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.
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“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,
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“Cry, baby, cry. Cry out to God for [They] will hear you.” These are the words that were offered to me by a co-worker the morning after I came out. Distraught and confused, wishing that I could cease to be, my then high school self felt worn down by all that had befallen me in the previous twelve hours. How could this be? Why does it have to be this way? What could I do to make this all better? These were the questions that played on repeat in my mind as I sought to make sense of how my
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