Following Up with the Fellows: Jessica
By Jessica C. Paul
When I think about peace and justice in the church and through the church, I know now more than ever that both are not only relevant but necessary. I say that as someone who has been at my LGBTQIA+ affirming church for 14 years. I found Urban Village Church, Hyde Park-Woodlawn, right after I came out as a Christian lesbian. I am a cisgender, lesbian, Christian, African-American woman. Someone might see that as a quadruple threat, but it is my truth. It is my power, my courage, and my bravery. It gives me deep hope because I no longer believe that being gay is a sin. That is why being part of an affirming church, with a pastor who identifies like me, means everything.
For the past 14 years, I have walked in the Chicago Pride Parade alongside 40 other churches in the Coalition of Welcoming Churches. Last year, I held the Urban Village Church sign and told people, “God loves you!” and “God is proud of you!” We handed out wristbands and fans that said “God is trans!” because we believe God is Spirit. God is Mother, Father, God is All. Our church lives out its call to be bold, relevant, and inclusive. We welcome all as they are, love all regardless of identity, and fight for justice, especially for marginalized communities, both locally and globally.
In these dark times, my church helps me be a light in the world. Even in small, everyday ways, I try to carry that light. I have been gradually learning Spanish, and recently I have been able to help people who come to my office by mistake while looking for their immigration check-ins next door. Just this week, I helped three families by speaking Spanish and guiding them where to go. A young woman and a mother with her son smiled at me for learning their language. It warmed my heart. It felt like healing. It felt like a quiet but powerful act of justice and peace. My mom always tells me to “be a blessing to somebody today,” and I carry that with me. I will continue to shine because Jesus is my inner light, and Jesus is the light of the world.
One of the biggest commitments I am carrying from this fellowship is the revival and expansion of my praise dance ministry. I have been a praise dancer since I was about 5 or 6 years old. The past two years have been intense, but I have remained resilient. At the same time, I felt something stirring. God has been speaking to me, and I have had several dances sitting in my spirit for a long time. I was not sure how to grow the ministry within a smaller church base, but now I have a friend designing a website to help expand our reach and build community.
We are reimagining what this ministry can be. We will dance not only in our home church, but also in guest churches and queer spaces. I am excited about everything, from the garments with crosses to the flags and scarves, the palazzo pants, the ballet shoes, and the choreography. More than anything, I am excited because a part of me has come back to life. Through dance, I can worship God and offer something meaningful to others. I want to bring peace, joy, love, light, and hope to people who need it. I am committed to sustaining this ministry, not letting it fade, and allowing it to grow and bless people both in person and across the world online.
This fellowship itself has been a true blessing. When my pastor encouraged me to apply, I was elated. I knew I needed support to bring this vision into motion. What I found was a community that is inspiring, heartfelt, spiritually rejuvenating, and deeply healing. Hearing the stories of people who share my queer identity and love for Christ, while also coming from very different life experiences, has been restorative in ways I did not fully expect.
If I had to explain this fellowship to someone who feels weary or skeptical about justice work, I would tell them this. It gives us a way to light candles of hope. Each of our individual projects is a candle. When we light them, we do not shine alone. We pass that flame to others. One by one, we illuminate the world with hope, justice, and love. Those candles reflect the light of Christ for all to see. And as long as that light is shining, like Kendrick Lamar says, “we gon’ be alright.”