Let Your Light Shine

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in

heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Let Your Light Shine

Good Day Family,

March 31 is the International Transgender Day of Visibility. In the United Church of Christ, we affirm the belovedness and worth of every child of God in all genders, identities, and expressions. This year, we’re sending love notes to trans youth, who have been especially targeted with laws restricting their liberty and acts of hate and violence by people who fear what—and who—they do not understand.

Here is my note:

Beloved Trans Youth,

I see you and recognize you as a marvelous creation of God. I am in awe of your bravery in just showing up in a world that all too often does not understand how wonderful you are. I pray that you know you are not alone. You are valued and loved by God and by more of your siblings in this vast world than you even know. We stand beside you, behind you, and for you in the struggle for your right to be who God has created you to be.

Let your light shine! You are the glory of God!

Your proud sibling,

Cheryl Lindsay

God creates us all, and when God creates God makes all things new. Transgender identities are part of God’s plan and bring glory to God. All of us together make a world that only partially reflects the fullness of God. We all bear our Creator’s DNA and artistic work. Our responsibility to one another is to love each other just as God created us to be, not in spite of our distinctiveness but because of it. We are all the Lord’s good work and we should treat one another as such. In this current climate, no one needs our love and support more than our trans siblings. Let our light shine and let us be known by our

love!

Giving glory to God,

Be well,

Pastor Cheryl

Let us encourage one another. Let us love our neighbor. Let us be the church.