Category: Faith

speaking out on concerns about restricting protests near places of worship

17/2/2025

My address to the rally next to Sydney Town Hall tonight, on behalf of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), protesting the proposed NSW legislation on restricting protests near places of worship...

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trans faith resisting Trump

24/1/2025

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Prior to Bishop Budde’s excellent sermon calling in on President Trump to practice the cardinal Christian virtue of mercy to the vulnerable, much work has been being done in Episcopalian circles to build solidarity for trans, immigrant and other groups now under attack in the USA. Here is a good recent article outlining some of these developments and wonderful key trans leaders - the kinds of work which could be done here and elsewhere before attacks come and to enable true flourishing. Among other things, I commend my fellow trans priest the Revd Carla Robinson’s work and words:

"it takes me back to my spiritual roots in the Black church (in the 1960s and 1970s). In those days, it was not unusual for someone to ask you in church, ‘How goes the struggle?’ It was asked in church because the church was actively engaged in the fight for civil rights and justice."
As Episcopalians,,“We’ve been called to something much different than ‘Nice.’ [A fighting church] acknowledges that there is a real struggle. …It acknowledges the reality of who is being hurt – how they are being hurt – and it calls upon the church to not be shy about facing those realities. … A fighting church acts and speaks from its place as followers of Jesus.”

May all those seeking to practise and nurture mercy gain strength at this time.

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letting go into rewirement

3/11/2024

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It was a huge, very emotional, and landmark day for me today! I announced at Pitt Street Uniting Church that, on Sunday 2 February 2025 (Candlemas in my native traditions), I will step down from full-time licensed ministry in the Church. It is a decision that I have thought and prayed about at great length over a long period and which I believe is both right and timely.

Over almost four years now, I have rejoiced to share ministry with Pitt Street Uniting Church and that has been extraordinarily rich and fruitful, as well as sometimes demanding. I am deeply thankful for this and to so many people. However, due to a combination of pressing family, health, and vocational issues, it is time for me to step back and allow space for new developments in my own and the church’s journeys.

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Original Bliss and queer ecological vision

1/9/2024

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It has been a delight to open this year's global ecumenical Season of Creation at Pitt Street Uniting Church with the exhibition Original Bliss (on show until 13 October) by Dr Rod Pattenden, renowned artist and UCA MInister. The works celebrate the vibrancy of nature and the ecstasy of being alive, offering queer perspectives on faith as a place inhabited by diverse bodies that change during the shifting seasons of life.
As Rod Pattenden says: “These works disrupt the role of religion in defining boundaries, They open up more fluid and sensual experiences that celebrate the embodied nature of being human.” The exhibition thus brings together issues close to the hearts of Pitt Street Uniting Church – the environment, LGBT+ gifts and the interface of sexuality and spirituality. - and The vibrancy of the work beautifully complements the architecture and wooden fittings of the heritage building. It has thus be good to be able to offer this unique and powerful exhibition to the city of Sydney. For more information go here

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on trans-formative and expansive spirituality

31/3/2024

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It was a great delight to talk with Will Small, from the creative Spiritual Misfits community, about trans-forming and expansive approaches to faith and spirituality, the ethos and work of Pitt St UC, and how we with others might work better together intersectionally for greater love, justice, and healing for all
- and looking forward to more conversations and networking going forward
Do check out some of the other Spiritual Misfits podcasts too!

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Alleluia for NSW anti-conversion therapy legislation!

22/3/2024

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Wonderful to meet up with some of the heroes of the conversion therapy and orientation change struggle last night before the historic passing of NSW legislation. With the particular hard work of Warren Talbot, Pitt Street Uniting Church was able to support the final stages of campaigning by organising a public letter, signed by 36 Uniting Church clergy, to the Premier and members of the NSW Parliament. At last, we have legislation in NSW, which may even be improved in practice over time, to help stop the scandalous spiritual abuse of so many people’s lives (and queer as a whole, despite the lazy headline!). Thankyou to everyone who has fought so long and hard for this - I know how costly it has been for so many. Now, as on child abuse, may religious bodies as a whole start actively cooperate and return to paths of owning deep truths, nurturing healing, and enriching all our lives.

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climbing out from under the bus

25/2/2024

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Last year had some amazing highs, but I had some trying health and other struggles at times, and it is always hard to write in a vital congregational placement (especially with the demands of my pioneering ministry) so I'm very grateful for the encouragement and patience of Elenie Poulos and Kate Gleeson (co-editors) in enabling me to contribute an article to a small collection of essays on 'Religion and Politics after marriage equality: contemporary challenges in religious freedom'. My essay (which can be accessed here) built out of the tough experience of some of us, focuses on the marginalisation of transgender people and queer people of faith in queer activism and mainstream Australian churches during and after the Australian marriage-equality plebiscite. I entitled it: 'Climbing out from being thrown under the bus: queer faith futures in a transphobic political world'.

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celebrating queer faith in Sydney

13/2/2024

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Giving thanks for a great night of Pancake Pride 2024 - with such a wonderful gathering, terrific input and ecumenical teamwork...

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Faithfully Me

19/11/2023

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Thanks to ABBI (in this Trans Awareness Week) for featuring the 25 minute documentary Faithfully Me - now available (after being on ABC licence) here online and for educational use etc. Among other things, it is wonderful to be reminded of the fabulous support I had in coming out from so many Anglicans in southern Queensland - not least my amazing colleagues at St Francis College and in Milton parish, the terrific Dean and community of St John’s Cathedral Brisbane, and our border collie!

A brief synopsis:
‘Coming out as transgender in a Christian environment from two different sides of the pulpit has its challenges. Faithfully Me is a 25 minute documentary that follows the Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin, Australia’s first openly transgender ordained priest, and Rhett Pearson, a transgender man, as they embark on their own individual quests to reconcile their true identities and their faith. Meeting the significant people in their lives gives further richness to their stories.’

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a conversation on The Latest

2/4/2023

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It was good to share recently on The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy - a podcast that brings the health and wellbeing hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people:

Our conversation explored the intersection between faith and LGBTQ+ community, the changes happening within the church, overcoming barriers as a trans woman, and my 30 year relationship with wife Penny.'

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:16 — 34.7MB)
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<<Previous

speaking out on concerns about restricting protests near places of worship

trans faith resisting Trump

letting go into rewirement

Original Bliss and queer ecological vision

on trans-formative and expansive spirituality

Alleluia for NSW anti-conversion therapy legislation!

climbing out from under the bus

celebrating queer faith in Sydney

Faithfully Me

a conversation on The Latest

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