June 5th - Pride Month

We are now in the month of June, the month that in recent years has been referred to as Pride Month.  In light of this, Naheed Nenshi, NDP leader in Alberta, posted on Facebook that “Alberta is seeing growing attacks on 2SLGTBQ+ communities and warns that recent moves targeting trans rights are only the beginning”.  What surprised me was the type of responses and replies to his post.  Many either wanted to argue with his statement or simply come back at him with personal attacks.  I was appalled and embarrassed as a citizen of Alberta.  I also began to experience seeds of fear being planted within me as a member of the 2SLGTBQ+ living in Alberta.

 These reactions to his post clearly illustrate the ongoing need for Pride Month, the ongoing need to advocate for the human rights of queer people. This includes the right to not have their identity challenged or maligned, the right to be respected as a person of worth and value, and the right to be accepted and included.  This also includes the right to marry the person they love.  Sadly, much of the opposition to Pride Month and the queer community is coming from conservative and evangelical Christians and their churches.  

The sign in front of our church now reads “We Are Different In A Good Way”.  As an Affirming Congregation for nearly 20 years, MWUC is a welcoming and inclusive community of faith that challenges the traditional Christian attack on and oppression of the 2SLGTBQ+ community.  We swim against the current of homophobia wrapped in faith. 

This Sunday we are celebrating Pride Sunday.  Although the majority of our members are straight, we are people of faith who seek to be allies of and stand with the marginalized and oppressed, including the 2SLGTBQ+ community.  We will light a rainbow of candles and celebrate a Renaming Ceremony for a transgender member of our community of faith.  You do not have to put on your rainbow socks to be part of the celebration.  Just come and join us. 

I hope to see you on Sunday.

Shalom,

The Rev. Dr. Dale W. Johnson