In November 2022, the SCM Trans Theology Group came together to create a liturgy to mark Trans Day of Remembrance. You are welcome to use this resource by yourself or with a group of people. This liturgy is merely a guide; if you feel inspired to create something different, we welcome you to create it.
Introduction and Welcome to the Service
Opening Prayer
In the beginning God created all things, land and sea and the marshlands in between, light and darkness and the twilight in between, man and woman and those in between. In the beginning God created all things in diversity, with all possibilities in between. At our beginning God created each one of us and all our possibilities.
God of creation and change, we thank you for calling us by name. We remember how you changed the names of many called to do your work. Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Peter and Paul all journeyed with you and became new creations. In renaming them you recreated their lives, as you recreate us anew each day.
ALL: Amen.
Joint activity- What does Trans Day of Remembrance mean to you?
Before the service, think about what words, thoughts, images, and names that come to mind when thinking about Trans Day of Remembrance.
A member of the group will share these thoughts
Moment of Silence
Responses
Leader: To all those we have lost, we say:
ALL: We remember them.
Leader: To all those who survive, we say:
ALL: We cherish them.
Leader: To all those who fight on, we say:
ALL: We protect them.
Reading
A reading from the Book of Isaiah 43: 1-7
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Reader: For the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Closing Prayers
Leader: O God, your Son Jesus Christ wept over Lazarus his friend and heard the anguished cries of Jairus for his daughter; hear those whose lives have been marked by tragedy and whose hearts ache with grief. Console those whose worlds have been shattered and whom no words can console. Comfort them in their darkest hour, with the assurance that nothing can separate us from your love. Raise the dead to new life, that all may again sing songs of thankfulness and praise to your honour and glory.
ALL: Amen.
Leader: Loving God, Creator of the Universe, you know our inner hearts. Too often we have failed to follow your ways, to love our neighbour and to truly love you. We also recognise the ways in which transgender people have been side-lined, feared or abused by the Church. Forgive us for our past failures. Grant all people fresh hearts and new minds so that we can celebrate the full richness and diversity of human experience in the love of Christ.
ALL: Amen.
Prayers taken from Alex Clare-Young, Transgender. Christian. Human (Wild Goose, 2019);David Adam, Celtic Daily Prayer (SPCK, 2007); Ian Black, Prayers for all Occasions (SPCK, 2011).