My name is Sorrel (they/them) and I am the human behind the generous pine. You may have known me as Rachel Virginia Hester at some point. Welcome!
I am a 29 year old Afro-Panamanian-American writer and thinker in the southern United States. I am learning how to be a lover and a be-er. I am queer and non-binary. I am a Christian and I am passionate about literature that feels like friendship.
You may be asking yourself, why is my blog called the generous pine? Well. I have always found comfort and inspiration in pine trees. Trees, in general, have always represented to me beauty and grace. Pine trees, in particular, are embedded into my psyche as symbols of refuge and affirmation. These trees were there for me in my times of distress as well as the times I have dreamed dreams under their shade.
As a person of faith and an artist, I believe that human beings can be sources of refuge and advocacy for one another. I hope that my life will model the kindness of pine trees. My desire for this carving of public space is that it might be an affirming space to dream of and pursue abundant life. I hope you will find something you can connect with here.
Where I’ve Been Interviewed
The Rachel Virginia Hester / Justice Work Sucks / #Exvangelical Jawn (2019)
The Jesus Jawn by Lenny Duncan & Jason Chesnut
Resipiscence Lenten Devotional: Looking for Treasure (March 8th, 2019)
The Transform Network Podcast
Grief, Agency and the Power of Lament (2017)
Queerology Podcast with Matthias Roberts
Detoxify Christianity Panels: Detoxify God, Detoxify Worship, Detoxify Solidarity (2017)
featured on: Red Letter Christians
Presentations I’ve Completed
Ace-traodinary Love: Asexual and Aromantic Identities and the Image of God
The Reformation Project Conference — Orlando, FL (October 2018)
Creating Just Emotional Environments in Social Justice Organizing
Prophetic Imagination Conference — Minneapolis, MN (September 2018)
How Long Til We are Healed?: Pursuing Emotional Justice in Intersectional LGBTQ+ Activism //
The Reformation Project Conference — Chicago, IL (October 2017)
The Generous Pine 