Full Acceptance Beyond My Congregation--

[VickySGV]

In other posts I have identified the fact that I am an Episcopalian and that the Protestant Episcopal Church Of The USA which is my parish's national umbrella church changed its canon law in 2012 to welcome Trans* people at all levels of participation in the church.

Local congregations (called parishes) such as mine belong to a regional group of parishes called a diocese, The Diocese is headed by a bishop, who may have other bishops assisting if the Diocese is a large one. I belong in the Diocese of Los Angeles that is large enough to require two assisting bishops, so its pretty darn big. Each year there is a Diocesan Convention with delegates from all of the parish churches along with all the clergy who run the parishes or programs and other institutions run by the diocese. One of my parish's delegates to this convention this year had been unable to go due to some medical issues, and my priest had asked if someone could take their place. To quote the scripture, I felt something say "Here I am Lord send me if it is your will". I volunteered, and got the job to go to the convention representing my parish. The Convention lasted 2 days.

The convention site was about 25 miles from my home so I did not have to stay overnight near the convention center. There were 350 lay delegates (my category), and nearly that many of voting clergy delegates, plus another 200 support personnel who could not vote or speak to the convention.

Other than my own parish clergy and two other lay delegates, one of our bishops (who is a leabian) and two other people, no one knew or cared that I was Trans* or had it matter to them as such. I was given communion, I was greeted warmly by other people, joined in the banter in the lines into the women's restroom, and you name it. It was a bigger deal - in a very nice way -that I was a recovering alcoholic (this in a church that serves wine at church dinners, which we had on Friday evening) than that I could be Transgender. In fact, I spoke with another delegate from another parish about our recovery, and invited her to come to an AA meeting held on my parish's grounds, and both of us kindly reassured several others that their use of alcohol in our presence was not a problem to either of us. I was someone there with full rights and full acceptance, and have now served my parish and wider church, completely feeling myself and true and genuine for the first time in my memory. In the corner of my mind, I feel a warm hand on my shoulder and a face with a warm loving smile on it bending near to kiss me on my cheek with the message of "well done, I love you".

"Whatever you have done to the least of these, my Children, you have done it to me!!"

The peace of the Lord be always with you!!

[JJ]

Bless you Vicky. And bless your church for their acceptance of you, and through you all of us, as normal people with a great deal to contribute when our equality and humanity is recognized.

Hugs

Johnny

[Guest Kalie Aowynn]

Congrats Vicky it must a wonderful feeling being accepted that fully lol And may many more blessings come your way.

Kalie

[Guest]

Vicky, thanks for the morning eye-wash. Giggle. God bless you dear! Hug. Jody

[Michelle 2010]

I read your post this morning Vicky but didn't have time to post until now. I think it is such an important service to share our Reality that we can "fit in" and that such places exist. Additionally, we can provide "Hope" to those who doubt or wonder it it can happen for them as well. I too am so in the middle of my congregation, and am considering applying to be a chaplain. Tonight I just returned from a Fellowship party that rotates once a month from home to home. In addition to the people I already know, I made new friends and and look forward to continuing those relationships. No one treats me as anyone other than simply a member of the congregation (and a pretty talky social butterfly type at that!).

If anyone feels like an outcast in their own church, they should "church shop", because wonderful places really do exist! Congratulations on the good things happening for you Vicky, and thank you for representing for us as well.

Hugs

Michelle

[Charlize]

Thank you for sharing Vicki. While i do not attend regular services of any denomination i certainly admire the service that churches do for others regardless of the denomination. Involving yourself in such service, after feeling a call, is a beautiful experience. Perhaps i will someday join a congregation but for now my Higher Power has me serving at home and at meetings as i can. You are a wonderful representative of both the sober and the trans community although i'm sure the latter is a non issue most of the time. Thanks for your service to others. It sounds like you are well compensated with a kiss from above.

Hugs,

Charlie

[gennee]

Thank you for sharing, Vicky. I'm part of a church family and it's so wonderful to read

stories like this.