Love Always Wins

Dear ones,

I discovered this morning that someone had slashed our Pride banners hanging on Gregory Lane in front of the church. I am sad, angry, and yet not entirely surprised, given the way these hateful acts seem to be more acceptable and even encouraged in our current climate.

Here’s what remains absolutely true though: we welcome all people at Church of the Resurrection, period. Given the oppression that LGBTQ+ folks have (and obviously continue!) to face, both within and beyond Christianity, we make our welcome to the queer community as explicit as we possibly can. It is a bedrock belief here in our community that LBGTQ+ people are made in the image of God and that their love is holy and good. Slashing a sign cannot diminish our love for one another or our welcome of friend and stranger — if anything, this act reminds us just how important this welcome is, and it emboldens us to share God’s inclusive love more loudly, more boldly, and more fabulously.

I long to be able to have a real conversation with the person who did this. If it was you, please reach out to me, truly. My hunch is that you are afraid, hurting, have been taught to hate yourself, or feel like there’s no place for you. I would love to support you in healing, connecting, and learning how much God loves you and also how unnecessary this violence is. Since the act was anonymous, I can only share publicly in the hopes that it might somehow reach you. Whoever you are, know that we belong to each other, that our community will be praying for you, and that I desperately hope we can learn to live in peace together.

It may take a while sometimes, but love will always win.

Grace and peace to you,

Liz+