Trans Day of Remembrance prayer

[Astrid]

This morning, our church observed the Trans Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20th) with this affirming prayer:

 

A TRANS PRAYER OF DIVINE UNDERSTANDING

Creative Spirit, Holy Momentum,

Ever Transitioning One,

You hold the prayers of trans people close,

like the embrace of someone who understands –

a source of comfort and hope.

 

We share this joy – You and us:

Taking on new forms, that life might thrive.

Shedding what no longer fits; or never did.

 

Struggles, we share, too:

Religious beliefs that confine being and becoming.

Enduring acts of violence born from fear and fueled by power.

Even as we endure too much, too long,

how burdensome is Your lot, Divine One…

Centuries pass, and still so few who claim to love You

believe you are who you say You are –calling You an excuse for bigotry,

when You are a river of Love.

 

When You stretch out Your arms as the embrace of a gentle man,

or kick out Your feet as the dance of a woman,

or run wild in open fields with every gender-less,

or gender-abundant, or nonbinary kiddo loving their flesh,

You take delight in every moment, finding a home with every body.

 

The glory of Your Multiplicity cannot be hidden away.

We may be a long way from safety yet,

but Your mercies are new every morning

and with each day dawns new possibilities

of Sacred Transition into a world more fitting for everyone.

 

May Your blessing be upon all Your trans beloveds.

May You continue to take pleasure in each of us, Your stunning incarnations.

And as we care for our each other,

may the god we practice be a comfort and a strength. Amen.

 

[Davie]

Went to a Transgender Day of Remembrance group today at the Charles River near Harvard. Flower petals were handed out for folks to cast into the waters in remembrance of those lost. It was a quiet gathering, of course. I talked with Diversity leader who works with TransHarvard among other LGBT groups at Harvard. Most others were students. And there was this real old guy who took a picture. Good to be there.

 

[Susan R]

On 11/19/2023 at 8:02 AM, Astrid said:

Even as we endure too much, too long,

how burdensome is Your lot, Divine One…

Centuries pass, and still so few who claim to love You

believe you are who you say You are –calling You an excuse for bigotry,

when You are a river of Love.

@Astrid This is a such a well written beautiful poem. The above quote is so meaningful to me as it’s part of the life of a transgender person. Few outside our community will ever in their lifetime understand what we have endured both mentally and physically. God knows all of our pain and understands the need for us to find our path. If others could only see it like He does, maybe attitudes would finally change.

[Davie]

On 11/19/2023 at 11:02 AM, Astrid said:

A TRANS PRAYER OF DIVINE UNDERSTANDING

Yes. Understanding. Understanding heals a lot of things. Thank you, @Astrid.

[Heather Shay]

Such beautiful thoughts.