Transgender Day of Remembrance - Thanksgiving for Baptism

Reign of Christ | Transgender Day of RemembranceTwenty-seventh Sunday after PentecostTexts: Jeremiah 23:1-6 | Luke 1:68-79 | Colossians 1:11-20 | Luke 23:33-43 On Sunday, November 20th, we gathered in worship for Reign of Christ - the last Sunday of the church year - and for Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to remember lives lost to transphobia and violence.Our worship began as it often does with a Thanksgiving for Baptism - a ritual reminding us that God claims us as beloved members of God's family, regardless of our achievements or failings. Today the ritual was adapted to pay particular attention to our names. This was an opportunity for each of us, in the presence of this community of faith, to claim the name by which we are called, and to remember the name that God calls us all: "Beloved child."Click here to read today's sermon on transitions, co-preached by Pastoral Intern Erin Coleman Branchaud and Reed Fowler.THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISMBlessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,the fountain of living water,the rock who gave us birth,our light and our salvation.Amen.A reading from First John.See what love the Father/Mother has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know God. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. (1 John 3:1-2a)Our baptism is intimately linked to our names. In some traditions, babies are not given a first name until the moment of their baptism. In others, adults are renamed in baptism – or when they affirm their baptism in confirmation - and begin using a new name from that day on.In baptism, we may be called by the name that our parents gave to us, or by a name we have chosen for ourselves. Whatever we are called, we are marked with the cross of Christ and renamed “child of God.” Before God, our primary identity is as beloved members of God’s family.Today on Transgender Day of Remembrance we pay particular attention to what we call one another. Some of us are called by a shortened version of the name given to us by our parents, by nicknames, or by our middle names. Others of us are called by names that we have chosen for ourselves that reflect who we are and who we are becoming.We also pay particular attention to pronouns we use to talk about one another – pronouns that indicate our gender, like he and him, she and her, they and their, and other pronouns like this. Some of us are called by the pronouns that were designated to us since birth. Others of us are called by pronouns we have chosen for ourselves that reflect who we are and who we are becoming.In Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, we see that a person’s name might change as the person is transformed and embraces their true identity. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul - all to indicate a new person in relationship with their god. Today, we begin our Thanksgiving for Baptism by taking time to claim our own names and pronouns, a sign that God welcomes and embraces the fullness and complexity of who we are and who we are becoming.Each of you will receive a nametag. Please take a few moments to write on your nametag the name and the pronouns by which you are called. Then, take a few moments and turn to someone around you. Tell them a few sentences about your first name – where it comes from, what it means, or how you feel about it – and also listen to the story of their name.Ushers pass out nametags. People take five minutes to fill out their nametags and to speak to someone around them about their name.A reading from Second Corinthians.If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Cor 5:17)A reading from Galatians.As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:27-28)Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.The presiding minister pours water into the font.We give you thanks, O God,for in the beginning you called forth life from the waters of chaos.Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.At the river, Jacob wrestles with your messenger and receives a blessing,and you give him a new name.Through the sea you led your people Israel into new identity as a free people.At the Jordan your Beloved was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.By water and your Word you name us all as your beloved children,making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.Shower us with your Spirit,and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.To you be given honor and praisethrough Jesus Christ our Lordin the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.Amen.The service continues with gathering song. As a reminder of the gift of baptism, the assembly may be sprinkled with water during the singing.