This is an online event!

Go to: bit.ly/DreamsSundayWorship

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Epiphany is a lesser-known Christian season. At its center is the shining light of a bright star. Good thing too -- we need a light to follow through these long, cold days of winter. It's a season of God made known among us in ordinary ways and places.

God is made known, too, through ordinary people, so during this season of stars and lights, we'll be hearing stories from LGBTQ+ folks about how they've learned to SHINE.

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Life presents particular struggles for LGBTQ+ folks, but with persistence, resilience, and our community, we nurture the light within us, and SHINE anyway.

During these difficult days, in can be tough to remember that each of us has a light that burns bright. That's why we come together: to remember the light of God that shines in each of us.

You are welcome.

This Sunday, we'll hear from the brilliant Jabari Lyles!

Jabari Lyles​ (he/him) is an educator, community organizer, servant leader and consultant with over 15 years of experience leading initiatives which emphasize his passion for people, education and justice. Currently, Jabari is the Director of LGBTQ Affairs for the Office of the Mayor in Baltimore City, where he supports and advises Mayor Brandon M. Scott and local government on the needs and interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, while working to grow the community’s capacity and visibility.

Jabari previously led statewide LGBTQ organizations such as GLSEN Maryland and The Pride Center of Maryland, is the former chairperson of Baltimore Pride, and aformer elementary and middle school teacher in Baltimore City. He is a seasoned diversity trainer and group facilitator, and participates on a number of work groups,boards and coalitions working towards gender, racial and sexual justice for Blackpeople, transgender people and LGBTQ youth. His 2017 TEDx Talk, entitled ​BlackSelf/White World: Lessons on Internalized Racism​ gained over 200,000 views and has been featured in racial justice education and university syllabi across the globe. Jabari is a Maryland native and currently lives in the Pigtown neighborhood of Baltimore City.

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You will need:
-a candle and something to light it with
-paper (yellow or gold are great if you have it)
-scissors and a marker
-tape

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At these services we will:

-Sing with LEA, who will lead us in song
-Hear passages from the Bible related to the season of Epiphany
-Listen to a story from one of our story-tellers about how they learned to shine
-Offer our own stories of where we saw God shining in the world
-Create a star chart
-Offer our prayers for the world
-Receive a blessing!