Welcome to the Wondrous Variety

Every year, the month of June is designated as a time to remember those who have gone before us in the LGBTQIA+ community who have died at the hands of hatred and violence simply for being born distinct. This brutality has been present throughout human history, but has particularly come to a head in recent generations. And so, the PCUSA joins with our siblings in Christ as we all grieve these losses. At the same time, we celebrate with joy the fearful and wondrous creations God has made in each and every one of God's children.

Bear in mind that this is only one of many groups who have been, and continue to be, targeted for a chance of birth. We at Grace welcome and embrace all of God's children in the totality of their God-created being. And as a mom of a queer child, this is especially close to my heart.

The following words were written by my colleague, the Rev. Sam Lundquist, a queer pastor, writer, and associate pastor of St. John's PCUSA San Francisco. May they be true for all of us, this day and always.

Also, the refrain is from "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.

A Litany for Pride

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are the sacred weird ones.

Blessed are the holy and wholly different.

Blessed are the ones who are too loud, too bold, too wild, too much.

Blessed are your children God.

Blessed are your gay, lesbian, and bisexual children.

Blessed are your trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming children.

Blessed are your children who we are all learning to name, describe, and know.

I'm beautiful in my way/'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track baby/I was born this way

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are those who have come out.

Blessed are those who cannot.

Blessed are those who are still finding their way.

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are those who feel boxed in.

Blessed are those who feel shackled by tradition.

Blessed are those who are suffocated by the roars of expectation.

I'm beautiful in my way/'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track baby/I was born this way

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are those who struggle with self-harm and self-hatred.

Blessed are those who strive to accept the person they see in the mirror.

Blessed are those who strain each day just to survive.

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are those who persist.

Blessed are those who persevere.

Blessed are those who prove to the world each day that diversity is divine.

I'm beautiful in my way/'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track baby/I was born this way

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are those chosen families who have taken in the lost and forgotten.

Blessed are the friends and family who have helped rewrite the stories of lives.

Blessed are the allies who have loved those unable to love themselves.

Blessed are your children, God.

Blessed are those whose ancestral queer footsteps we walk in.

Blessed are those who marched and marched and marched before us.

Blessed are those who have dared to dream and dared to demand justice.

I'm beautiful in my way/'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track baby/I was born this way

Blessed are your children, God.

Every single one of them.

And blessed are we as we

Tirelessly,

Courageously,

Imaginatively,

Co-create with you

A world where all people know and feel and have love.

All sexualities.

All genders.

All gender expressions.

All families.

All bodies.

Holy One, guide us toward your strange, boundless, undefinable love. And when we are met with the sneers, side-eye, and shame of the world, remind us who walks this journey with us. You: the One who has shattered every norm, every box, every shackle that holds us down and calls us to do the same. Amen.

Blessings,

Rev. Janie