01/17/2018
The Divine Spark represents a collection of stories from LGBTQ parishoners and others who answered the question: What would I say to someone of any age, but especially to a young person who is gender non-conforming, or to a young person who is starting to notice their own same-gender attraction, upon hearing the comments:
It is against God's will to be gay.
You can pray the gay away.
Men should not wear women's clothing
You are a girl. Stop changing who God made you to be.
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
God hates f**s.
Messiah Lutheran council president Keith Holm wrote the first story. He said to me, "Just to let you know, this is a huge step for me even after all these years."
As the articles came in, I could feel their life-giving and lifesaving nature. I offer deep gratitude to each writer for their willingness to share experiences of rejection, non-acceptance, judgment, and isolation. Thank you.
Providing the LGBTQ community and straight people a resource to help us promote equality serves as the principal reason for this book. Readers might also wonder what lies behind the struggle and what can people do about it. Rev. Nate Aaseng explains the error of using the Bible to deliver such wrongful pain to LGBTQ people. Rev. Dale Chesley reflects upon his spiritual growth beginning with his first days of seminary when he could not understand how women could serve as pastors because the Bible forbade it. Dale's chapter lends insight and empathy for those who learn one concept, then eventually realize another, more compassionate view exists.
In the chapter, The Next Step, Executive Director of ReconcilingWorks Aubrey Thonvold has enumerated ways for us to work together to increase instances of acceptance, hope, and joy for gay, le***an, bi-sexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, as well as those who are questioning. ReconcilingWorks, a nonprofit organization, recognizes that racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, and all other artificial distinctions seeking to advance one group's privileges and preferences over another, conspire to diminish our world and church.
The last chapter contains a concise description of my sabbatical project, "Forming Life-Long Faith in a Loving God." Messiah Lutheran and First Lutheran churches will send me on a sabbatical in 2018, funded by the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program. This book comprises an integral part of the sabbatical.
Artist G. Scott Hanson designed the cover art. When asked how he came up with the image, he replied, "People are created with so much in common, yet at the same time, we are each unique." His art inspired the book's title. While reading the stories, I got the sense people are pleading,
Please see the love and light in me.
Please love and accept me.
God made me just as much as God made you.
Truly a divine spark lives in all of us. Let us grow in our ability to see and celebrate the Creator's work.
Love and prayers,
Rev. Nancy Hanson
Nancy Hanson serves as the pastor for Messiah Lutheran church in Washburn, Wisconsin and First Lutheran Church in Port Wing, Wisconsin
