June 28, 2009

Reconciling in Christ Sunday

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. These riots started the gay rights movement that continues even today as our GLBTQ friends fight to be accepted as they are.

Today my church, the United Church of Rogers Park celebrated 'Reconciling Sunday.' This event involved celebrating how our church is open and affirming of people who identify as GLBTQ and they announced that they will be replacing the big pink triangle that has hung on the outside of the church and is definitely beginning to show its age with a new installation. They will be having a design contest to get the GLBTQ community involved and the winner's design will be made into a new symbol to announce our church's open and affirmingness.

This triangle is something that made me come to this church originally. Though I do not identify as GLBTQ, I know that I could never attend a church where my friends were not also welcome as they are. I get frustrated with churches that are teaching messages of hate for the GLBTQ community when the church is supposed to be all about love. The Bible says "God is love" (1 John 4:8b) and if we are not loving our brothers and sisters, we are not loving God. I want to worship in a place that is filled with God and filled with love and so I must attend a place where all are accepted no matter what.


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