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| WELS Pastor Adam Mueller, Church and Change leader, led his church council members in a transgender family picnic, publishing photos for everyone to copy. He was recently honored as a speaker at a national WELS conference. |
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| Bishop-Elect Rohrer's LinkedIn Page |
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Lutherans install
A transgender person who runs a ministry for the homeless was installed last weekend as the spiritual leader at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of San Francisco, making them the first trans leader of a Lutheran congregation.
The February 22 service for the Reverend Megan Rohrer at the Sunset district chapel was well-attended.
Congregants joyfully took part in the service, which included praise songs set to the music of the Beatles. Dubbed Beatles Mass, the lyrics were written by Rohrer, sung to the beat of well-known tunes like "Across the Universe" and "Let it Be." The congregation sang "The Meal" to the tune of "Hey Jude," in preparation for receiving communion. As the congregation sang and clapped, Rohrer held up the bread and wine for all to see.
"The worship that we used at the installation was created for an evening worship at St. Aidan's Episcopal," Rohrer, 33, explained. "In hope of attracting young people and those new to the church, I created a Lady Gaga Mass. The service gained a lot of attention, and I was able to share it at congregations around the country. Many of the young people knew the tunes, but the older generation had a difficult time. I created the Beatles Mass because the tunes were recognized by both older and younger members and participants often leave the service feeling uplifted."
The reverend, who prefers the pronoun they, has been opening doors for years. In 2006, Rohrer was the first transgender pastor to be ordained by the Lutheran church.
In addition to their duties at Grace Lutheran, Rohrer is involved in transgender spiritual outreach.
"I meet annually with a group of about 150 transgender pastors and faith leaders from diverse faiths at a retreat hosted by the Center of Lesbian and Gay Studies in Berkeley," Rohrer said. "We talk about how we can support and learn from each other, and the best practices for sharing our stories, advocating for trans individuals and our own employment needs. There may be many more than that, but some people choose not to be open about their transgender status after they transition. This is why I use the word openly transgender in my identification."
Transgender pastors, Rohrer said, serve a very special need.
"Many transgender pastors and faith leaders work in specialized ministry to support vulnerable populations," Rohrer said. "When it comes to faithfully serving LGBT individuals or the homeless, being transgender is often an asset. Very few openly transgender pastors are able to find work leading a congregation. I believe this will change as society becomes more welcoming and understanding of transgender issues."
Part of Rohrer's work at Grace Lutheran will be to continue opening doors.
"We take the name Grace seriously, so we will be doing outreach to people of all shapes and sizes," Rohrer said. "The congregation is enthusiastic about welcoming everyone, particularly those who have been lied to and told they are not good enough to be part of a faith community. We even want people who feel uncomfortable stepping into a church to join us for our weekly worship and "Bible Study That Doesn't Suck" livestreams."
Beyond work at Grace, Rohrer is involved with Night Ministry.
"This is a group of pastors who provide a presence on the streets of San Francisco from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.," Rohrer said. "The Night Ministry also operates a crisis line. The ministry is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and was founded by a group of Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist pastors who were working with homeless youth in the Tenderloin."
Rohrer added that the Night Ministry visits LGBT bars throughout the city and provides care and support to the drag court system.
Rohrer is happy to be a part of history.
"I am honored to be Grace's pastor and to be part of this historic new opportunity for transgender pastors," Rohrer said. "For over a decade I have been advocating and working toward a time when LGBT individuals would be welcome in the pews and behind the pulpits. Despite all my prayers, I never expected to see this kind of change within my lifetime."
News Briefs: Trans person to
Earlier that day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Welcome Ministry will be hosting a health and vision event at St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church Street. SF CARES will provide free glasses for those who need them. Rohrer said the event will be "like a mini LGBTQ Connect." Folks from Project Homeless Connect will help people sign up for cellphone service, a doctor will provide flu shots, and physical therapists will be on hand for free consultations.
As for Rohrer's installation, she said that she would be the first openly transgender pastor of a congregation in the Lutheran church.
On Sunday, February 23, Rohrer will be recognized with an honorable mention as an unsung hero of compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who will be in San Francisco for the event, being held by Wisdom in Action, a Bay Area nonprofit.
In the News: Bay Area Reporter
Lutherans install
first trans pastor
NEWS
Published 02/27/2014
by David-Elijah Nahmod
 |
Britney Wheat, left, holds a booklet as pastor Susan Strouse of First United Lutheran Church, right, installs the Reverend Megan Rohrer, center, as pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.
(Photo: Jane Philomen Cleland) |
The February 22 service for the Reverend Megan Rohrer at the Sunset district chapel was well-attended.
Congregants joyfully took part in the service, which included praise songs set to the music of the Beatles. Dubbed Beatles Mass, the lyrics were written by Rohrer, sung to the beat of well-known tunes like "Across the Universe" and "Let it Be." The congregation sang "The Meal" to the tune of "Hey Jude," in preparation for receiving communion. As the congregation sang and clapped, Rohrer held up the bread and wine for all to see.
"The worship that we used at the installation was created for an evening worship at St. Aidan's Episcopal," Rohrer, 33, explained. "In hope of attracting young people and those new to the church, I created a Lady Gaga Mass. The service gained a lot of attention, and I was able to share it at congregations around the country. Many of the young people knew the tunes, but the older generation had a difficult time. I created the Beatles Mass because the tunes were recognized by both older and younger members and participants often leave the service feeling uplifted."
The reverend, who prefers the pronoun they, has been opening doors for years. In 2006, Rohrer was the first transgender pastor to be ordained by the Lutheran church.
 |
| Meghan will replace the bishop who became president of United (sic) Lutheran Seminary. |
In addition to their duties at Grace Lutheran, Rohrer is involved in transgender spiritual outreach.
"I meet annually with a group of about 150 transgender pastors and faith leaders from diverse faiths at a retreat hosted by the Center of Lesbian and Gay Studies in Berkeley," Rohrer said. "We talk about how we can support and learn from each other, and the best practices for sharing our stories, advocating for trans individuals and our own employment needs. There may be many more than that, but some people choose not to be open about their transgender status after they transition. This is why I use the word openly transgender in my identification."
Transgender pastors, Rohrer said, serve a very special need.
"Many transgender pastors and faith leaders work in specialized ministry to support vulnerable populations," Rohrer said. "When it comes to faithfully serving LGBT individuals or the homeless, being transgender is often an asset. Very few openly transgender pastors are able to find work leading a congregation. I believe this will change as society becomes more welcoming and understanding of transgender issues."
Part of Rohrer's work at Grace Lutheran will be to continue opening doors.
"We take the name Grace seriously, so we will be doing outreach to people of all shapes and sizes," Rohrer said. "The congregation is enthusiastic about welcoming everyone, particularly those who have been lied to and told they are not good enough to be part of a faith community. We even want people who feel uncomfortable stepping into a church to join us for our weekly worship and "Bible Study That Doesn't Suck" livestreams."
Beyond work at Grace, Rohrer is involved with Night Ministry.
"This is a group of pastors who provide a presence on the streets of San Francisco from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.," Rohrer said. "The Night Ministry also operates a crisis line. The ministry is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and was founded by a group of Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist pastors who were working with homeless youth in the Tenderloin."
Rohrer added that the Night Ministry visits LGBT bars throughout the city and provides care and support to the drag court system.
Rohrer is happy to be a part of history.
"I am honored to be Grace's pastor and to be part of this historic new opportunity for transgender pastors," Rohrer said. "For over a decade I have been advocating and working toward a time when LGBT individuals would be welcome in the pews and behind the pulpits. Despite all my prayers, I never expected to see this kind of change within my lifetime."
For more information on Grace Lutheran, visit www.gracesf.com. For Rohrer's website, visit http://revrohrer.blogspot.com.
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| These WELS MLC college students thought "Party in the Fire Island Pines" was so special, they copied it. A local paper covered the story - and the lies. |
Thursday, February 20, 2014
In the News: Bay Area Reporter
News Briefs: Trans person to
pastor Lutheran church
NEWS
Published 02/20/2014
compiled by Cynthia Laird
 |
Megan Rohrer, a transgender person who has been running Welcome Ministry, a group that helps homeless people in San Francisco, will be installed as the pastor at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3201 Ulloa Street (at 33rd) during a service Saturday, February 22 at 7 p.m.
Earlier that day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Welcome Ministry will be hosting a health and vision event at St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church Street. SF CARES will provide free glasses for those who need them. Rohrer said the event will be "like a mini LGBTQ Connect." Folks from Project Homeless Connect will help people sign up for cellphone service, a doctor will provide flu shots, and physical therapists will be on hand for free consultations.
As for Rohrer's installation, she said that she would be the first openly transgender pastor of a congregation in the Lutheran church.
On Sunday, February 23, Rohrer will be recognized with an honorable mention as an unsung hero of compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who will be in San Francisco for the event, being held by Wisdom in Action, a Bay Area nonprofit.
 |
| Start them early at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (prep school, WELS). Make up, cheer-leader skirts, the whole package. |
Previously on LinkedIn - Meghan Rohrer's Work Experience
Assistant Night Minister
Night Ministry
San Francisco, CAThe San Francisco Night Ministry provides middle-of-the-night compassionate non-judgmental pastoral care, counseling, referral and crisis intervention to anyone in any kind of distress. Through our Crisis Telephone Line staffed by trained volunteer Crisis Line Counselors; and through person-to-person encounters with ordained clergy on the streets, this ministry is available every night of the year from 10:00 pm - 4:00 am.
Contributing Blogger
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Welcome to LivingLutheran.com
Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join us at the table for a conversation about what it means to “live Lutheran.”
LivingLutheran.com serves up a daily blend of culture, conversation and community for ELCA members and friends. We’re looking for answers about what it all means and hope you’ll stop by to put in your two cents.
You won’t find breaking news here, although there’s plenty of commentary on what’s happening in the world and what ELCA members think about it. We have resources for congregations, videos to inspire and amuse and places to share what’s on your mind.
We’re probably being a bit presumptuous, but we like to think that Martin Luther would approve.
Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join us at the table for a conversation about what it means to “live Lutheran.”
LivingLutheran.com serves up a daily blend of culture, conversation and community for ELCA members and friends. We’re looking for answers about what it all means and hope you’ll stop by to put in your two cents.
You won’t find breaking news here, although there’s plenty of commentary on what’s happening in the world and what ELCA members think about it. We have resources for congregations, videos to inspire and amuse and places to share what’s on your mind.
We’re probably being a bit presumptuous, but we like to think that Martin Luther would approve.
Executive Director
Welcome
Old First Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, CAWelcome seeks to provide a faithful response to poverty and to improve the quality of life for individuals in our community by providing: hospitality; education; food; and referrals for housing, health care and drug and alcohol treatment.
Major Projects include:
*Saturday Community Dinners (feeds between 150 and 300 individuals twice a month)
*Tuesday Welcome Center (feeds 25-45 each Tuesday and provides one-on-one care)
*Community Gardening Project (grown and given away more than 7,000 pounds of free produce on unused church properties in the San Francisco Bay Area)
*Just Lutheran (a do-it-yourself guide to responding to poverty)
*LGBTQ homeless youth leadership project (recording the oral histories of homeless youth around the country and mentoring San Francisco youth who use the history of a similar group in the 60's, art and magazine writing to advocate for their needs)
*SF CARES (a partnership with the San Francisco Night Ministry, St. Paulus Lutheran Church and the Faithful Fools to advocate for individuals with mental health issues and traumatic brain injuries).
Major Projects include:
*Saturday Community Dinners (feeds between 150 and 300 individuals twice a month)
*Tuesday Welcome Center (feeds 25-45 each Tuesday and provides one-on-one care)
*Community Gardening Project (grown and given away more than 7,000 pounds of free produce on unused church properties in the San Francisco Bay Area)
*Just Lutheran (a do-it-yourself guide to responding to poverty)
*LGBTQ homeless youth leadership project (recording the oral histories of homeless youth around the country and mentoring San Francisco youth who use the history of a similar group in the 60's, art and magazine writing to advocate for their needs)
*SF CARES (a partnership with the San Francisco Night Ministry, St. Paulus Lutheran Church and the Faithful Fools to advocate for individuals with mental health issues and traumatic brain injuries).
Provider and Resource Manager
Project Homeless Connect
San Francisco, CAThe mission of Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is to provide a single location where non profit medical and social service providers collaborate to serve the homeless of San Francisco with comprehensive, holistic services.
Growing Home Community Garden Manager
Project Homeless Connect
Octavia/Lily, San Francisco, CAThe Growing Home Community Garden won the 2010 NEN Best Community Challenge Grant Project.
Growing Home's Seeding Resilience project, increases access to mental health services and provides employment opportunities and skills. A two year innovation project with major support provided by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Seeding Resilience project is 75% focused on the Growing Home Community Garden (Octavia & Lily) and 25% on working with Urban Agricultural leaders in San Francisco to build a citywide network of support for mental health consumers.
SF Refresh, hosted six daylong citywide events that enabled San Franciscans to receive free whole body care in community garden settings in 2011. Activities included: gardening classes, yoga, life couching, meditation, trauma care, nutrition classes, massage, acupuncture, tea and coffee cuppings, movement classes, preventative health care information and more. In addition to providing direct services to those who need them, SF Refresh connected individuals and families to self care resources available through the city's system of care, local businesses and non-profit organizations.
Growing Home's Seeding Resilience project, increases access to mental health services and provides employment opportunities and skills. A two year innovation project with major support provided by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Seeding Resilience project is 75% focused on the Growing Home Community Garden (Octavia & Lily) and 25% on working with Urban Agricultural leaders in San Francisco to build a citywide network of support for mental health consumers.
SF Refresh, hosted six daylong citywide events that enabled San Franciscans to receive free whole body care in community garden settings in 2011. Activities included: gardening classes, yoga, life couching, meditation, trauma care, nutrition classes, massage, acupuncture, tea and coffee cuppings, movement classes, preventative health care information and more. In addition to providing direct services to those who need them, SF Refresh connected individuals and families to self care resources available through the city's system of care, local businesses and non-profit organizations.
