I have a few thousand readers who regularly peruse my blog. Many have it sent to their inbox. I am grateful for all of you.
I am thankful for those from my past life who read this column regularly and occasionally reach out via email or text to thank me for a post. You have no idea how much it warms my heart when you write. My life is lived with discontinuity between what was and what is, so whenever there is some small gesture that comes over the continental divide of my life to thank me for a post, it boosts my spirit far more than you know.
I know some of what I write is painful to those who remain in evangelicalism, and that you disagree about more than a little of what I write. I appreciate your graciousness in taking the posts at face value and that you do not take them personally. Many of you have remained within our denomination and I completely understand. I would have remained if I had been allowed. Sadly, both my transition and my theology no longer allow it.
I also have a lot of transgender people who follow me, both those who have transitioned and those who have not. I am not particularly active within the trans community. I rarely speak on transgender issues. Most of my public speaking is on the subject of my first TED Talk – gender equity. Even with my lack of involvement in the trans community, I am touched that you take the time to follow my journey and let me know the parts that resonate with your own.
Some of my trans readers reach out to have a conversation. Sadly I receive far too many requests to be able to schedule those conversations. I am so sorry that is the case. Thank you for sticking with me and reading my memoir. I am appreciative.
A lot of my readers are folks who have stumbled upon one of my TED Talks and have signed up after searching my name. I heard from one of you this morning. I hear from folks pretty much every week, and I always try to answer your emails as quickly as possible. Taking the time to write me is a precious thing, and not something I ever take for granted.
I’m pretty sure my kids rarely if ever read my blog, unless I specifically ask them to read one. My girlfriend doesn’t either, or my therapist. Cathy, my former wife, usually reads them and I take comfort in that. Same with my best friend, who reads every week, and three of my five former copastors, who let me know when they like a post.
Some read every week. One person writes me an email after almost every post. She has been such a loyal follower. Others wait and read eight or ten in a single sitting. Some friends pick up the phone and call me after a particular post, wanting to talk further. I cherish those calls.
For all of you, I am grateful for your faithfulness and for the respect you show just by reading my words.
A lot of what I write is stream of consciousness, whatever I happen to be working through on the particular day I start writing. Sometimes I have no idea what I am going to write until I type the first sentence. The subject unfolds as I type. I love those days. Sometimes the ideas come so fast my fingers can’t move quickly enough to record the cascade of thoughts. Occasionally I stare at a blank screen and type a sentence or two before waiting for another day.
I will keep writing as long as you keep reading. As this, my twelfth year as Paula unfolds, and I approach the completion of 600 columns (columns – language from bygone days with the Christian Standard) I pray that my thoughts may lessen the suffering in the world just a bit, that my words may bring a little insight into people’s minds, and that my heart comes through to show my respect for each and every one of you who treat one another with dignity. I am grateful for your particular journey on this green earth.
And so it goes.
Paula Stone Williams 
Paula, always enjoy what you write as it keeps me thinking. I now go with Matthew 22:37-38, the 8 Beatitudes and then 10 Commandments. Your preaching always gave/gives me hope as I long ago left WELS/ELS synods. So thank you for keeping the faith and preaching it.
LikeLike
Thank you Paula! I read your columns as one who is 9 years ahead of me in this journey with many points of intersection. So many times I have filed away a tidbit here or there that clues me to a possible crossroads yet to come. For me, I love the hints of story that you offer, like who reads your column and who doesn’t and I think about what that would feel like to me. You help add a wider perspective to the sometimes myopic views I can become fixated on. So thank you for showing up week after week. It’s always good to see your name pop up in my inbox!
LikeLike
Hi Paula,
I am one of your regular readers. I’ve always enjoyed both your preaching and your writing. I recently transitioned out of full-time ministry. After 40 years, I had enough. I have a pretty thriving wedding officiating business here in Central FL and I also work for a funeral home company that has four funeral homes in our county. I work as a staff associate and I also serve as a life celebrant, leading Celebration of Life services. Suzy and I have two grandkids. Both of our girls live in Orlando so we are within an hour of both. We hope to move closer to them in 2025 but my dad is 95 and lives in a senior adult community here in Titusville so I have to include him in any of my plans.
I follow a progressive pastor on X, Zach Lambert from Austin as well as reading your blogs. Though I can’t say I’ve “crossed over” theologically regarding LGBTQ issues, one thing I can say for sure- Those outside of the evangelical world certainly in my opinion act a whole lot more like Jesus than those inside the evangelical world. Suzy and I still attend an evangelical though not Restoration church so I haven’t left the evangelical world in that regard. But now that I am not employed by a church I don’t have to hide the fact that I can’t stand MAGA and Donald Trump and I don’t hate or condemn people to hell who think differently than the orthodox evangelical world.
Keep on writing and I’ll keep on reading. I’ve lost touch with Jonathon. Tell him I said Hi and was asking about him the next time you talk to him.
God bless, Mike Cassara
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Mike. I will let Jonathan know you said hi. I think of you often – grateful for being a part of your journey.
LikeLike
Thank you, Paula. I have been and continued to be honored to have a glimpse into your journey!I pray the coming year brings you peace, joy, and adventures beyond what you could’ve imagined.Epiphany Blessings,Jennifer
Blogging at http://www.jennifereould.com “Every year of my life I grow more convinced that it is wisest and best to fix our attention on the beautiful and the good, and dwell as little as possible on the evil and the false.” – Richard Cecil
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Jennifer
LikeLike
much courage to you Paula, may you find the love and grace you need in those you love and who love you. The journey of a prophetic voice, of an activist for change, for more love and gender equity in the world is often lonely. That is especially true for those of us who have come out of the pack of those who believe they love the lord their god better than the rest of us do.
Many years ago when I was also working in the Denver, CO area, I was tasked to pick up George Barna for some type of missions gig. In our drive from the airport and then back again I was challenged by his words to me, when I asked him about my ‘pushing the limits’ and challenging practice and theology. I’ve never seen him again nor interacted any further with him. He said ‘Tim – you are way out ahead of the pack in your thinking, don’t ever come back to the ‘fold’ (which in those days, for me, would have been the US evangelical/fundy world).
You know what, I never did go back, or come back to the fold, and for many years left any semblance of community. It has been lonely, there have been tears, depression. But with times, I like you, have been encouraged by those who have been kind toward me. Just this year, I’ve restored relationships with 2 buddies from Wheaton College (over 40 years ago). We chat each Friday. I still interact with my buddy Jon G in Denver and a scattering of others around the world. My spiritual community is with folks like Father R. Rohr and the CAC.org crowd and your blog.
So I thank you, je t’apprecié et te remercie, Allah y baarakfeek. peace n all good in this new year. 🙏🏽🫶🪬🫶🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your words, Tim. Glad you’ve been able to restore some old friendships.
LikeLike
I appreciate the grace of your words. I’m one who struggles with many aspects of evangelicalism and has chosen to remain in the tribe. I read your blogs because I value you, your wisdom, and I know I will continue to learn from you. I also love the creativity in your writing. You are such a good writer! I’m jealous!! I still dream of a world where we can truly listen to each other, learn from each other even when we don’t agree on all matters. We’ll always have blind spots, be shaped by our ignorance or biases this side of heaven so we desperately need each other. Thank you for the gift of your writing. Don’t stop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss seeing you. Maybe I’ll get to Tucson this spring – it’d be great to hike.
LikeLike
And so it goes, Paula. I’ve been reading those words for decades now. I continue to read every post. As you wrote, I don’t always agree, however your prose is captivating and makes me think. Thanks for broadening my horizons.
LikeLike