Letters to God

Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Third Sunday of Advent

The Rev. Julia Joyce-Miesse (she/her)

Rector, St. Luke Episcopal Church

Queer Christian

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

(Philippians 4:6)

I was recently in a local coffee shop and overheard a conversation of someone coming out to a friend. The friend sat quietly, listened to the quivering voice bearing their soul, and responded, “I love you, and I will pray for you – not because God doesn’t love you too, but because this world can be cruel, and your life might not be easy…prayer helps.” I was reminded of Celie’s letters to God as a way to express herself in Alice Walker’s book, The Color Purple. Celie spent a life being mistreated, name-called, and othered by people. Celie’s narrative was not perfectly written nor edited for content; it was her heart to God. Through Walker’s book, we are allowed to join Celie in her healing journey and realization of herself as beloved.

I read Celie’s letters as journaled prayers. We do not need the “right words” to talk with God. And, where I believe that God knows our thoughts before we do, I think it is helpful in our humanity to write down the words, emotions, and concerns of our hearts. It is often in breaking down the vulnerable wall of thought to penned manuscripts we find answers and healing. Might it be in this vulnerable space that the Holy Spirit moves within us?

Rejoice this day that we are Beloved! We are made in the image of God – good, Holy, beautiful, worthy, and enough – just like you are – right now! Repeat that to yourself. You are BELOVED!

Reflection

How might you discover the beautiful image of God that lives within you?

Mary Church Terrell taught that we should “lift as we climb.” As a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, how might you help someone else find their belovedness?

Action

Make time daily to write a letter to God as part of your journey to discover your beautiful self!

A Love Letter to the Future

Sunday, December 7, 2025 - Second Sunday of Advent

The Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp (he/they)

Executive Director, LOVEboldly

Queer Christian

Love never ends.

(1 Corinthians 13:8)

Assuming you haven’t skipped ahead—not calling you out, I’d do the same thing—you’re reading this devotion for the first time on December 7, 2025, almost one year after I wrote it on December 4, 2024. I imagine at least some of the bad things I was fearing have come true, but hopefully not all of them. Wherever and however, you’re reading this I hope you are warm, fed, comfortable, and loved.

I’ve been thinking about people throughout history who have sat in this same place where something has changed, someone’s been elected, the situation for war is ripe, or the world just feels like its spinning faster now.

Each person then has to find their own anchor; that place, that person, that community, that faith, that philosophy, or that passion which keeps them grounded. But no amount of grounding or putting our minds on other things can totally erase the worry and the fear of what we know is coming.

I can’t know yet what has happened in the time between me writing this devotion and you reading it, but I hope you can feel the love and the light I’m sending to you today. Remember, love never ends.

Reflection

How have you done this year?

Where do you find love today?

Action

Who could use some more love? Reach out, even if it’s only in words, and give them that love.

Giving Tuesday - A Message from Rev. Dr. Ben

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Dear Friends,

It’s Giving Tuesday, and I’m writing to you first thing this morning because this matters to me more than I can fully express.

I’ve recorded a video for you. In it, I talk about what LOVEboldly means to me—not just as Executive Director, but as a Queer person of faith who grew up in the church, who knows what it’s like to wonder if God could really love someone like me.

And this is my dream job. This work—creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ Christians don’t just survive but flourish—is what I’m meant to do. It’s what God has called me to do. And right now, in this particular moment, it’s never been more important.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/3de758_a8848eb1cbb743de859869ededa55e1f/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Here’s where we are: We’ve raised 13% of our $10,000 goal. That means we still need $8,690 by December 31st.

I won’t sugarcoat it—LOVEboldly is in a challenging moment. But I believe deeply in this mission. I believe in the Fellows Program that equips leaders. I believe in the resources that change churches. I believe in the community we’re building for LGBTQIA+ people of faith who need to know they belong.

And I believe in you.

Today—right now—I’m asking you to give.

Think about the queer kids sitting in church pews this Sunday, wondering if they’re broken. Think about the parents trying to reconcile their faith with their love for their LGBTQ child. Think about the pastors who want to create affirming spaces but don’t know where to start.

Your gift today reaches all of them.

Three ways to support LOVEboldly on Giving Tuesday:

1. Make a one-time gift and help us close the gap on our $10,000 goal

2. Start a monthly donation of $10, $25, or $50 to provide year-round stability

3. Share this email and our campaign with anyone who cares about LGBTQIA+ inclusion in faith

We have until December 31st, but today sets the tone for everything. Today tells us whether we can count on this community to show up when it matters most.

I’m showing up. Will you?

DONATE NOW

With hope and urgency,

Ben +

Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp

Executive Director, LOVEboldly

P.S. Monthly donors are our lifeline. Even $10/month gives us the sustainable support we need to plan ahead and expand our impact. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to become a monthly donor, today is that day. Become a monthly donor by clicking here.