A Light in the Darkness: Rev. Dr. Josephine Inkpin's Conclusion Service Sermon at Pitt Street Uniting Church

On February 2, 2025, Rev. Dr. Josephine Inkpin delivered a profound and moving sermon at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney, marking the conclusion of her ministry there. Her words, rich with theological depth, personal reflection, and a call to transformative action, resonated deeply with those present. For many, it was a moment of celebration, gratitude, and inspiration—a testament to her role as a beacon of hope for the LGBT+ community and others on the margins.

At the heart of Rev. Dr. Inkpin's sermon was the concept of "waiting with desire," a theme she explored through the biblical figures of Anna and Simeon. Drawing from their story, she emphasized that true waiting is not passive resignation but an active, intentional dependence on love. This kind of waiting, she explained, involves living in the presence of God, nurturing time and space through awareness, prayer, and ritual. It is a practice that allows us to transcend the immediate struggles of life and move toward a deeper, eschatological vision of hope.

Rev. Dr. Inkpin beautifully described this waiting as "circling onward, spiraling toward a center out ahead," a process that draws us into seasons of "revolving hope." She reminded the congregation that this kind of waiting is not about avoiding the pain and injustice of the world but about engaging with it from a place of divine patience and love. It is, as she put it, "beautifully subversive" and "beautifully queer," for it speaks to the deepest longings for true love, transcendent joy, and profound communion.

Rev. Dr. Inkpin's sermon was also deeply personal, reflecting on her own journey as a transgender priest and her experiences growing up in a divided and oppressive society. She spoke of the walls she has encountered—walls of sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and imperialism—and the bridges she has sought to build in response. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the Good Friday Agreement in Ireland, she highlighted moments of profound change that have shaped her understanding of hope and resilience.

Her reflections on her ministry were both candid and hopeful. She acknowledged the challenges of serving in a time of institutional decline and systemic dysfunction within the church but also celebrated the transformative power of love and community. She expressed gratitude for the many people who have inspired her and stood with her in the struggle for justice and inclusion.

A recurring theme in Rev. Dr. Inkpin's sermon was the call to build bridges rather than walls. She drew on the imagery of Pink Floyd's The Wall, reminding the congregation that while walls may fall, the work of building bridges is ongoing. "To be bridges," she said, "is a great thing, even if bridges are walked on and sometimes blown up." She celebrated the role of Pitt Street Uniting Church as a place of freedom and possibility, a community committed to addressing walls, building bridges, and embodying the love of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Inkpin also reflected on her role as a bridge herself—between traditions, cultures, and identities. She shared the story of a photograph taken of her as part of an exhibition celebrating Queensland women, titled Illuminary. The image, she explained, symbolized her vocation as a light for others, particularly for those on the margins. It was a reminder of the power of waiting with desire and the hope that comes from living into the love of God.

As she concluded her sermon, Rev. Dr. Inkpin left the congregation with a powerful message of hope and resilience. She reminded them that even in the darkest times, the light of Christ is present within us, calling us to wait with desire and to act with love. Quoting the English progressive folk-rock band Amazing Blondel, she urged everyone to "light up all your candles, keep the vigil tonight, praying for salvation, for it's always just in sight."

For those who were present, Rev. Dr. Inkpin's sermon was a moment of profound inspiration. As The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG shared, "On this occasion, I wished the sermon had gone on longer!" Her words continue to resonate, reminding us all of the power of love, the importance of waiting with desire, and the call to be bridges of hope in a divided world. May her message continue to bless and guide all who heard it, encouraging them to carry the light of love and hope into their own lives and communities.