reconcile us back to  our Maker.

I'm reminded of the goodness in the world when I look at these beautiful scrolls and this beautiful
portrait of the Risen Christ.

I'm reminded of what is good and pure and holy in this world.

Human hands dedicated their time, talent and treasure...from Death Row... people who shouldn't
really even give a damn...but still do.

As you journey through Lent this season, I invite you to take a deeper look  at the underside of life.

The side that makes you uncomfortable.

The side that makes you want to look away.

The side that makes you want to shelter your children.

And then, I invite you to LEAN IN  TO LENT.

The Stations of the Cross remind us that Christ willingly died for ALL people, regardless of
their station in life.

For more information on the Lutheran Church (ELCA) click here
For more information on the Lutheran Church concerning Criminal Justice click here
For more information on Dawn Bennett click here

Full or Filled

I am often touched by the willingness of people who return to their place of upbringing...those who carry back to others what was given them for their journey.

This week, Jesus does just that. He has returned to Nazareth, the place of his upbringing, He's preaching to his friends and loved ones. He went home to spend time together. They know that he has been out spreading good news across the land, performing miracles and such. All they want upon his return apparently, is some of what he has shared with others.

I suppose it is not an unrealistic expectation. But what happened to the relationship of mutuality? When Jesus declares ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in their hearing the Nazarenes get a little sideways because they are expecting signs and wonders and all they get, at least in their opinion, is a sermon full of words.

It begs the question, are the townspeople full of the love that they helped produce? Or have they allowed their disappointment and unmet expectations to fill them with misguided rage?

Perhaps it is, that they don't realize that their lives are full, and Jesus returned to remind them of that. They have everything they need to go about the work in their community taking care of those in need...to be light in the darkness.

How often it is in our own context that we drive up to the red light and witness a street vendor or a panhandler and think why are you out here? Certainly you have everything you need, if not in your possession at least available to you through Public Services. We allow ourselves to be filled with disgust and hardness of heart.

For us who have been raised in the Christian tradition, we would do well to remember that the Good News of our faith comes back into our lives on a daily basis. Many times a day, actually.

If we remember our roots, we can be full of hospitality and grace. We can be full of love and mercy. And in our fullness, we are equipped upon arriving at the red light...to share our gifts to help fill someone else's life.

For information on how you can help fill other's lives in Nashville, TN click here.

If you are looking for ways to fill others regionally or nationally click here

Weddings and Families

This Sunday we take a break from the synoptic gospels and we spend one week in the book of John. The Wedding Feast at Cana is only recorded in the book of John and the story has always mystified me a bit. There have been a few remaining questions, none of which seem to have clear answers in scripture.

Like, who was it that was getting married? And why was Jesus so undecided about performing a miracle? His mother seemed to know who he was, as the Christ child and it's almost as if she were acting by divine inspiration.

I have often wondered why Jesus and his mother were guests at this particular wedding. Scripture doesn't seem to say if the couple getting married are important people, or just common town folk. The other part it doesn't tell us is whether or not the couple’s family was present at the wedding. Imagine how sad it is when no one in  your family comes to your special celebration - a day that lives forever in your memories.

This reminds me of an advocacy effort worthy of noting. Ever since marriage equality, LGBTQ+  people have been planning weddings and honeymoons and finding ways to enjoy the same rights and privileges as the rest of the country.  You may be surprised to learn that not all parents are ecstatic about their gay children getting married.

Actually, there are many couples who go through their special day without any family representation.

My friend and colleague Sara Cunningham started a nonprofit called Free Mom Hugs. I'm part of the group who gives out free hugs to queer youth when I can... and as a minister, I will also be part of the group who marries LGBTQ+ people. I hope to stand beside Sara someday as mutual support for a young couple choosing to spend life together.

Do you attend an affirming church? Or, maybe your church is a historical landmark? Maybe you could start a ministry in your town so LGBTQ+ have an affirming place to get married. How delightful it would be to have the honor of marrying some young couples. Just imagine? The Fellowship Hall could be filled with jars of wine, just waiting for the party! Your church kitchen could host the festivities and provide a warm and welcoming environment to a couple starting a new life together.

In a recent Facebook post, Sara said she would be a stand-in mom  for any couple whose birth mother refused to come to the wedding if their child was marrying someone of the same sex. Yes, believe it or not, it really happens. Jesus and Mary showed great hospitality during the wedding feast. I wonder if they were attending on behalf of a non-affirming family... Now that’s radical hospitality!  How will you be a stand-in community for LGBTQ+ couples in your town?

Grace and peace,

Vicar Dawn

All Mine, Get Your Own

A few weeks ago we heard about Samuel’s dedication. This week it’s Jesus’ turn. Sam was baptized because his folks brought him to the altar. Jesus went down to the river all on his own. I mean sure, there were witnesses, just like for Sam, but, Jesus declared his own belonging.

Baptism is a forever thing. Once dedicated to God, we are never removed from sacredness or subscription. Actually, we are sacred before subscription, but baptism is our way of making it public.

Our sacredness is not based on anything we do (or don’t do) and no one can strip another person of their belonging. You may be saddened to learn that for LGBTQ+ folks the story is sometimes very different. For some, faith-life has come under attack because of coming out as gay, lesbian, transgender or queer. Now, only God gives and takes away holy things. And the door  to The Club of God’s holy place only swings one way...IN.

ELCA Lutherans are a faith family who believe ALL God’s children have EQUAL value, worth and beauty. If it’s good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us. Maybe he was Lutheran, lol. Lord knows he razzled up more than one fight on God’s behalf (a wink and nod to the Protestant Reformation).

Here’s the thing, when we Christians choose to baptize our children, we acknowledge we have publicly given them back to God. The entire community of believers rallies around and publicly confesses to be an active part of their upbringing. It’s a done deal. God squeals in delight!

Imagine for a second how your life would be impacted by someone you don’t even know demanding that God no longer loves you and you can no longer worship together...and then imagine that person is part of your family.   Sit with that a moment…

It’s the middle of January and already some have been told they are now out in the cold. No one has that power or authority. YOUR BELOVEDNESS IS FROM GOD (not from another person). Our baptism into the mystery of Love is ours. No one can take it from us and we cannot take it from anyone else. Just like your thumbprint is your entrance to humanity, your baptism is your heartprint into the Mystery.

Learn more here about ELCA Lutheran views on human sexuality

Learn more here about becoming an Ally and friend to LGBTQ people

Mystery Revealed

For years I have had a love-hate relationship with the apostle Paul. You know, I hate to love him and love to hate him. Over the centuries his words have fallen on the ears of outraged people who live at the margins of society. That is to say non-white people and gay people. I’m coming out hard in the beginning here because as a minister of the Word, it is my duty to be open, honest and discerning.

The meditation response Paul kicks off in my mind and spirit has helped to form my preaching and teaching over the decades. The theme in this week’s reading from Ephesians 3:1-12, for me is one of waking vs. sleeping, neatly (or unknowingly) placed in divine time.

I too have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace. I’m hoping it’s what affords me the opportunity to engage some hard truths as you read on.  My adrenaline spikes at the sound of Paul calling us “you Gentiles.” It ushers me to close the book and tell Paul where to get off. But reading a bit farther, I can extend Paul some grace when he levels the playing field and tells me he’s the very least of all the saints. (You got that right, buddy.)

We’ve all become fellow heirs, members of the same body and sharers in the promise. Since my primary advocacy-activist work in ministry is in reconciliation with LGBTQiA families, allow me the grace to expand your repository of information about this text.

Generations have passed since Paul’s writing but the words live on in our churches and communities. We have learned to embrace the challenge of being gay and Christian at the same time. It is not a popular opinion and only by a slim margin are we finding safe spaces to worship. The mystery of Christ is still largely hidden in the politics and denominational dogma of Christianity. (And we wonder why so many people flee religion? C’mon, let’s get honest about the damage we cause with our pick-and-choose privileged attitudes.)

Everyone, everywhere is included in the body of Christ. He gave his life in grace, love and mercy for all of us. We weren’t there, none of us can refute this. We can only base our understanding on his words. The mystery of his life and teachings was wrapped up pretty neatly: love God and love each other.  On the way out He even asked for forgiveness for his  own accusers.

It’s a tough go being gay and Christian, at least if you have a penchant to live your life publicly, honestly, and transparently. I’m glad to say mainline denominations are finally pushing back (some more than others). The mystery of God’s love has always poured through the doors of the church. And throughout the ages, times have been dark. For us, no more so than today. At times, a violent and abusive government Administration, the slaughter of friends and loved ones by mentally and emotionally unstable attackers, children overrun with technology so much that they are challenged to understand nature and simple pleasures.

Paul, O Paul, what say you?

We are all Gentiles at this point. And the good news is, we are all chosen and beloved, still. The mystery of God in Jesus has not been hidden so deeply that we cannot find it. But, it has been hidden so deeply that it has become a buried treasure. And that’s the point. Once we find it, we are to bury it...deep in our hearts. Non-white, LGBTQ+, poor, immigrant and any other label the Power tries to apply, know this: the kingdom of God is among us.

Perhaps in former generations the mystery was not made known. But the church is catching on, the Mystery of Equal Access has been revealed. The Eternal Purpose continues to shine brightly through us, believers and non. It’s the way it’s always been. The church is not shrinking, only the attendance in the pews is shrinking. The church is the people. We are outside the four walls wielding our power of the Promise given us. Thanks Paul, for your service. You’re a jackass sometimes, but it is by grace that I love you still.

Click here to read the ELCA Lutheran Social Statement on human sexuality

Click here to learn about affirming (ELCA) Lutheran churches