From Exile to Open Arms
I am a transgender woman (male-to-female) living in San Francisco and worshiping with the oldest Congregational church west of the Mississippi. In my last trimester of life, I did not fully engage my transgender identity until I was in my forties and working as a civilian for the U.S. Army in a very visible position. I had been a very active person in a Pentecostal, evangelical church since 1982. I served as a street outreach leader, open-air preacher, and home group leader. That church was against homosexuality and actively supported the "conversion" type ministries such as Exodous, etc.
When I transitioned in 1993 I had to leave my church and my ministries. I remained in exile until 2005, when I moved close to the church I now attend. They are an open and affirming congregation in the United Church of Christ. They had signs in their window describing their welcome to all. I did not believe them; until one Sunday I decided to put them to the test . The warmth, love, and acceptance the showed me moved me to stay. I was their first transgender member, and have never felt threatened or ignored because of that status. Just the opposite! My pastor, a gay man, was actually very enthusiastic about my presence. My ministerial calling soon re-awakened. I have preached at this church, served on their Steering Committee, Building Committee, and on occasion facilitated our Adult Forum. I will be preaching again on Pride Sunday in our new building. Since that May in 2005 I have learned more about inclusive theology and scriptural interpretation; however it is the simple love and willingness to accept of the largely straight and older congregation that is the real witness of God's inclusive hospitality.
One of the greatest examples of this was in March of 2006. An unidentified transgender woman had been beaten to death in our Tenderloin district. Your Dawnne Woodie had sat with her, her final hours of life. It moved Dawnne and myself quite profoundly; it still does. Since she only had a street name and no known family I went to my pastor and announced we should have a memorial service for her. He did not bat an eye at the request, and he, and many congregation members helped with the service. Several transgender people who otherwise would never set foot in a church attended, and were moved by the service and our church's willingness to host it.