If you are transgender person of faith, whether Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical or other Christian, I understand how much you need your faith and religious heritage to lift you up, saving and supporting you again and again on your journey to understanding and becoming who you are meant to be. So far, you have perhaps had only your faith: God is strong and abiding, but the support of your religion as far as it understands transgenderism, is lacking.
You are the Beloved of God. God has made you and known you before your denomination ever did, and ever can.
For many of you, church or shul has not been able to provide welcome, tolerance or acceptance, let alone inclusion and celebration. Not yet.
Imagine your “naming ceremony” in your congregation, with your pastor’s blessing and leadership
Many religious denominations are doing this now! If your congregation is already an inclusive one, you and I can work with your pastor to create yours. If not, I can help you find churches and shuls that know they not only welcome you, but need you and the gifts you bring to help unfold Revelation for today. (See Resources)
You have kept your end of the covenant. You trust God is keeping God’s end. I know you have prayed since childhood to wake up a girl (or a boy), and that it seemed God didn’t answer you.
Is God answering you now?
Discerning God’s dream for your life is easier if you listen and open your eyes to the everyday signs of God’s presence. Spiritual mentoring can help you practice this contemplative prayerful listening and attentiveness. Pastoral therapy can help you distinguish psychological issues from spiritual ones, while respecting how mind and spirit work together for the good. Together we can treat the former so you can focus on the latter.
As a trained spiritual mentor, I can help you cultivate receptive stillness, pray with and for you, and help you learn how to discern God’s leading. As a trained pastoral therapist, I can help you with bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, and of course, gender transition as you feel ready.
Since 1994 I have worked with over 500 transsexual adults and older teens, assessing and facilitating their medical, social and psychological transition according to the carefully devised Standards of Care of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH). To assess and improve their spiritual health, I am a member of Spiritual Directors International, an interfaith body with ethical guidelines for mentoring people of faith. See my blog article called Living in the Image of God: Transgender People in Spiritual Direction.