Rev. M Barclay is a bisexual, nonbinary, trans clergy in the United Methodist Church. M uses they/them pronouns. M is a theology nerd; but also loves to spend time outdoors (hiking, exploring, or soaking up the sun on a beach) as much as possible. M has been shaped by a lot of different spiritual sources, thinkers, and communities. But M is rooted in their faith by their involvement in the United Methodist Church. Theologies that sustain, challenge, and compel M are feminist, queer, black, liberation, and process theologies. Process Theology is the philosophical and theological position that God is changing, as is the universe (definition from CARM.org).
M has said that "living and serving in The United Methodist Church, where LGBTQ folks are not only not-affirmed but prohibited from a full life in the denomination is a constant challenge." They have seen friends and loved ones treated terribly. M has heard and had to sit with "more stories of harm and struggle than I could possibly begin to count."
M is not a stranger to the struggles that LGBTQ folks face in The United Methodist Church. They have faced their own deep challenges at the hands of the UMC's discriminatory policies as they sought ordination as a deacon.
What has helped M deal with the church's discriminatory policies against LGBTQ folks is "there are so many queer, trans, and ally United Methodists who are in the struggle together that there is sustenance and nourishment and meaning in the midst."
I asked M "Is there ever a time that your faith as made your life as a queer person easier? Describe an event or time when you felt this." M responded with this:
"My faith has been vital to my own ability to survive as a queer and trans person. In particular, coming out as non-binary trans felt so incredibly difficult to me. Even just a few years ago, I felt impossibly alone in the identity - knowing very few others who could even wrap their minds around what it might mean to be non-binary. It was scary and hard to embrace another sort of marker that seemed like it would make life even harder. And yet, I knew it was true for me. My faith has been my foundation for empowering me to do hard things, to rest in love, to lean on community, and to pursue what I believe in and the fullness of who I am."
M is not only a non-binary trans deacon in The United Methodist Church, but they are also the director of a ministry called enfleshed. enfleshed was birthed alongside Rev. Anna Blaedel and a board of directors. M, Anna, and the board longed for more spiritual resources that center justice, liberation, and delight in centering the conversations that matter most today. "We wanted to create something that moved away from abstract concepts of God and faith and put flesh back on faith by focusing god-words and ideas on the bodies and lives among us." enfleshed provides worship preparation materials for clergy based on the lectionary with an LGBTQ affirming, feminist, anti-racist lens. enfleshed also offers preaching, teaching, and workshops on matters of faith and justice. They also write custom liturgies and offer pastoral care to LGBTQ persons and allies. Soon they will be launching small group resources.
M offered these words of advice to anyone who is questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation and is struggling with reconciling that to their faith, particularly the Christian faith:
"If you can, find some other queer and/or trans people to connect with who can help you do some processing and who can give some encouragement in your journey. Also, consider reading some books written directly by queer/trans people about their own faith and beliefs. There's a lot of good stuff and good people and good organizations making the coming out process and faith reconciliation work a lot less lonely than it once was! Find community - online or in person - who can journey with you and remind you when you doubt it that God loves you and being queer and/or trans is a gift!"
In closing, M offered these final words of encouragement and inspiration:
