Hello fellow faithful and friends!
I’ve been asked to write a few words explaining why, after a 2-year Pride Parade hiatus due to Covid-19, I’ve volunteered again as Point-of-Contact and general logistics support for the Episcopal contingent in the annual Seattle Pride Parade. (Sponsored by the Diocese of Olympia.) I don’t especially like logistics. I’m not especially good at managing them. And as a hide-in-the-wool introvert, I don't generally seek more phone calls or emails.
But that all changes each June! Because each June is such a great opportunity to let the LGBTQIA+ community know that there’s an organized church who Walks Jesus' Talk. We live the words of Jesus, as well as pray them. Words like: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12); “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39); “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me” (Matthew 10:40); and even “Love your enemies” … “for if you love only those who love you, what reward do you have?” (Matthew 5:44, 46)
The Episcopal Church is the first organized religion that treated me, as an LGBTQIA+ person, the way that Jesus says to treat each other.
Before that, my experience was with people who said they followed Jesus, but actually acted quite differently: marginalizing, maligning, excluding, and at worse persecuting and even harming people like me.
The Episcopal Church extending Jesus’ radical welcome to all, including the LGBTQIA+ community, changed everything for me. And I know it will for others, too. (It has; I’ve seen it happen!) That’s why I am so enthused about this annual opportunity to tout and celebrate our truly loving, liberating, and life-giving church.
In addition, the Pride Parade’s a blast! Especially when you march with the faithful, and friends. Who knew evangelizing could be so much fun?
Please join us for the time of your life – and the chance to change a few, too!
-Sue
ECWW Point-of-Contact (POC)
Seattle Pride Parade 2022
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