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Dear Beloved Passing the Peace Readers,

Happy Pride! It’s hard to believe that what once started as a riot on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots), in New York, is now a month-long celebration held all over the world where people gather to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ experiences and celebrate the diversity of gender identities and sexual orientations. Or perhaps, as Christians, we aren’t so surprised that from the ashes of state-based violence a movement of love and acceptance can emerge.

You’ll get to hear more about my own experiences as we celebrate Pride together during worship this Sunday so I thought it would be powerful to share with you the voices of some of my friends whose faith has been both challenged and strengthened in their journeys of coming out as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

This blog post was written by my former colleague from the General Council Office of The United Church, Jordan Sullivan. Click here to read his heartwarming story about returning home to his childhood Seventh Day Adventist Church after coming out as transgender and why he celebrates Pride. 

My friend Heather Beamish has taken her experiences of having to leave her role as a youth pastor when coming out and turned it into some really beautiful poetry. You can watch her poem “Homecoming” here. 

Click here to read the latest statement from The United Church of Canada in regards to a homophobic bill recently passed in Uganda. I give thanks for the wider witness of The United Church and ask that you join me in praying for the LGBTQ+ communities in Uganda. 

As we affirm and celebrate that each of us are made in the image of God, may the Peace of Christ be with you this Pride month!

 

Yours in Christ,

Rev Michiko