Most churches have written on their sign out front or in their bulletin that “All are Welcome” with the best of intentions. However, just being inviting is only a start to making all God’s people feel welcomed in our churches.
LGBTQ individuals have faced generations of being excluded from the life of the church and, by extension, from a Christian relationship with God. We have been ignored, condemned, excluded and persecuted all supposedly in the name of Christianity. It takes courage to for an LGBTQ person to walk through the doors of a church, any church, including our church. Why would it be different at ELPC than in most other houses of worship? Well, it is different here. We seek to reflect God’s inclusive love to all of God’s people.
To demonstrate our radical hospitality it helps to have a visual reminder …something that we can actually show our welcoming love to one another and clearly to those who visit. Being that the rainbow flag is the most recognized symbol of LGBTQ support and inclusion, we have asked the congregation to consider wearing a rainbow ribbon while at ELPC. Both gay and straight individuals wear this ribbon as a witness of support and inclusion.
In the pews at ELPC you will find a bookmark with a rainbow ribbon attached to the top. One side of the bookmark offers a pledge you are asked to consider before wearing the ribbon. The other side offers some information about our new LGBTQ Ministry at ELPC. This ribbon and this ministry is for all of us, regardless of orientation. Those who have a nametag already may prefer to have a rainbow sticker instead, so they will be available by the hanging nametags both at Journey and in the Narthex.
The rainbow ribbons will be available for those who want to show their support. They will be there for visitors. They will be there in the pews and on our shirts as a public witness to our visitors and to one another that at ELPC all people are welcomed and loved and that God’s love excludes no one.
Blessings!
Wil Forrest