Trans Formations

Rev’d. Dr. Alex Clare-Young (they/them) is a pioneer minister in the United Reformed Church, and an associate tutor in theology at Westminster College. They were a finalist of Theology Slam in 2022. Alex is co-chair of the Open Table Network, a trustee of Inclusive Church and a consultant for One Body One Faith.

• Acknowledgements ixGod Dances With Us: The Theology in Story 1Prelude: A Love That Will Not Let Me Go – Stacey 51 Introduction 7Interlude 1: Child of God – Ellen 342 What is in a Name? 38Interlude 2: Not Just Tolerated – Evie 403 Process 44Interlude 3: Desire for Connection – Jack 724 Narrating Our Experience 76Interlude 4: It’s Important – River 1095 Breadcrumbs of Delight: Theological Anthropology 112Interlude 5: ‘Gorgeous Gender Fuckery’ – Star 1406 Dancing With God: Theology 144Interlude 6: Is Not That Wonderful? – Sam 1727 Concluding 175Interlude 7: ‘Those Mirroring Things Matter’ – Pat 191Erring 195Postlude: Euphoria – Mike 219Appendix 1: The Theology in Theory 224Appendix 2: An Open Table Communion Liturgy 226Bibliography 234Index of Bible References 253Index of Names and Subjects 254

'...a book many of us have been waiting for. A book that cuts through, with clinical precision, the destructive and oppressive railings of contemporary patriarchal theology, not with trans apologetics, but with a courageous, compassionate, and tender embracing of trans lived experience, and encounters within, the mystery and wonder of God. It is a defiant, joyous, learned celebration of all that is trans, and formed in the image of God.Alex is very much a voice for this time and generation. This is a seminal, breakthrough book in bringing trans theology in from the margins. It is academically rigorous, pastorally sensitive, and oh so refreshing. I think we will look back, and understand this book as being pivotal in changing how mainstream Christianity understands trans and non-binary people. It is rooted in, and builds upon the work of many trans and queer theologians, but moves beyond, creating an intimate and compelling narrative with the ten trans and non-binary people, they inspire to vulnerability, and authoritative, self-disclosure. If God is a self-disclosing God, then this book, reveals God afresh, in the flesh.'