I am an out and proud transgender Latina of faith
I have a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver and am a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC.0014519) in the state of Colorado. I am a therapist and clinical supervisor with the Umbrella Collective.
I am a Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I earned a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) through a Distributed Learning program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN. I am currently the Director of Congregational Care at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Boulder CO.
I created this blog at the direction of the Candidacy Committee of the Rocky Mountain Synod. I earned my M.Div. at Luther Seminary through a non-traditional path that did not include a continuous year long stay on campus. My residential credits were earned two weeks at at time, in January and June, on campus in St. Paul MN. I earned 10 of the 30 credits through intensive residential courses. The candidacy committee has directed me to complete an Alternative Residency Formation Plan to: "To give a broader sense of the ELCA to candidates through church experience, understanding ELCA polity and connecting with future colleagues."
My life experience and work to this point was not considered to be sufficient, so I will embark on fulfilling the required task set forth by the candidacy committee starting June 4, 2018. For your edification, the following lists some of my previous experience.
My biography can be found on the LGBT Religious Archives Network website.
A few other articles and interviews:
https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/03/29/conference-asks-the-question-why-are-you-a-christian/
Leadership Opportunities
2015 to 2016 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (fall and spring semesters)
○ Board of Directors, Member-at-Large
Spring 2016
Speeches, Workshops, Presentations, and other activities
2018
I am a Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I earned a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) through a Distributed Learning program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN. I am currently the Director of Congregational Care at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Boulder CO.
I created this blog at the direction of the Candidacy Committee of the Rocky Mountain Synod. I earned my M.Div. at Luther Seminary through a non-traditional path that did not include a continuous year long stay on campus. My residential credits were earned two weeks at at time, in January and June, on campus in St. Paul MN. I earned 10 of the 30 credits through intensive residential courses. The candidacy committee has directed me to complete an Alternative Residency Formation Plan to: "To give a broader sense of the ELCA to candidates through church experience, understanding ELCA polity and connecting with future colleagues."
My life experience and work to this point was not considered to be sufficient, so I will embark on fulfilling the required task set forth by the candidacy committee starting June 4, 2018. For your edification, the following lists some of my previous experience.
My biography can be found on the LGBT Religious Archives Network website.
A few other articles and interviews:
- I am a Licensed Professional Counselor working with an incredible group of therapists at the Umbrella Collective.
- My Facebook page may be accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/Nicoleg152
- My Twitter account may be accessed at: https://twitter.com/nicoleg152
- I am a faculty member of the 2018-19 Trans Seminarian Cohort
- Here is a link to my Keynote address at St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego on July 11, 2018:https://stpaulcathedral.blogspot.com/2018/07/persist-with-faith-persist-with-pride.html
- Here is a link to the video of the entire service at St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral on July 11, 2018:https://vimeo.com/280022623?ref=fb-share
- Here are links to two articles I have written for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago:
- Why Christian? The conference has a website and there was an article associated with the Why Christian conference where I was a speaker. Here are the links:
https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/03/29/conference-asks-the-question-why-are-you-a-christian/
- Sojourners magazine: 2018’s 10 Christian Women to Watch (March 8, 2018)
- Rocky Mountain Synod Youth Gathering in Colorado Springs:
- “One in Christ” - RMS Jan. 2018 Synod Youth. Gathering (“wait, what!?”)
- Sojourners: “Just as I am—Against the odds, Transgender Christians persevere”
- Promotional video for Rolling the Stone Away conference:
- Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s statement on support of the transgender community:
- Follow Friday: Transgender Christians, by Rachel Held Evans: “So for today’s Follow Friday, I wanted to feature some beautiful siblings in Christ who are doing the hard work of telling their stories, engaging the culture, and helping the Church better understand what it means to be a transgender person of faith. Please consider sharing their videos and articles online to counter some of the destructive messages getting airtime these days. http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/follow-friday-transgender-christians
- Latinas Leading in Religion: A Hard Path to Follow, by Amaris Castillo Vivala Reporter: “It's never been an easy road for Latinas fighting for leadership within their faiths.” http://www.vivala.com/womens-issues/christianity-latinas-difficult-road-leadership/4000
- Interview: GLAAD talks to Nicole Garcia, a transgender Latina and future Lutheran minister. http://www.glaad.org/blog/interview-glaad-talks-nicole-garcia-transgender-latina-and-future-lutheran-minister
- Huffington Post Religion: 15 Christian Women Get Real About The Role Of Women In The Church, by Carol Kuruvilla. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/15-christian-women-get-real-about-the-role-of-women-in-the-church_us_56e1dd0ee4b0860f99d84e80
- Believe Out Loud: How This Transgender Latina Found Her Way Back To Faith - http://www.believeoutloud.com/latest/how-transgender-latina-found-her-way-back-faith
- LGBTQ Task Force: Transgender Latina Reflects on Journey of Faith During Easter Season. https://thetaskforceblog.org/2016/03/25/transgender-latina-reflects-on-journey-of-faith-during-easter-season/
- The Shower of Stoles Project, Online Exhibition: Nicole Garcia. http://www.lgbtran.org/exhibits/stoles/Stole.aspx?ID=1887
- The Reformation Project: Opening Keynote Speaker at The Reformation Project conference to held November 5-7, 2015 in Kansas City MO. Information about this event can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtSdgOC5pI&feature=youtu.be
- Religion for Life: Interview by John Shuck titled--Nicole Garcia, a Transgender Latina of Faith. Posted on July 12, 2015 at http://religionforlife.podomatic.com/entry/2015-07-12T04_34_12-07_00
- Huffington Post: The Inspiring Faith Journey of Nicole Garcia, a Transgender Latina and Future Minister by Becky Garrison. Posted on Huffington Post on July 5, 2015 at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/05/transgender-ministers-nicole-garcia_n_7696088.html. Article originally posted on June 29, 2015 by the Religion News Service at: http://www.religionnews.com/2015/06/29/nicole-garcia-journey-one-transgender-latina-church/
- OnFaith by faithstreet.com: Finding Faith in Jesus as a Transgender Christian by Nicole M. Garcia. Posted on June 9, 2015. Found at: http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2015/06/09/finding-faith-in-jesus-as-a-transgender-christian/37068
- New York Times: Transgender Today: Nicole M. Garcia. Posted on May 21, 2015. Found at: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/storywall/transgender-today/stories/nicole-m-garcia-ma-ncc-lpcc
- Blog by Monika Kolwalska: The Heroines of my Life: An Interview with Nicole Garcia. Found at: http://theheroines.blogspot.com/2014/07/interview-with-nicole-garcia.html?spref=fb.
- More Light Presbyterians National Conference: Sermon at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, September 28, 2013. http://www.mlp.org/2013/10/15/parable-good-samaritan/
- Transfaith: From fear to hope, by Nicole Garcia— http://www.transfaithonline.org/network/200904_dcsummit/hope/
- Concord – Newsletter of Lutherans Concerned North America. Vol. 28: Guided onto the Path of Peace, Love and Joy by Nicole Garcia.. No. 4. Retrieved from: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/images/stories/downloads/concords/Concord_28_4_Winter_2007.pdf
Leadership Opportunities
2015 to 2016 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (fall and spring semesters)
- Candidate for Ordained Ministry. Seminarian-on-staff as part of the Luther Seminary Class: Christian Public Leadership. Primary responsibilities include preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care pastoral care under the supervision of mentor pastor, The Rev. Sara Wirth.
- Sponsored by the Pacific School of Religion’s Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, The Freedom Center for Social Justice’s Transgender Faith and Action Network, and The Institute for Welcoming Resources at the National LGBTQ Task Force
- Candidate for Ordained Ministry. Seminarian-on-staff as part of a Luther Seminary class: Christian Public Leadership. Primary responsibilities include preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care under the supervision of mentor pastor, The Rev. Sara Wirth.
○ Board of Directors, Member-at-Large
- Member of Transgender Steering Committee
- Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors – 2014 to 2015
- Co-Chair of the Board of Directors - 2011 to 2014
- Transgender Representative to the Board of Directors - 2008 to 2011
- Founding member of the Board of Directors
- Chair of Leadership Development Committee
- Board of Directors
- Latino/a Roundtable - Member
- President of the Board of Directors
- Chairperson of the Facilities Committee
- Secretary of the Congregational Council
- Board of Directors
- Latino/a Roundtable - Member
- Facilitator of Transgender Support Group
Spring 2016
- Clinical Pastoral Education: January 4th to May 6th at St. Anthony North Healthcare Campus in Westminster CO. The Rev. Janet Barriger, supervisor.
- SANE Program Anti-Oppression Training, Boulder CO.
- The Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy, Denver CO: Level 1 Training
- The Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy, Denver CO: Level 2 Training
- The Love and Trauma Center: Introduction to Somatic Trauma Therapy
- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Minneapolis MN: Building an Inclusive Church: Training for Trainers
- Pacifica Violence Prevention Institute, Denver CO: Anti-Bullying: Training for Trainers
- Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, The Mountain Retreat Center, NC: A La Familia: Training for Trainers
- St Paul Lutheran Church, Denver CO: Building an Inclusive Church. Facilitated the discussion regarding Transgender Education.
- Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health: Leave No one Behind; Providing Culturally Congruent Prevention and Treatment for Individuals and Sexual Minority Status.
- Lutherans Concerned/ North America, St. Paul MN: I Love to Tell the Story, – Training for Trainers
- Lutherans Concerned/North America, Santa Fe NM: Building an Inclusive Church/participant
Speeches, Workshops, Presentations, and other activities
2018
- Nederland High School, Nederland CO: facilitation of a conversation with a high school diversity class on the diversity of gender and sexual orientation
- Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly: volunteer as a pastoral intern to assist Assistant to the Bishop Erin Power in any task deemed necessary (registration, sacristan, labor).
- Speaker at Why Christian at Duke University Chapel in Durham NC. An event curated by Nadia Bolz-Weber and Rachel Held Evans. Why, in the wake of centuries of corruption, hypocrisy, crusades, televangelists, and puppet ministries do we continue to follow Jesus? Following up on the success of the Why Christian 2016 we invite you to join us for two days of courageous storytelling to answer the question Why Christian?
- Rocky Mountain Youth Gathering in Colorado Springs CO. Storyteller and workshop presenter.
- Centennial Lutheran Church, Littleton CO: Sermon—“The significance of La Virgen de Guadalupe to the Latino community.”
- Ecumenical Vespers for the Preservation of Creation: On planning team for the ecumenical vesper service held at Regis University. Worked with Fr. Chrysostom Frank, a Russian Catholic Priest, to coordinate and recruit the Lutheran Choir
- Rolling the Stone Away: On planning committee, invited guest, workshop presenter, and speaker. Rolling the Stone Away honored elders, saints and prophets from all generations, and marked the ground-breaking achievements, relentless commitments, and often painful sacrifices these leaders have made in religious organizations over the past five decades. The next generations were in the house and shined a light on what comes next.
- University of Colorado Boulder LGBT Faith Panel--member of panel to discuss living at the intersection of transgender and faith.
- University of Colorado Boulder Transforming Gender Conference--present workshop on the intersection of faith and gender identity.
- New Beginnings Worshipping Community: I preached on January 27th and June 30th at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility
- St. Paul Lutheran Church, Denver CO: Guest preacher on February 26th
- Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Louisville CO: Guest preacher on April 2nd
- Central Avenue Church in Glendale CA: Guest preacher on January 29th
- Women’s March on Denver, January 21st: participant and speaker.
- Transgender Day of Remembrance at United Church of Christ, Longmont—Master of Ceremonies and speaker.
- The Reformation Project Conference in Long Beach CA: Speaker and workshop on “Living at the intersection of Faith and Gender.”
- Nuevo Amanacer: Unidos Crecemos / Together We Grow: Panelist and speaker. Co-sponsored with the Episcopal Church's Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries and the Latino Ministries Office of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, this biennial event offered practical tools and a network of support to better equip for ministry those working within the Latino/Hispanic community and those who want to be.
- Grace Lutheran Church, Boulder CO: Guest preacher on August 28th
- MCC of the Rockies: Guest preacher on August 7th
- East High School, Denver CO: facilitation of a discussion with a group of gender fluid high school students on the implementation of the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Release Joint Guidance to Help Schools Ensure the Civil Rights of Transgender Students.
- Nederland High School, Nederland CO: facilitation of a conversation with a high school diversity class on the social construction of gender
- Boulder County OASOS (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth 13-18): member of panel on Queer and Transgender folks in Spirituality and Religion
- Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, Loveland CO – co-facilitate an immersion workshop: The Ministry of LGBTQ people in the church.
- Our Witness, Denver CO: speaker. Our Witness was a live event which platforms the stories and perspectives of LGBT+ Christians in order to inspire, encourage, and educate our fellow followers of Jesus about what it means to be queer and Christian.
- Out Door Fund Gala, Boulder CO: Master of Ceremonies. The Open Door Fund, a permanent endowment of The Community Foundation, supports the Boulder County community by raising money and distributing grants for programs that enhance the lives of its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
- Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Ft. Collins CO: A transgender Latina of faith.
- Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Boulder CO: Facilitate a day-long Stephen Ministry training
- Boulder County PFLAG, Boulder CO: The state of LGBTQ acceptance in the ELCA.
- The Reformation Project: Kansas City, MO. Opening keynote speaker.
- Multi-faith Transgender Religious Leaders Summit, Berkeley CA. Attendee and co-facilitate workshop on the intersection of faith and mental health care.
- Lutheran Campus Ministry, Grand Forks ND. Presentation at the Grand Forks Pridefest on being a transgender Latina in the ELCA. Preach on Sunday morning service at Lutheran Campus Ministry.
- University of Northern Colorado, Greeley CO: presentation to a graduate level class of speech pathologists at the invitation of Derek Headley, Ph. D.
- 1st Congregational Church (UCC), Greeley CO: “Wednesday Night Live” presentation--Being a transgender Latina of Faith
- Boston College: sponsored by the Boston College Graduate Students of Color Association: co-facilitator of Before God, We All Are Family: Explorations at the Intersections of Faith, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Familia.
- Evergreen High School, Evergreen CO: Co-facilitate four workshops with high school students on gender identity, roles, and expression
- Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder: Being a transgender Latina of Faith
- Creating Change Conference, Denver Colorado
- Trans Persons of Color Coalition: strategic planning meeting
- Latino/a Institute: Opening devotion
- Co-facilitator: A Queer Church Beyond Inclusion
- Co-facilitator: Envisioning New Possibilities in Queer Theological Schools
- Delivered a sermon at the Multi-faith service
- University of Colorado Denver – Guest lecturer
- Counseling Transgender and Genderqueer Clients
- University of Colorado Boulder – GLBT Resource Center - Guest lecturer
- Queering Catholicism and other Religious Traditions
- Out Boulder: Facilitate a Train-the-Facilitator training.
- Out Boulder: co-facilitate Longmont Town hall meeting
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church – Nashville TN – Building an Inclusive Church
- LEVI Quarterly Training:
- Barriers and Gaps in Services for Trans Survivors of Sexual Violence – Longmont CO.
- Co-facilitator as member of the Boulder County Trans Survivor Task Force.
- University of Colorado Denver – Guest Lecturer
- CPCE 5120 Counseling Grief and Loss
- Processing the grief and loss associated with a gender transition
- CPCE 6100 Spiritual Dimensions in Counseling
- On being a Trans Latina person of faith
- CPCE 5810 Multicultural Counseling Issues for Individuals and Families
- Gender Identity
- Sexual Orientation
- Counseling the LGBTIAQ community
- CPCE 5115 Group Counseling
- Forming a peer support group
- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – Duluth, Minnesota
- Sermon – Is there a place for me?
- Adult forum – A Transgender Latina in the ELCA
- Nederland High School – My life as a Transgender Latina
- More Light Presbyterians - Annual conference Tucson AZ
- Keynote Speaker
- Deconstructing Gender Workshop
- University of Colorado Boulder – GLBT Resource Center
- Keynote Speaker at the Lavender Graduation
- CU System Creating Equity for the LGBTQ Community in Higher Education
- Opening remarks
- Member of LGBTIAQ student panel
- The Vagina Monologues – The Vagina Workshop
- ReconcilingWorks of Northern Colorado – Building and Inclusive Church
- Lutherans Concerned/Northern Colorado – Introduction to ReconcilingWorks
- The Vagina Monologues – They Beat the Girl out of my Boy
- Colorado College – panel member – Creating Inclusive Congregations
- Creating Change – annual conference of the Gay and Lesbian Task Force
- Co-facilitate A La Familia workshop
- Co-facilitate Building Bridges workshop
- Co-facilitate Transgender Pastoral Care workshop
- Philadelphia TransHealth Conference
- Facilitate discussion: Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience
- University of Colorado Boulder - Transforming Gender Symposium
- Co-facilitator - A La Familia
- TransFaith in Color conference – Charlotte NC
- Keynote speaker: Modeling Mi Familia
- Co-facilitator - A La Familia
- Boulder County Public Heath – Transgender health panel
- Boulder County PFLAG – Boulder Library - Facilitate discussion: Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience
- OASOS – Spirituality and Gender Identity panel
- University of Colorado Denver – Gender Identity and Career Counseling
- St. Vrain School District – Gay Straight Alliance – LGBTQ Spirituality panel
- Boulder County PFLAG – Deconstructing Gender
- Wheat Ridge Methodist Church – Building an Inclusive Church
- St. Paul Lutheran Church (Denver) – What it means to be Reconciling in Christ
- Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship – presentation following the screening of Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience
- Interface Boulder – Deconstructing Gender
- Transgender Roundtable, Washington DC – Identifying the mainline Protestant welcoming programs
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Littleton CO) – Building an Inclusive Church
- Hearts on Fire – Lutherans Concerned Biennial Assembly – San Francisco CA – Transgender 101