What Does Pride Mean to Me? An Ally Pastor's Perspective: Growth and Gratitude
What Does Pride Mean to Me?
An Ally Pastor's Perspective: Growth and Gratitude
Rev. Caela Simmons Wood
“I would simply not be the pastor I am today without the faithful witness of so many LGBTQ+ Christians I’ve had the honor of knowing.”
This past Sunday during our worship service, our Director of Children’s Ministries, Brandy McDonald, read a beautiful picture book to the children in our congregation: Twas the night before Pride, written by Joanna McClintick and illustrated by Juana Medina.. As I watched the kids listen, I was reminded how grateful I am to serve in a congregation and conference where Pride month is celebrated. The children in our congregation will never need to doubt that God loves them fully, just as they were created. And they know their congregation loves them fully, too. Thanks be to God.
When I think about what Pride means to me, two words immediately come to mind: growth and gratitude. As a cishet person, my faith has been immeasurably enriched by the queer people of faith I’ve been fortunate enough to serve alongside. When I think about the things I’ve learned from LGBTQ+ folks about how to be a human, a follower of Jesus, and a pastor, I am filled with awe. I simply cannot fathom how much I would have missed out on in my own faith journey without the queer mentors I’ve had. Queer Christians have taught me about the Bible, about the history of the Church, and have modeled every aspect of faithful leadership - from analyzing spreadsheets to writing liturgy, from teaching me how to work more effectively with youth to modeling what it looks like to show up with prophetic power on the streets. I would simply not be the pastor I am today without the faithful witness of so many LGBTQ+ Christians I’ve had the honor of knowing.
I have also learned more than I ever wanted to about pain and betrayal. I have been entrusted with so many stories of deep hurt that churches and people in churches have inflicted on LGBTQ+ people. These stories have filled me with anger and despair. They’ve also helped me learn more about the importance of radical hospitality - not just hospitality for and with queer people, but for people from all walks of life. These stories, shared with generosity of spirit, have taught me about how harmful and real religious trauma is, and how important it is for our congregations to continue to be intentional about the ways we welcome and affirm all of God’s people.
Pride fills me with gratitude. To every person who is LGBTQ+ that offers the fullness of themselves so generously to teach all of us: thank you. We are so grateful that you are YOU and that you are a part of the Church. I thank God for you and your ministry each and every day.