NEWSLETTER - JUNE 11/26

Dear friends in Christ,

During the month of June we see an abundance of rainbows, glitter and people bringing attention to PRIDE month. PRIDE originally started as a means to protest and advocate for justice and equal rights for all peoples regardless of who they love and over the years has been fraught with much resistance from both the secular and church communities. And I fully admit that even today, PRIDE and all that goes along with the Queer, Trans and entire LGBTQIA2S+ community is complex, complicated and can lead to conflict especially for those of us in the world of Church.

There is so much information out there about PRIDE, faith, God and scripture.  Some if it has been helpful, but historically much of it was condemning, based around 6 primary passages taken entirely out of context which are deemed, ‘clobber texts’. These passages have been used as a means to control and condemn those who are different. And what astounds me isn’t that some Christians take these verses seriously, its that these six highly debated, historically contested passages are often treated as the clearest and most important texts in the bible. And yet – the God that we meet time and time again throughout scripture, is always calls us to radical hospitality, to love one another, to welcome the stranger, and to make space and have grace for knowing that ALL are beloved and bare the image of God – no matter how we are created or who we love.

And so during the month of June – when you see the rainbows, see PRIDE events, hear shaming, condemning or hateful comments – let us remember that our God is a God of rainbows, a God of diversity and wonder, a God who is dynamic and 3in1. And as people of this wonderful God we are called to stand Love regardless of gender or ethnicity, of sexuality or race – Because all bare the image of the Holy, and all are welcome at God’s table.

Let us pray,

Loving God, You made humanity in your likeness. Each and every human identity, – we ALL bear Your sacred image. Press us, compel us, inspire us to fully live into the power and beauty of this truth every day, so that we continue to make space and offer grace to all peoples to find their place in our midst in this place. In the name of the extravagantly loving, table turning, disruptive one we call Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Reading 1:  Jean

June 14^th - Sandra - Morning Prayer

June 21^st - Rev. Kirsten - Eucharist

June 28^th - Sandra - Morning Prayer

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE PARISH SUNDAY ROSTER: