Naming Rite for Asher, a lovely transgendered member of HFASS

My apologies for taking so long to post this, but here is the rite we used at Baptism of our Lord Sunday when a transgendered member of House for All Sinners and Saints was undergoing a name change.  This is largely taken from a rite shared with me by Episcopal priest, Michele Morgan

One really lovely thing about this day was that Asher made a little shrine to his previously female self, Mary.  It included the whole name lovingly written out, several photos and a candle. 

 

(Prayers of the People)

 

Presider:

Holy One of Blessing, in baptism you bring us to new life in

Jesus Christ and you name us Beloved. We give you thanks for the renewal

of that life and love in Mary Christine Callahan, who now takes on a new name.

Strengthen and uphold him as he grows in power, and authority, and

meaning of this name: we pray in the Name above names, Jesus, your Son,

whom with you and the Holy Spirit, the Triune God, we adore. Amen

 

(Lindsey) A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.

 

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no

longer male and female; for all are one in Christ Jesus

 

The word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

 

(Laying on of hands)

Let us pray:

We pray for your servant Asher, with thanks for the journey and awakening that

have brought him to this moment, for his place amongst your

people, and for his gifts and calling to serve you.

 

O God, in renaming your servants Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Peter,

and Paul, you gave them new lives and new tasks, new love and new hope.

We now hold before you our companion. Bless him with a new measure

of grace as he takes this new name. Write him again in your

heart and on your palm. And grant that we all be worthy to call ourselves

Christians, for the sake of your Christ whose name is Love, and in whom,

with you and the Spirit, we pray. Amen

 

The Giving of the name

 

Pr. Nadia: By what name shall you be known? 

Kate: The name shall be Asher  

Asher:  My name is Asher

 

The community may respond by repeating

Your name shall be Asher

 

Pr. Nadia: Bear this name in the Name of Christ. Share it in the name of Mercy. Offer it

in the name of Justice.

 

Christ is among us making peace right here right now.  The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.  

 

Comments

[kls]

"Pr. Nadia: Bear this name in the Name of Christ. Share it in the name of Mercy. Offer it in the name of Justice." - tears in my eyes.

[Lucas]

Love it! My son's name is Asher and my best friend from seminary is a transwoman. This was very meaningful to read. In the struggle for rights and justice for LGBTQ people it seems like we're so often forced to spend lots of energy combatting and overcoming the negative. This is such a beautiful example of fighting the struggle through affirmation and positive moments. Thanks again for sharing this.

[serena]

This is so lovely. I hope people with transgendered friends will be able to use it to affirm their God-given identities.

[Gordon]

Beautiful! God bless you Asher!

[Rachel]

Thanks for posting it. It is beautiful.

[Jennifer]

lovely. very meaningful. simple and deep.

[Hugh]

That is beautiful. A tender loving response from part of the Body of Christ in stark contrast to the usual knee-jerk reaction that most of it gives.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

[Marsha Gibbons]

I'm sorry, this is not about your post. I was given a copy of your book, Salvation on the Small Screen, by a member of my church who attended the conference in Dallas. I cannot put this book down. I need to go to work but can't stop reading and laughing. I know there are many serious issues to be explored and I applaud your doing so. But I have tears I am laughing so hard. It feels really good to laugh till you cry.

[Jessica]

Wow-- that made me cry. What a wonderful way for the community to embrace a person's transition and make them feel welcome and understood.