"Be careful when you draw a line

 between 'us' and 'them,' because

 Jesus is always on the other side with

 'them.'" 

I do not remember when or from whom I

 heard that statement. However, it has

 stuck with me and challenges me as I

 continue to wrestle with proclaiming the

 gospel in relevant and faithful ways.

 The gospels are filled with stories of

 Jesus standing with, eating with

, healing, touching, and welcoming

 those whom the culture labeled as

 "them" - Samaritans, lepers, tax

 collectors, women, outcasts, children,

 the least, the last, the poor, the meek,

 those who mourn, and those who are

 persecuted – proclaiming that in God's

 reign "they" are the greatest. Our

 society often labels transgender people

 and those who identify as LGBTQIA+

 as "them." 

Today I am writing to publicly announce

 that I stand with "them."

Several bills introduced into the

 legislative process in both Kansas and

 Missouri can be described as "anti-

trans." These bills prohibit the full

 inclusion of transgender children and

 youth participation in sports, restrict

 open education that encourages

 respectful learning about the diversity

 of human sexual orientation and

 identities, and prevent affirming

 medical treatment for individuals who

 are transgender. Often the justification

 for such legislation is to protect children

 and youth or the rights of parents,

 these laws have the effect of drawing a

 line between "us" (those who fit into the

 perceived "normal" understanding of

 sexuality) and "them" (those who do

 not), diminishing and limiting the lives

 of "them."   

I am fully aware that, as a church, we continue to have different interpretations of the Scriptures regarding human sexuality. Some believe it is clear that God created us male and female, that marriage is between a male and female, and cite Scripture passages that condemn certain same-gender sexual acts. The belief is that to go against this binary understanding of sexuality is to go against God's created order.

For others, it is clear that the order that

 God created out of chaos is much more

 fluid, diverse, and mysterious. Rather

 than going against God's created order,

 the diversity of human sexuality and

 identities reflect the glory and majesty

 of a God in whose image they are

 created and loved. This is my

 understanding, and it calls me to stand

 with transgender individuals and affirm

 their value, worth, and beauty as God's

 beloved children.

Regardless of where one stands in their

 interpretation of Scripture, I hope we

 can all stand together as "us" and

 "them" united in love and care for our

 neighbors. In our recent workshops led

 by Reconciling Works (www.reconcilingworks.org), we

 were reminded that the suicide rate

 among transgender youth is

 dramatically higher than their peers.

 Having just one supportive adult in their

 lives can make all the difference. 

This is not a social issue. This is what

 the body of Christ means that when 

 a person suffers, we all suffer. We are

 all diminished by the lines we draw

 between "us" and "them."

I am compelled to speak out not as part of a political agenda but as a proclamation of the gospel, seeing the face of Christ in every person. As you examine your own understanding, responsibility, and call as people of faith, I urge you to pray and act in ways that affirm the humanity of all God's people and stand against ways that diminish lives.

Bishop Susan Candea, Central States Synod