Please join us in celebrating the ordination of Louis James Irving Mitchell!

Sunday, September 23, 2018
3pm

South Congregational Church
45 Maple St, Springfield, MA 01105

Hampden Association
Massachusetts Conference
United Church of Christ

Transfaith's executive director, Louis Mitchell, is being ordained into Christian Ministry. While Transfaith seeks to serve transgender communities of all spiritual, philosophical, and energetic traditions, Louis himself is a Christian.

Mr Mitchell has spent years in preparation for this moment, including studies at Andover Newton Theological School (Newton MA) and Lexington Theological School (Lexington KY), as well as pastoral service at South Congregational Church (Springfield MA) and Recovering the Promise Ministries (Springfield/Chicopee MA). He has previously been a member of City of Refuge UCC (Oakland CA) and Old First Church (Springfield MA). He served as East Coast Regional Minister for the TransSaints ministry of Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM). He is a founding member of TransSaints, UCC GenderFold Action Alliance (now defunct), and Trans Still Speaking in the UCC.

Mr Mitchell is one of the few candidates and the first in the Hampden Association being ordained under the UCC's new Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministers (aka "Marks of Ministry"). 

Mr Mitchell expresses his thanks for clergy mentors through the years of his preparation, including Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Presiding Prelate of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; the Rev. Thomas A. Gough, former Pastor of Old First Congregational Church; the Rev. Charla Kuoadio, Co-founder of Recovering the Promise Ministries; the Rev. Dr. Irene Monroe; the Rev. Kelly Gallagher; the Rev. Kathy Burbank Cunliffe; and the Rev. Marisa Brown Ludwig. In addition, he is grateful for a host of other family, friends, and ministry partners for praying, pushing, pulling, and carrying him through this journey.

Louis Mitchell is the co-founder of Transfaith and was appointed Executive Director in January 2018. Transfaith is one of four covenant partners supporting his ordination.

Donations to Transfaith in honor of the (soon to be) Rev. Louis Mitchell can be made through Paypal, Stripe, or check (mailed to Transfaith, 6757 Greene St, Suite 200, Philadephia, PA 19119).

Video of Ordination Service

Thank you to Jevon Martin for recording the service via Facebook Live.