Pride

Dear Friends in Christ,

The recent conference I attended in Oklahoma was held at Grace Church, Yukon, in the greater Oklahoma City metro area. Grace is a “new” church plant, established ten years ago by the Rev.’s Tim and Kirsten Baer (and yes, a church is still considered “new” church after ten years!). Grace Church’s mission is to provide a place where all people can feel they belong and can experience the love of God. They practice radical hospitality. Their vision statement is, “God’s love is for EVERYONE. Really. No exceptions.” Since their inception they have primarily attracted people who had dropped out of the evangelical church looking for a more inclusive, affirming community.

Faithful Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all of God’s children for nearly a half-century. In 1974, Louie Crew founded Integrity USA, a non-profit organization with the goal of full inclusion of LGBT persons in The Episcopal Church, and the 1976 General convention adopted resolutions stating that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church”

Here in the Bay Area, we are so used to LGBTQI people being an integral part of our faith communities, active in leadership and serving as our clergy, it is easy to forget that this isn’t the case everywhere. Especially at Saint Anna’s, with two queer clergy leading our congregation, neither of which are cisgender men. You might be surprised to know that Saint Anna’s is one of only three or four openly affirming churches in East Contra Costa County. It is certainly a surprise to other clergy and congregations in our diocese when I tell them this. Which is why we must not get complacent. It would be too easy to congratulate ourselves on how open and affirming we are, how welcoming and inclusive, and stop wondering if we really are open and affirming and doing the work of being welcoming and inclusive.

At this point in our political climate, when trans rights are being challenged and negated in many states, it is more important than ever to make a stand for the right of people to live fully and completely into the people God made them to be. And so, this year Saint Anna’s will be observing PRIDE month by holding our own PRIDE service on Sunday, June 9th. Through our prayers, scripture, music, and reflections, we will affirm what we, like Grace Church, believe; that all people are made in the image of God, and everyone is God’s beloved child. As Psalm 139 states: “It was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Please join us on June 9th to recognize and celebrate our queer and trans siblings and honor those who continue to fight for full and equal rights.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jane+