I am so excited to announce I have accepted an invitation to be a faculty member for the 2018-19 Trans Seminarian Cohort! From the Trans Seminarian Cohort webpage:
"A YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR TRANSGENDER & GENDERQUEER SEMINARIANSFor the last five years, CLGS (Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion), the Freedom Center for Social Justice and the National LGBTQ Task Force have sponsored a program for transgender and genderqueer seminarians in the United States. Our goal is to encourage trans* students during their training for religious leadership so that they complete their degrees, feel equipped to follow their vocation, and also embrace the fact that their impact as faith leaders can and should extend beyond their chosen settings for ministry and service to include the welfare of the broader communities in which they live. This is the only program that we are aware of that addresses the unique challenges and gifts of trans* seminarians." I was a member of the 2015-16 Trans Seminarian Cohort and the experience was one I treasure. I have learned so much from my time at Luther Seminary and all the colleagues and friends I have in the ELCA, but there is no one in the ELCA who is like me--a transgender Latina; I have no peers in my denomination. It was absolutely incredible to sit in a cabin in the woods of North Carolina during the TFAAN Retreat and have heartfelt conversations with five other transgender women of color in ministry. The experience was transformative. About a week ago, I received an email and had a follow-up phone call with Barbara Satin, a dear friend and a member of the Senior Leadership of the Cohort. When Barbara asked me to join the faculty, my heart jumped for joy. I had to stop and confirm dates (for my calendar rules my life) before I accepted the invitation. I am so happy to come full circle and walk with two incredible individuals who will also be members of the faculty: The Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw (pronouns: he/him/his; the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa the coordinator of the Transgender Religious Roundtable at the Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies at the Pacific School of Religion) and Angel Collie (he, him, his; the Assistant Director of the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity at Duke University). Jakob and Angel were the two faculty members when I was a member of the cohort. As a faculty member, I will be expected to attend specific Trans Religious Cohort sessions, as well as take an active part in these three programs:
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