Dreams Do Come True!

-


Queering the American Dream by Angela Yarber is an exciting, funny, heartwarming book full of stories of strong, fierce women who helped inspire Angela and her family as they lived their dream.

One of the things that I enjoyed the most about this book was how down to earth and real it was. Angela's stories of the trials and tribulations of crossing the country, camping in a tiny trailer in the wilds of the US with a toddler and dealing with family issues back home left me laughing, crying, and eager to read more.

Intertwined with the adventures that Angela and her wife met head on, are the stories of "Subversive Sister Saints," one of which hangs proudly in my living room reminding me daily that I can be fierce, strong, courageous as well as soft, kind, and gentle. 

Subversive Sister Saints are the growing collection of paintings created by Angela, an ordained minister, in order to process the pain and hurt of being an openly lesbian clergy. While on the outside, it looked like she was accepted by her congregation, the insidious undercurrents of prejudice and rejection lay just under the surface. 

One of the things I realized as I got halfway through the book is that this is a great read for anyone. The lessons, the stories, the histories of Subversive Sister Saints are universal in their appeal and power to inspire, educate and encourage.

I, for one, want to thank my sister minister/teacher/writer/creator for the opportunity to read her book and share it with all of you. I HIGHLY recommend it as a great summer read that will have you dreaming of adventures of your own.

About the Author:

Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber is an award-winning author of eight books and a
highly sought public speaker. She is the Founder of Tehom Center Publishing, an imprint publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion and over a decade serving as a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, five of her books were listed in QSpirit’s Top LGBTQ Religion Books. Her work has been featured in Forbes, HuffPo, Ms. Magazine, Tiny House Nation, and more at https://angelayarber.org .

You can find her online at: 
www.angelayarber.org 
www.tehomcenter.org 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.yarber 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tehomcenter 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tehomcenter
   

 














Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bible Sisters

-
Image
As a child, Bible stories fascinated me. I tried to imagine what it was like to live in times so long ago. Rarely, however, did I ever see any connection to what happened in ancient times with what was happening in my life. After all, my world was close to 2000 years older and far from the lands of Pharaohs and Roman invaders.  As I grew, I learned to see the lessons within Scripture. But, again, I found it difficult to connect to these men who battled giants or spoke eloquent words in the Temple. The only women I remember mentioned were few and far between. How I wished there was more for a woman to connect with in the Bible. A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of receiving a copy of Bible Sisters by Rev. Gennifer Benjamin Brooks in the mail. Bible Sisters is a 365-day devotional that includes the well-known women of the Bible (Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Rebecca, Mary, Martha...) as well as those we know little about and who often go unnamed like Hagar or the Widow of Zar...
Read more

Whispers

-
Image
Photo Credit: (c) 2018 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas When I was, as my mother would say, a wee sprout, I had my first experience with hearing that soft whisper that has warned me, inspired me, and on occasion, nagged me. Perhaps because I was raised in a household where being "fey" was looked at as normal, I never questioned that this was not real.  I can't tell you what the first thing I "heard" was, but I do remember talking to my mother about it when I was about six years old. We had had a lesson in school where sister had told the class about a saint who heard "the whispers of the angels." I asked Momma if that was who was speaking to me.  I still remember her looking very seriously into my eyes and saying, "Lindy, it might be angels, it might be what artists call the muse, or it might be what some people call, 'the voice of your ancestors or guides.' I don't know, but I do know you need to listen and pay attention to what you he...
Read more

Ministering Without a Church

-
Image
Over the past few days, several people have asked me where my church is.  Honestly, I stumble over answering this question.  My "church" is the world. But, when I say that, people take a step back and look at me with shock or suspicion.  When I answer that I don't have one, they apologize and begin listing all the churches they know looking for ministers. In reality, I am not a minister to one denomination or faith path, which means I do not have a pulpit from which I preach every Sunday.  I am an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister.  Ministry within this context is far-reaching. Ministry literally means serving others. This may be accomplished through a community of like-minded individuals within the confines of a building, but "the church" is not a building.  The Church is the people that gather together. Therefore, my "church" is wherever people gather and are in need.  This may mean the mother who is exhausted from chasing toddlers...
Read more