Friends,

On Sunday, the Rev. Todd Lippert of ISAIAH MN spoke powerfully about how people of faith can speak truth and practice the way of Jesus in the midst of rising hate and authoritarianism. “May we take heart and be of good courage in a time when our neighbors need a church that is clear that we are Christ’s body for the world now." Watch the sermon here.

Here's what else you'll find below:

• Details about joining others from Grace at this Sunday's Pride Parade.
• An art reflection apropos to Pride
• Queer Faith: Books

With love,
Susan+

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Pride at Grace!

Join us this Sunday for worship, when the Rev. Lydia Gajdel will be our preacher. Or, join in the Pride Parade! Members of Grace will again be joining local Episcopal congregations to march in the Minneapolis pride parade. Bring your walking shoes and be ready to wave, hand out fans, and have a good time! The parade begins at 11AM on June 28th. Let Megan know you would like to join to get the details: megfetterman@gmail.com

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Through Him, All Things
by Lauren Wright Pittman, Block print with oil-based ink over gouache painting

As I created this piece, I thought about a prism. I remember the first time I used this seemingly magical, transparent stone. I held it to the light, which I could not see, and to my surprise the light was broken down into the vibrant colors of a rainbow. It was natural for me to think the stone was creating something that wasn’t there, but this medium revealed the complex truth that light is in fact made up of all the colors in existence.

In my image, Jesus is a prism. The light that is life that comes from the Creator shines through Jesus, and it is through him that we can see the fullness and beauty of who God is. It is through him that all of Creation came into being. I decided to paint the colors of the rainbow in the order I learned as a child: ROYGBIV. It was when picking paints that I realized there are seven colors in a simplified rainbow, and there are also seven days of Creation. In this block carving, each of the days of Creation is referenced through simplified patterning in each of the colors of the rainbow. It is through Christ that all things came to being, and it is through him that we experience the abounding saturation of God, who chose to dwell among us.

Like light through a prism, the glory of God refracts through the multifaceted life of each and every human being, creating a picture of the divine that is as varied and beautiful as there are colors in existence. In this image, the rainbow also echoes the full spectrum of humanity and celebrates the image of God that is present—not only in every human, but in every facet of Creation. —The Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, A Sanctified Art

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Queer Faith: Books for Pride

Proclaim! Sharing Words, Living Examples, Changing Lives, by the Rev. Marcus Halley
An exploration of the Episcopal liturgy from a Black, queer, millennial perspective with an eye toward proclamation and justice. Find it here.

Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging, by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez
A gay Christian's behind-the-scenes account of evangelical megachurches and eight years in conversion therapy before finding wholeness and authenticity. Find it here.

In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture, by Shannon T. L. Kearns
Moving the conversation beyond transgender inclusion to demonstrate the unique and vital theological insights transgender Christians can provide the church. Find it here.

Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith, by Mihee Kim-Kort
Mihee Kim-Kort is a wife, a mom, and a Presbyterian minister. And she's queer. As she became aware of her queer sexuality, Mihee wondered what that meant for her spirituality. But instead of pushing her away from God, her queerness has brought her closer to Jesus and taught her how to love better. Find it here.

Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, by Austen Hartke.
Transforming deftly weaves ancient and modern stories that will change the way readers think about gender, the Bible, and the faith to which Jesus calls us. Hartke helps readers visualize a more inclusive Christianity, equipping them with the language, understanding, confidence, and tools to change both the church and the world. Find it here.

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Rev Susan, Pride Month, Justice

Friends,

On Sunday, I preached about the 'lost sheep' Jesus spoke about as he commissioned the twelve disciples. Jesus drew on imagery from the Hebrew bible that spoke of sheep who had been exploited and abandoned by their shepherds. When our political leaders leave us feeling harassed and helpless, we, like the twelve disciples, can join in Jesus' work of feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and welcoming the stranger. You can listen here.

Here's what else you'll find below:
A video reflection shared by Marion Larson

With love,
Susan+

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The Trouble with Church
From Marion Larson

Peter Enns, theologian and scholar of the Hebrew Scriptures, is a former evangelical whose spiritual journey has brought him to the Episcopal Church. I follow him on Substack, where he often posts short videos about various issues related to questions and struggles that many Christians face. The experiences with church that he discusses in this video are ones that I definitely can relate to—both from my own evangelical past and my experiences at Grace. —Marion

[ Watch the 6-minute post. ]

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Rev Susan, sheep, shepherd, Peter Enns

Friends,

On Sunday, I preached about how the book of Genesis treats Sarai, how Jesus treated the people who interrupted him, and how followers of Jesus' way of love are called to live with mercy. Listen here.

With love,
Susan+

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Rev Susan, Mercy, interruptions

[ In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and broken, many of us feel helpless and afraid. We may question what we can do to make a difference. To build collective courage, in this space we will share examples of how individual members of GEC are practicing the way of Jesus, in private action or in the public arena. How might you find inspiration and hope in the small steps others are taking? ]

We are living in an era where there are efforts to take voting rights away from citizens. This is an issue of social justice.

It's never too early to prepare to exercise your right to vote! Can you believe the November elections are now just under 5 months away? The iwllvote.com website gives information on a) checking the status of your ballot b) checking to find out if you are registered to vote c) registering to vote d) voting by mail e) voting while living abroad and f) other general information about voting.

The best time to prepare to vote was yesterday. The second best time is today!

Check out the website: iwillvote.com

You can also call the Minnesota voter hotline at 1 (833) 335-8683.

Put your faith into action and VOTE!!

-submitted by Joe L.

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Tags: Faith in action, Voting

Friends,

Dave Larson's sermon on Trinity Sunday invited us into the Trinity via toddler speech development, grapes, and witnessing and responding in relationship. I commend it to you!

With love,
Susan+





Mayday puppet show brings a defiant call for healing post-surge

If you, like me, didn't make it to the Mayday parade, don't miss this video recapping the puppet show that day. (Thanks to Amy Chatelaine for this tip.)





Suscipe, St. Ignatius of Loyola

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.


Learn more about the Suscipe here.


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Tags: trinity, Liberty