Here I stand. I stand as a Black woman pastor in the ELCA. Although my journey hasn’t been easy, it’s been full of naming, claiming and owning my space as I find and establish my identity. Lutheran pastors are more than White males with families – but anyone with a fire, desire and call to proclaim the Word. The church is a beautiful tapestry made of different hues, sizes and shapes. There is a need for a plethora of voices because the sacred text had Miriam, the first woman Prophetess, Queen Esther, the liberator, and Phoebe a deaconess. The church needs you to proclaim, to lead, nurture and to embrace change.
You are vital.
We stand hand in hand and there is power in comradery and support. For we are never alone because there is always a woman paving the way and propping us up when we feel as though we are not worthy or needed.
You are perfectly imperfect, so don’t have anyone tell you you’re not. You are beautiful, resilient, graceful and heard.
This message is excerpted from “Here, I stand” by Ralen M. Robinson in the February 2023 Café online magazine.
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