In the heart of Dickson, Tennessee, a quiet revolution has been unfolding within the walls of First Presbyterian Church. What began as a bold commitment to radical inclusivity has blossomed into a vibrant revitalization, breathing new life into this congregation and ushering in a new era of growth. At the core of this transformation has been the church's embrace of the local LGBTQIA+ community, a mission that has not only helped redefine this congregation’s identity, but has also become a beacon of hope and acceptance in a world often fractured by division.
More
“Everywhere I turned, I heard the same words: ‘You have to forgive.’” wrote trauma survivor and author Nancy Richards. “They came from my family, my counselors, and the religious community alike. I saw myself as a complete and utter failure. As though my self-esteem wasn’t low enough from years of abuse, try as I might, I couldn’t even get forgiving right!” Have you ever been unable to forgive someone, no matter how hard you tried? It’s easy to feel like something is wrong with you. But the truth is, you may be experiencing shame. As a trauma psychotherapist and author of the book You Don’t Need to Forgive,
More
Job is part of our Wisdom literature and is a story that like most wisdom literature is meant to trouble our assumptions and raise more questions than answers. Job’s story serves as one the most beautiful and heart wrenching pieces of sacred writing in our tradition, giving us permission to truly wrestle with our human experiences of suffering, loss, feelings of persecution, and pain. As a true Gen X queer emo kid, I love it. Let’s dig into Chapter 2. It begins like this: One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and the accuser also
More
Unbound Social