Happy Juneteenth

I am grateful to everyone who participated in our training for how to respond when ICE comes to church. These times are forcing us to be brave as well as safe. I thought it was brave when several parents expressed hearty approval of the book on gender freedom I was offering to bring to worship to share with our kids. Such things are politicized, but they shouldn’t be. Transgender people are celebrating how God made them, and they're asking for just one thing: freedom to be themselves.

Whether immigrant or transgender, Palestinian or disabled - or all of the above! - no one deserves to be erased or deleted. My being is not a problem to be fixed. Your existence is not a mistake. Human dignity is something we share. Love means standing up for one another.

As we celebrate the good news of the end of slavery that arrived for the people of Louisiana and Texas on Juneteenth - June 19, 1865 - I’m remembering the prophetic words of Jimi Hendrix, legendary 20th century rock musician: the power of love will overcome the love of power. That’s good news for these times.

with love, Pr. Chelsea

Holy and righteous God, you created us in your image. Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression. Help us, like those of generations before us who resisted the evil of slavery and human bondage in any form and any manner of oppression. Help us to use our freedoms to bring justice among people and nations everywhere, to the glory of your Holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Copyright © 2019 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)