Episcopal Divinity School
💬 "Live into the transgressiveness of Pentecost by doing something and saying something. And remember that doing something does not mean waving a rainbow flag or wearing a ' ***rLivesMatter' shirt, chanting ' .' Instead, we must be empowered by the Spirit to vote. For voting is how the Spirit works through us and speaks through us."
— Rev. Dr. Brandon T. Crowley, Director of Theological Education at Episcopal Divinity School & Senior Pastor of the Historic Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, Massachusetts
In this sermon from 2022, Rev. Dr. Crowley reminds us that the subversive power of the Spirit requires tangible, physical transgression against unjust societal structures. He connects the biblical narrative of Pentecost to the historical reality of Pride—which began as a riot against state oppression led by transgender women of color at Stonewall—proving that both seasons demand active resistance rather than passive observation.
For the Body of Christ, inclusion cannot just be a passive marketing stance, a rainbow flag on a church sign, or a comforting slogan. True Christian community requires material allyship and political defense. Because q***r and transgender lives are under active threat, the Church must allow the Spirit to use their societal power—specifically through voting and advocacy—to protect vulnerable members of Christ's body from harm.
🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
🎥 Clip taken from a sermon delivered at Old South Church in Boston in June 2022 entitled: "The Subversion of Pentecost." Watch the full sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKjlaW66M1M&t
***rTheology
06/21/2026
"True freedom — God-given freedom — liberates us from illusions of superiority and entitlements of privilege. It calls us beyond the domination and exclusion of any people. Our freedoms are bound up in one another.
Faith does not permit us to be passive observers of history, remaining silent and on the sidelines while others proclaim and enact untruths in the name of God. Indeed, faith compels us to participate in God’s liberating work in the world. Faith calls us to lead the struggle for freedom. Faith propels us to refuse to be divided against one another."
If you're preaching this Juneteenth weekend, be sure to give this a read!
It's an excerpt from “161 years after Juneteenth, there is unfinished work of freedom" by:
📝The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, EDS's former dean and incoming Distinguish Scholar
📝The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, incoming Priest-in-Charge of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco, currenting leading EDS's "Innovating Beloved Communities" cohort and
📝The Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, dean of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine and former EDS Trustee.
Read the article via Religion News Service here: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/18/161-years-after-juneteenth-there-is-unfinished-work-of-freedom/
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