This week our bulletin cover, which you see above, is a piece of art by beloved parishioner Bill Doughty.  Darkness Shall Not Overcome , as Bill entitles it, was created in the wake of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida in June 2016. "It means," Bill explains, "that, not just LGBT people, but  all  of us together will assure that the promises of the rainbow will prevail." This week in particular, I am grateful for this rainbow promise, which is that God does not leave us even in times of doubt and fear.

This promise is one that I needed to be reminded of this week as our news feeds have shown us the countless children contained behind fences in what appears to be old retail stores or gymnasiums along our border. The photos many of us have seen depict children scared, confused, and unsure of how they got there, where their parents or loved ones are, and when relief might come. Being in the office this week, I've heard the cries of children in the neighboring school as they experience -- possibly for the first time -- separation from their parents for just a few hours of summer camp. Unlike the children on our border, these children will go home at the end of the morning to the comfort and love of their parents. Those on the border have no such security.

The rainbow promise is a reminder that God is the very foundation of love, and big enough to hold all of us together. The rainbow reminds us that God's presence is with us to the very end -- even when laws break us, and the maliciousness of people seems against us. The rainbow reminds us that in the end, love will have the final word.

This Sunday, St. Augustine's celebrates Pride Sunday. We celebrate the presence and love of LGBTQIA persons in our lives; we recall the struggles many have faced in the wake of transphobia and homophobia; and we pray for a better and more accepting world for everyone. Two special things will be happening this Sunday: First, St. Augustine's will be presented with a framed print of Bill Doughty's  Darkness Shall Not Overcome, which will be hung in Puhlman Hall. We thank Bill for this lovely gift, as well as Verlin Fraser, Mary Senn, and Bruce Caris, who have worked with Bill to secure this treasure in our space. Second, St. Augustine's will be participating in the Pride Parade with the Diocese of Chicago. Everybody is invited to join us! Please see below for details.

What a joy it is to be with you and celebrate the promises of God's love, the very foundation of our faith.

In Christ,

AMS+

Weather permitting, we will worship Sunday mornings at 8am at  Gillson Park, Picnic Area #2 (on the left, just past the Coast Guard station, from the entrance opposite the Bahá'i Temple), June 24 - September 2. This is a casual, come-as-you-are gathering outside in the glory of God's creation. Bring your favorite beach chair and plan to stay afterwards for Bagels on the Beach. On Sundays when the weather doesn't hold, we will move our early Eucharist to Puhlman Hall, back at the church. Please c heck our Facebook page in case of inclement weather.  Our 9:30 service  in the main church continues throughout the summer as well, followed every week with Lemonade on the Lawn in St. A's courtyard.  If you would like to host  Lemonade on the Lawn  or  Bagels on the Beach  this summer, please click on the link. There are still a few available dates!