Faith-based organizer Aaron Scott has been named gender justice staff officer of The Episcopal Church. This new position called for by the 80th General Convention is dedicated to LGBTQ+ and women’s ministries. He starts on April 29, 2024.
Scott co-founded Chaplains on the Harbor. He most recently worked at Union Theological Seminary’s Kairos Center as project coordinator for the Countering White Christian Nationalism Initiative. He serves on the national steering committee for the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Aaron Scott’s background
As an organizer from the transgender community, Scott began his gender justice work in 2006 with Queers for Economic Justice. Since then, his work has included leadership development for women and LGBTQ+ people navigating the immigration and public assistance systems—and those living in encampments, shelters, and incarceration facilities.
Scott has been appointed at the recommendation of a committee that included people of trans, nonbinary, LGBTQ+, and cisgender identities. There were representatives from Episcopal Church Women, TransEpiscopal, and the Union of Black Episcopalians.
Scott holds a master’s degree in biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on gender and the New Testament. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latinx studies from Fordham University.
Purpose for this new role
In his new role, Scott will seek to inspire, gather, and equip Episcopalians for justice, advocacy, and inclusion work focused on women and LGBTQ+ people. He will do the following:
- Provide and develop formation opportunities to support inclusion of all gender identities and expressions
- Collect and share related resources
- Grow networks of leaders for encouragement and cooperation
“Candidates all taught sample lessons and gave sermons on gender and theology, and Aaron impressed the committee with his theological and community-organizing knowledge,” said the Rev. Melanie Mullen, director of reconciliation, justice, and creation care—and hiring manager for this position. “There is great urgency to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community, and we look forward to the impact Aaron’s work will have on the church and beyond.”
Under the leadership of Mullen, an 11-member gender justice committee worked to formulate a ministry vision and job description. Resolution A063, which gave rise to the position, was developed from work done by the Task Force to Study Sexism in The Episcopal Church and Develop Anti-Sexism Training. The resolution’s call regarding anti-sexism training modules is also being addressed through Formation Department staff.
[Episcopal Church appoints Aaron Scott as first gender justice staff officer]
Aaron Scott preaching at Church of the Redeemer
Fr. Jed Fox, Rector of Church of the Redeemer, invited Aaron Scott to preach on the observance of the Feast of the Holy Cross on September 16, 2018. Here is that sermon.
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.