The Nest at Celebration Church ELCA

03/19/2022

https://baptistnews.com/article/after-30-years-the-nrsv-gets-an-update-heres-what-that-means/?fbclid=IwAR16dgorSsMBS-HpsP0gECysU4_y7RwNVe4JSobQVWlOJ8F95O9A-TDE3yY #.YjYfUhZq3YV

In a nation where the 1611 King James Version of the Bible still holds tremendous sway, imagine the challenges of updating one of the modern English translations of the Good Book. That’s why Friendship Press, the National Council of Churches and the Society for Biblical Literature assembled a t

03/09/2022

(RNS) — Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing to classify medical treatments for transgender adolescents as child abuse.

02/26/2022

https://bishopmike.com/2022/02/25/supporting-trans-people-in-texas/?fbclid=IwAR0U89wgPy5V6C-T_tYZp7NIUVQcDGGdcE_KsgAhWJ6jz2Bvf--6rX0QFKw

“In light of this week’s statement by the Texas Governor, it is important that the church is clear in its support of the parents of trans kids, and trans people in general. To parents and to …

02/26/2022

Transgender siblings, you are wonderfully made and bear in you the image of God!

Celebration is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation. This means we welcome, affirm, and celebrate people and households of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in every part of our life as church together. We strive to create a safe and supportive community for all, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and households, to question, seek God, rejoice, and recover together.

If you are a parent or adult family member of a LGBTQIA+ child or young adult, these are difficult days to journey alone. The Nest meets at 7p on the last Tuesday each month for parents and adult family members to find support and information. You can find out more about The Nest on Celebration's website or on The Nest page. https://www.click2celebrate.com/connect/pages/the-nest
https://www.facebook.com/TheNestatCelebrationChurch/

02/25/2022

I can't help but think that, as the church celebrates TRANSfiguration Sunday, we ought to be more open to TRANS-figures in our world.

In the name of a God who TRANScends time, space, materiality and gender, who TRANSforms our hearts of stone, who TRANSfigures their own face to reveal the glory of God... Let me unequivocally denounce this new Texas directive against TRANS youth and families.

Trans people are beloved by God.
Trans people are made in God's transformational image.
Trans people are expressions of divine creation and creativity.
Trans people are holy.
Trans people are our siblings and sisters and brothers.
Trans people are our neighbors.
Trans people are beloved.

02/24/2022

Helpful information for parents of trans kids on how to create a ‘Safe Folder’.

The Nest is a Christian open and affirming support program for adult family members of LGBTQ+ persons.

http://imatyfa.org/phone/safe-folder.html

02/01/2022

Dignity is a right that should be afforded to everyone, regardless of their housing status, and that includes feeling clean, confident, and beautiful. So it's only right that we kick off our annual Black Hair Care Drive today!

As the majority of our youth are Black, we feel the items we provide should reflect--and offer help for--needs that are unique to their experiences. Most stores with beauty departments have sections specifically for black hair care products. They can be labeled “ethnic”, “for textured hair”, or “for natural hair types”. Any products and brands in these sections are ideal. Some common and more affordable brands are Cantu, Pantene Pro-V Natural Hair, Africa’s Best, Palmers, and Creme of Nature. We are also asking for donations of accessories like brushes, combs, bobby pins, du-rags, satin scarves, scrunchies, hair bands, etc.

If you're wondering how you can support there are several options.
- You can purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist at https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/39BJNXB19H0LG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_5ZjtCbRPSFQNX, which will be automatically shipped to us.
- Bring donations directly to our address at Kindred Church, 2515 Waugh Dr., Monday & Thursday 4 PM - 6 PM or Saturday 2/19 from 10 AM - 12 PM
- You could even make a monetary donation on our website at https://www.montrosegraceplace.org/.

12/26/2021

Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights, has died at 90.

He was a giant in the fight for equality and justice.

He always led with hope, truth and courage.

May he rest in peace

May we continue his quest by doing our bit of good wherever we are today and in the days to come.

12/01/2021

Names are important. In our family, so are Christmas ornaments. When Rebekah transitioned 6 years ago, we boxed up all the ornaments with her birth name on it along with her stocking. There were a lot of beautiful memories in those ornaments, but they were partnered with the reality of us not knowing the beautiful truth of our child's identity. So we made new memories. We bought a new stocking, and we've collected new ornaments.

This year, Rebekah remarked how much she still disliked decorating the tree for fear she'd stumble across something that reminded her of a time when she was pretending to be someone else. I dug through every Christmas bin I could find to make sure there was nothing I'd missed, and I did find one sweet little snowman she made in school that had her birth name on it. I took care of that, and then I made sure that every 'Rebekah' ornament could clearly be seen on the tree.

For a lot of families, the holidays are marked with personalized keepsakes - ornaments, stockings, crafts and gifts made at school. They hold lots of meaning, I know, but none are as important as the joyous and life-giving act of affirming your child and celebrating who they actually are instead of who you thought they would be.

Whether someone you love is transgender or not, people evolve. Families change. Don’t hold so tightly to your memories of what was that you miss the opportunity to make new ones now. Treat your family to new special decorations. Surprise your child with an ornament or gift that reflects who you know them to be right now (whether that's with a different name or different colors or an interest). Feeling seen and known is a powerful gift all by itself this holiday season.