Created in God's Image: A Lenten Series on Sexuality and Gender

All Pilgrims and friends are invited to our Lenten series this year, titled "Created in God's Image: Sacred Conversation for Mission and Ministry," where we will be learning and discussing issues related to gender and sexuality. It will start on Thursday March 5th, and go from 6-7:30pm, and will happen at the same time on the following four Thursdays. The final session will be April 2nd. In an effort to be as supportive to any interested members of the community food and childcare will be provided!

I personally am very excited for this series for three main reasons. The first reason is practical. I am hoping it will be good preparation for our community as we embark on offering a quality sexual education program for our youth at Pilgrim (Our Whole Lives ). The second is personal. As a new parent I want to feel more practiced, confident, and knowledgeable when it comes to discussing issues of sexuality and/or gender with my child. While I currently think of my new baby as my son, I want to embrace him no matter who he turns out to be, boy, girl, or otherwise. Additionally my personal beliefs on sexuality line up with those of the United Church of Christ, that it is a God-given gift. As a new parent I want to be able to help my child understand sexuality as sacred; to be celebrated (safely) and respected (carefully). 

Finally I think the series will give us a chance to stretch our theological muscles, so that we can more deeply engage with our faith in the world.The God I believe in is greater than one gender. The God I believe in gave us sexuality as one way that we can show and experience love. The God I believe in calls us to grow by inviting us into situations that will make us uncomfortable. Goodness, I feel uncomfortable even writing about this so directly. So, if you are feeling intrigued by the topic of this Lenten series, please come. And, if you are feeling nervous about the topic of this Lenten series, also come. Let’s be there for each other as a community of faith.

-with love,

Felix Flanders, your Director of Christian Education

p.s. If you like the graphic its from genderbreadperson.org.