For the month of June I am highlighting queer friends who grew up in or spent significant time in conservative evangelical spaces. Earlier this week Taylor Graffum shared about their experience denying parts of themselves in order to care for the teenagers under their care. That experience eventually forced a confrontation within Taylor as they realized that There is Power in a Name.
Following these weekly posts I’m sharing resources for thinking more deeply about your own response. This week we have two songs from Taylor to put on your playlist, a prayer shared by Taylor for Pride Month by Rev. Sam Lundquist, and one book from me on the “clobber” passages in the Bible used to justify homophobia.
Music:
If It’s Not God, Maddie Zahm
Maddie grew up loving church, but was struggling to understand how who she loved could be wrong. Eventually she realized that she had to leave a church environment that was counter to what she believed about love. She is grateful for the voice inside of her, whether her own voice, or God’s voice, that told her to leave and find a healthier path forward. This has been one of my favorite songs over the last month. It is beautiful, haunting, hopeful, and powerful. - Adam
Click HERE a short behind the scenes conversation with Maddie about this song.
Plowshare Prayer, Spencer LaJoye
From Spencer:
If you know me well, you know I don't "pray." It's not that I don't know how, or that I don't think the practice can be fruitful...it's just that some of us get prayed for in ways we don't want. In ways that don't honor us. In ways that re-closet us. In ways that short-circuit our grief. In ways that pity us. In ways that really hurt. So I tend to avoid it in the name of do-no-harm.But I was tasked with writing a song for Juniper Formation's prayer/communion gathering on Monday, so I had to stare prayer in the face.
And I thought, "what would a prayer sound like if it was used as a balm instead of a weapon? A plowshare instead of a sword?"
So here's my go at that. "A Plowshare Prayer." - Spencer LaJoye
A Blessing:
Queer siblings, know that you are known and
loved by our Creator and by this community.
Hear the words of this blessing by Rev. Sam Lundquist:
Beloved, there is only love.
In you, only love.
Around you, only love.
Not a touchy-feely, pop song kind of love.
But a love that knows every secret corner
of your fragile, fabulous being and says, "Yes!"
"Yes!" to your desire.
"Yes!" to your difference.
"Yes!" to your diversity.
Whoever you are,
whatever beautiful spirit
God created you to be,
shine fearlessly and courageously.
We need you
and the divine light within you
to sparkle through the prism of your body
and brighten the world
with a glorious rainbow.
Never forget you are loved.
Fiercely and forever.
Books:
UnClobber, Colby Martin
From the book description:
Armed with only six passages in the Bible—often known as the "Clobber Passages"—the conservative Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of our LGBTQ siblings. UnClobber reexamines each of those frequently quoted passages of Scripture, alternating with author Colby Martin's own story of being fired from an evangelical megachurch when they discovered his stance on sexuality.UnClobber reexamines what the Bible says (and does not say) about homosexuality in such a way that sheds divine light on outdated and inaccurate assumptions and interpretations. This new edition equips study groups and congregations with questions for discussion and a sermon series guide for preachers.