Presented by the SNEUCC Wellness Team and the SNEUCC Open and Affirming Ministry Team. 

Taj M Smith will host a discussion in which attendees will learn about the experiences of some Transgender/Non-Binary persons. How can we be supportive, not hurtful? Panelists will share their stories as they relate to health, wellness, and spirituality. There will be time for discussion and Q & A.

Learn more and register at https://www.sneucc.org/eventdetail/17070613?month=11&year=2022&day=1&display=m.

Walk a Mile in My Shoes Panelists:

Debbie and Dani Gline Allen
Debbie Gline Allen serves as Minister of Faith Formation for the Southern New England Conference, and enjoys playing piano, soprano recorder, and reading historical fiction.  Dani Gline Allen works as a computer engineer designing electronics and software for medical systems. She also enjoys playing the guitar and has been an active lay leader at First Parish Congregational Church UCC in East Derry, NH, as well as in the New Hampshire Conference.

Debbie and Dani have been married for 35 years (25 of them as husband and wife) and live in Derry, NH with their two sons and a beloved cat. 

The Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson
The Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson serves as the Minister of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford, MA. She came to Pilgrim in April 2021.

In addition to being the pastor at Pilgrim, she is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, social justice advocate, and former candidate for the Rhode Island State Senate in Providence.
At age 69, Dr. Anderson came out of the closet, sharing with her family and the world that she is a transgender woman. Anderson shared, “For years my fantasy was to preach openly in a pink clergy shirt, fully expressing the fact that I am a woman. That fantasy is now my REALITY.”

“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community that has known historic and current exclusion and outright hatred and discrimination by many societal structures – including the church — it is wonderful to simply live out Jesus’ gospel of inclusion on a daily basis, face to face and heart to heart.” Anderson continues, “Everyone needs to know that they are loved by God, but many are told that they have to make the false choice between being who they authentically are OR being a person of faith. That choice is not only false, it is in direct contradiction to Biblical teaching and Jesus’ own example of God’s inclusive love for all persons.”

The Rev. Katie Omberg
Rev. Katie Omberg (she/they) currently serves as the Interim Pastor at Melrose Highlands Congregational Church in Melrose, MA. Before this, they served as the Bridge and Interim Pastor at First Congregational Church in Saugus and the Events Coordinator at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School.