As Christian leaders in Vermont, we are deeply saddened and troubled by the murder of Fern Feather and the shattering of the door of the Pride Center in Burlington, Vermont.
Diversity, inclusion and justice are core values of our faith. On April 22-23 we held a statewide gathering of our Vermont churches in the United Church of Christ. This year we were celebrating twenty years of declaring ourselves an Open and Affirming Conference. This means a commitment of offering acceptance, welcome and celebration to gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, queer and questioning persons.
The reality of a trans woman’s murder provided a somber reminder that our work is not complete. The queer community, especially our trans siblings, live with the daily trauma of the threat of violence. We mourn with our queer siblings in the loss of Fern Feather and the damage to the Pride Center.
Many of our congregations begin their worship services with these words, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” The Open and Affirming movement has changed the church. But we must also acknowledge the culpability of the Christian Church in the othering of queer people and their ongoing oppression.
Jesus declared that he comes to “let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18) and so we reaffirm our commitment to be active and engaged allies with the queer community in the ongoing work of countering trans and homophobia for the sake of our beloved Vermont and for the sake of the gospel of Christ.
As Easter people, we believe, and we are certain, that ultimately Love wins!
Rev. Dr. Lynn L. Bujnak
Conference Minister
Vermont Conference, UCC
Rev. Paul Sangree
Associate Conference Minister
Vermont Conference, UCC
Rev. Jacquelyn Lingelbach
Ministries Coordinator, Vermont Conference, UCC
Rev. Caryne A. Eskridge, Weybridge Congregational Church
Rev. John N. Bixby
Rev. Amanda Swoyer
Rev. Paul Eyer, Williston Federated Church
Rev. Kathy Clark
Rev. Lava Mueller
Rev. and Mrs. Dave and Louise Ransom
Pastor Theresa Lever
Rev. Terry Hanley, RN.
Rev. Erin Reardon
Pastor Andi Lloyd
Rev. Doug Carter
Rev. Dr. Gary Lewis
Rev. Leigh McCaffrey, Barre Congregational
Rev. Martha Beckwith Peck
Rev. D. Mark Blank, Second Congregational Church, Bennington, VT
Rev. Peter Plagge, Waterbury Congregational Church
Rev. Rona Kinsley
Rev. Jessica Moore, First Congregational Church of St. Albans
Rev. Pam Lucas
Rev. Susan Cooke Kittredge
Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson
Rev. Elisa Lucozzi, Guilford Community Church
Pastor SallyAnn Silfies
Rev. Gregory Briggs, Vermont Conference, UCC, Disaster Ministries Coordinator
Rev. KellyAnn Donahue, East Corinth Congregational Church
Rev. Amy Pitton, Bethany United Church of Christ
Rev. Tracy Weatherhogg
Rev. Linda L. Kulas
Rev. Cordelia Burpee
Rev. Dr. Shawn Bracebridge
Rev. Susan Church
Rev. Marjorie MacNeill, Shelburne VT
Rev. Carole Carlson
Rev. David Vanderlinde-Abernathy
Rev. Abigail Diehl-Noble
Rev. Dr. Barbara Purinton
Rev. Charles Purinton
Pastor Beverly Anderson
Rev. Laurie Krooss
Rev. Mark D. Wilson, Waitsfield United Church of Christ
Rev. Katelyn B. Macrae, Richmond Congregational Church, UCC
Rev. Catherine Aiken Cadieux
Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen
Rev. Ann Hockridge
Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters
Rev Christine S. Boardman, Springfield
Rev. Kimberly S. McKerley, Bethany Church, United Church of Christ
Rev Rameen Zahed, The Old Meeting House
Rev. Daniel Wright
Rev. Margaret Wright
Pastor Michael J. Mario
