Trans + Gender Expansive Worship Resources
“We affirm all people, of all gender expressions, and their pronouns that enrich our language and love.”
From a Pronoun Liturgy composed by Eli Burton
TransParent Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday in November as a day to celebrate life and the love between transgender parents and their children and transgender children and their parents. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is November 20, a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. It is a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people.
AllianceQ invites you to use the following trans and gender expansive worship elements this month or any month. First, a Pronoun Liturgy. Below, a Mirror Meditation. You are also invited to join with Disciples across the Church for a virtual Transgender Day of Remembrance worship service. Event info here.
Pronoun Liturgy
Lord, We are grateful for the gift of our lives and the gift of others in
our lives.
ALL: For the she, he, they, ve, ze, fae, and elle.
Many and varied in gender, color, sexuality, age, class and ability, we are members of Christ’s beautiful body.
ALL: For them, em, per, ver, hir, her, and him.
We are called to love each other and to do nothing to others that we would find hateful to ourselves. For only together can we find wholeness. We honor the many ways that people live and love.
ALL: We honor all perspectives – his, pers, hirs, xyrs, theirs,
faers.
We repent for the times when our faith traditions have named transgender people and folx on the gender spectrum unworthy. Love does not exclude. We are all worthy.
We suffer when trans and folx on the gender spectrum are oppressed, excluded and shamed by religious people who overlook the fundamental call to justice in our scriptures. True justice flourishes when we can live with authenticity and integrity. May we work to build a community where transgender folx, and people all over the gender spectrum are affirmed and celebrated as full and equal members, recognizing their many gifts.
ALL: We affirm all people, of all gender expressions, and their pronouns that enrich our language and love.
We celebrate gender diversity as a blessing that enriches us all.
Amen.
Find a PDF of the Pronoun Liturgy here.
A Mirror Meditation
From Alysha Laperche
To mirror gaze, you use a mirror to make eye contact with your own reflection instead of closing your eyes and turning your attention inward. This practice can become deeply intimate since it requires you to spend a few quiet, mindful moments sitting with not just your thoughts, but your own watchful eyes.
Divinity lives within us. We are image-bearers of God, which means that by looking at ourselves we are peeking at a part of the Divine puzzle. It also means that through seeking God, we can come to know ourselves more fully.
Find the Mirror Meditation here.
The Pronoun Liturgy and Mirror Meditation were part of a worship service during the October Council retreat. Contact alliance@disciplesallianceq.org for additional resources and support. Worship with us on Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR).
