In from the Wilderness

Synopsis: The stories of transgender people reach back to the beginnings of recorded history. At this particular point in time the psychiatric, medical, and secular worlds are beginning to appreciate the authenticity of Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, and Queer people. Sadly, many Christian churches and denominations continue to oppress and vilify the LGTBQ community. This is the story of a transgender man who has been an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church since 1984 and has quietly served his congregations for twenty-eight years before sharing his story and spiritual journey with his congregation, denomination, and the world. This is the story of a Transgender man, a Christian, an ordained minister, a loving husband and father--a human being. It is his challenge to his denomination and to all Christians and spiritual seekers to consider the truth of gender identity and sexual orientation as God given gifts, to be celebrated and embraced among all other gifts. Endorsements: "Questions about whether a transgender pastor can have a successful ministry have been resoundingly answered in the affirmative in this story of three decades of effective and inspiring pastoral ministry, while keeping secret from the church and society his gender reassignment surgery. Remarkable--courageous-- encouraging!" --Bishop Calvin D. McConnell United Methodist Church, Retired Portland, Oregon "From the time David was appointed my pastor in the 1980s, to the compelling revelation of his challenging circumstances, he has sustained his integrity, his courageous, creative, inclusive ministry and hope-filled spirit. His personal story offers liberation to others trapped, either in their bodies or in gender roles defined by society." --Velma Duell McConnell Lay Pastoral Care Portland, Oregon "David Weekley shares his wilderness journey in this warm and honest autobiography. In the wilderness (both past and present), David has encountered deep loneliness, powerful mentoring and friendship, unbearable pain, and profound joy. Through it all, he has journeyed with a courage that will inspire courage in his readers. As a teenager, David could not speak of himself as "I" but only as "i." He gradually learned to honor himself and to form deep and honest relationships, which have shaped his powerful and compassionate ministry with others. Thank you, David!" --Mary Elizabeth Moore Boston University Author Biography: The Rev. David Weekley is an ordained United Methodist clergy. He received his BA in Psychology from Cleveland State University in 1976 and entered seminary at Boston University School of Theology, where he earned an MDiv in 1982. He has served churches in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference for twenty-eight years.