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With this week being the one-year anniversary of the death of beloved author and speaker, Rachel Held Evans, Daneen Akers reads her profile from the book, “Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints”, an illustrated children’s anthology about people of diverse faiths who have worked for love and justice, even when that rocked the religious boat. Rachel’s profile is being made available online in its entirety as one small way to honor her and share her story. You can find it at:

www.holytroublemakers.com/rachel

Rachel had big questions about God and faith from the time she was a young child. A late-night conversation 10-year-old Rachel had with her father one night when she couldn’t sleep due to a painful skin condition helped her realize that questions about the Divine are okay, and that she was a beloved child of God just as she was, questions and all. Rachel later gifted that space to the many people all over the world who found her books and blogs. Her public wrestling with God, faith, and the church through her writing helped others know that they weren’t alone in their questions. “The essence of the Divine is love,” Rachel said. “In the midst of your questions, you are fully loved right now, just as you are.”

Rachel also spoke up about unfair policies in the church. Above her writing desk, she kept a small sign written in her hand-righting that said, “Tell the truth.” As the Christian scriptures say, “The truth will set you free.” But Rachel also knew that speaking and writing the truth often upset powerful people, but she kept telling the truth anyway. And she kept on assuring people that no matter what pastors and church officials might say, God always loves each and every person. She was especially passionate when people were being treated in a way that she knew didn’t measure up to the life and teachings of Jesus, which is how she became a vocal advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church, as well as for women in ministry. Rachel often publicly reminded Christian leaders that Jesus always would have chosen to go home to dinner with the very people the church was forgetting or rejecting. Her vision of the church included everyone. She said: “This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more.”

The discussion after the story focuses on questions viewers might have and how we can honor Rachel’s memory by wrestling with those questions, even if we don’t ever get full answers (a good question can be an excellent traveling companion). Daneen also explains a detail in Rachel’s portrait where the artist, Gillian Gamble, etched “Eshet Chayil, Woman of Valor” around Rachel’s head as a bit of a halo. This is a reference to one of Rachel’s most enduring teachings about Proverbs 31 and how a chapter that had often been read as a never-ending to-do list was actually a blessing, a “You go” or “Well done.” For this story time, Daneen talks about “children of valor” or “person of valor”. One way to continue Rachel’s legacy is to find ways to acknowledge acts of valor (bravery, courage, moxie, or great-heartedness) in ourselves and in those around us.

In an interview for this book, Rachel talked about loving the mothering metaphors for God found throughout the Bible. They became especially meaningful to her after she became a mother herself. She particularly loved the image of God the Mother Hen, gathering Her chicks under Her wings (Matt 23:37). Now Rachel is gathered up in that great mystery of the beyond, somehow gathered under God’s wings. And those of us still on this side of that great mystery have her words and witness to continue to guide us.

#EshetChayil
#RememberingRHE

These "Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints" online story times will go up every Friday evening here on the Holy Troublemakers YouTube channel. Subscribe to be notified.

ABOUT THE BOOK

“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.” —Bayard Rustin

"Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints" tells the stories of people of faith working for more love and justice in their corners of the world, even when that means rocking the religious boat. With original portraits from more than two dozen artists and engaging profiles of people from different faiths and different eras, these are stories that inspire, educate, challenge, and encourage.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daneen Akers is a writer, producer, teacher, and mother who believes deeply in the power of stories. Her past projects have explored faith, identity, and belonging. She is the mother of two girls, Lily and Lucy, who are the true inspiration for this book.

Learn more, buy the book, or email the author at:

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