Trinity's Different

08Nov
May God give us gladness of heart, and may there be peace in our days in Israel, as in the days of old.
-Sirach 50:23


Today I’m writing my devotional in a totally different space, both physically and mentally. See, today as I write this is actually Tuesday the 5th, because Maria likes to receive them a few days early! I’m currently sitting in the back of the chapel, rocking a “Free Mom Hugs” rainbow t-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, and my headphones.


Teenage me (I’m 42 now) could never have imagined this. I grew up in a church where women couldn’t wear pants to services. I went to an evangelical high school where Halloween wasn’t just frowned on, it was condemned. Girls couldn’t be acolytes at my church, and they certainly weren’t priests or even serving communion. Believe it or not, that church actually identifies as Episcopalian/Anglican, but until I came to Trinity, I had no idea that this wasn’t how the Episcopal church was! I always thought I was the weirdo. 


The idea of just showing up as I am-as my authentic self-just wasn’t a reality. Or that God loves me as I am. I always thought that I had to be some perfect looking person to come to church, and that I couldn’t hold beliefs that were opposite to what was taught to me. I felt fearful embracing anti-racist, misogynistic, and homophobic beliefs, and I couldn’t reconcile what I believed God to be with what I was taught.


Not surprisingly, I stopped going to church for almost 20 years.


Now, I go to a church who even marches in PRIDE. I belong to a church that isn’t all white, and who actively engages in anti-racism initiatives. I even had never heard of the book of Sirach (today’s passage) because it’s not included in the King James Version of the Bible! I can’t express how important it is for me to have my daughters seeing women in all roles of leadership within the church. Even when we sit at the foot of the altar for Yoga Mass or Family Nights, I am still amazed, as that just isn’t allowed where I grew up (at that church, only men are allowed past the communion railing, unless I was up there arranging flowers at the altar). 


But here I am today. Trinity embraces God’s love and has opened up the chapel to all, regardless of what we look like or how we identify politically, because we are all seeking the peace that passes all understanding. God loves us as we are and invites us in as we are.


So even though Election Day is filled with anxious anticipation, I actually feel at peace. I am grateful for my new future, no matter what happens. I am grateful to be a part of this community. God is still on the throne, no matter what happens in the coming days. May peace be with you too.


Musical Reflection - It is Well with My Soul - Kristene DiMarco



The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

-Philippians 4:7

Peace

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