**Thoughts from Our Bridge Pastor**

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau

Next week is unusually full for me. We have an Organ Dedication on Sunday, September 12. Joe Pratt generously donated his old organ to the church. Thank you, Joe! Also, that same day, Rev. Julie Stokstad will be bringing us the word on Wisdom. I’m looking forward to hearing her thoughts on wisdom from her perspective. I’ll be here leading worship.

I tagged that Sunday to be free from the joy of preaching because of the fullness that week holds for me. As you may, or may not, be aware, The Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer as their Bishop at their Synod Assembly in May. While Bp. Rohrer’s term in office began on July 1st, the installation is scheduled for Saturday, September 11.

Here’s the thing, Bp. Megan Rohrer is the first transgender Bishop, or head of any judicatory, in any major Christian denomination. (This is as significant as when The Rev. Gene Robinson was elected as the Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, back in 2004, as the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion.) Originally, Bp. Rohrer’s installation was to be held at a Lutheran church in Walnut Creek, but because of the amount of people who will be attending, the service was moved to Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I am told Grace Cathedral is the largest sanctuary in the area to be able to hold this event. The press and “everybody else” will be there. This installation is a big deal.

The day before Bp. Rohrer’s installation a “Listening Session” is scheduled to be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in San Francisco at 4 pm. Yours truly will be on a panel with about 5 others who are transgender and clergy serving Christ’s Church. At the moment, there are a handful of us. This event is open to the public. Folks can RSVP to attend in-person here.

A Listening Session implies there is someone listening. Hopefully the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and anyone else with ears to hear, as Jesus might say, is listening. Except for my three years serving a Lutheran congregation, my experience has largely been in the United Church of Christ. I have found, though, that my experiences “on the ground” are very similar, if not the same, as my Lutheran trans clergy colleagues.

Together, we will be sharing our stories of what it is like to be trans and clergy. We will share our struggles and joys, the walls we have encountered, the walls that have already come down, what needs to happen going forward, and how none of us take “no” for an answer. I am aware my ministry is significant as I courageously create space for myself, as well as those who are coming after me.

Like the Syrophoenician Woman might say, I too, along with everyone else, is “awesomely and wonderfully made” and how there is a place under the Sun for all of us.

Keep being your awesome selves,

Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau, Bridge Pastor