St. Thomas’ proudly celebrates Campus Pride Month alongside Rowan University all April long! Join us as we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and unity throughout the month with engaging formation hours, notable LGBTQ+ spotlights, The Shop supply drive and more!
April’s formation hour will focus on LGBTQ+ families and challenge us to find more ways to ensure our sacred space is welcoming to everyone. All in God’s Family is a program created by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and promoted by the Institute for Welcoming Resources. Each week, we will be exploring this program in a variety of ways – join us!
Week 2 (14 April): View a documentary and discuss.
Week 3 (21 April): Scripture Study & Engagement
Week 4 (28 April): Collaborative Workshop
Join the ECW for our church-wide spring book drive to benefit BookSmiles, a local non-profit that provides books to under-resourced school districts throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia. We will be collecting new and gently used children’s books from April 14 through June 2. Whether fiction or nonfiction, we are looking to collect books from ages infant to high school. If you would like to donate books starting on April 14, please put them in the collection bin in the Parish Hall. If you would like to make a monetary donation for the book drive, please see either Rachael O. or Linda K. or leave a donation in a labelled envelope in the collection plate. To learn more about the type and quality of materials BookSmiles accept, please watch the following video. If you have any questions about the book drive, please see Rachael O.
Wilgefortis
Saint Wilgefortis, also known as Saint Uncumber or Kümmernis, is a legendary figure in Christian writings whose story has roots in medieval Europe. According to the legend, Wilgefortis was a young woman who wished to remain celibate and dedicated to her faith. When her father arranged a marriage for her, she prayed to be delivered from the unwanted union. As a result, she miraculously grew a beard, deterring her suitor and ultimately leading to her martyrdom.
Wilgefortis’ story is considered an example of queer history in religion due to her ambiguous gender presentation and the challenges she faced in conforming to societal norms. Her portrayal as a bearded woman has been seen as a symbol of resistance against traditional gender roles and expectations. Furthermore, her legend has resonated with LGBTQ individuals and scholars who see in her story a reflection of the struggles and resilience of those who transgress societal norms regarding gender and sexuality.
Sources:
https://artuk.org/discover/stories/saint-wilgefortis-a-bearded-woman-with-a-queer-history
Lectionary readings for this week: Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1-2:2, John 20:19-31, Psalm 133
Lectionary readings for next week: Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48, Psalm 4
Please continue in your daily prayers for: Lou, Bob, Sandy, Joe, Jackie, Chrissy, Harry, Cheryll, Cecilia, Donna, Bud, Andrea
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Throughout her life, Sylvia Rivera tirelessly advocated for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. As a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance, she played a crucial role in the Stonewall uprising of 1969, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights. Her activism extended beyond Stonewall, as she continued to fight for the inclusion and recognition of transgender people within the broader LGBTQ movement. Rivera’s Christian background deeply influenced her activism and advocacy work. Despite facing rejection and discrimination from some religious institutions, she remained steadfast in her faith and saw her identity as both a transgender woman and a Christian as integral parts of her identity. Her belief in the fundamental principles of love, compassion, and social justice guided her activism and inspired countless others to join the fight for equality. Throughout her life, Rivera faced numerous challenges, including homelessness, poverty, and discrimination. Despite these obstacles, she remained dedicated to her activism until her passing in 2002. Today, Sylvia Rivera’s legacy lives on as a beacon of hope and resilience for the LGBTQ community and beyond. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equality continues to inspire individuals and movements worldwide, reminding us all of the power of courage, perseverance, and faith in the pursuit of a more just and inclusive world.