How long has your church (or you) participated in the Pride weekend? What triggered that participation?
Brown: We have been part of Pride for 6 years – starting the summer after we became a Reconciling Congregation. We shared a booth for 5 of those years with Bear Creek UMC but didn’t participate in the parade. This year we are delighted that there is a coalition of King County Reconciling Congregations and individuals who have joined together for a mass witness on behalf, not of our individual churches, but for United Methodists for full inclusion. I’m excited for the large presence in the parade and the partnership in staffing our booth. We will have people walking in the parade and staffing the booth.
Speer: My family joined Wallingford United Methodist Church in 1986, and I believe the church had an existing presence at Pride through its relationship with the group Affirmation. That momentum led to our evolving and increasing level of participation. For at least the last ten years we’ve had an organized presence by marching as a church under our own banner and hosting a booth at PrideFest.
Staley: This is Bothell’s first year of involvement. A few months ago we approved a “Welcome Statement” as part of our move towards affiliation with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). Since all Seattle District Methodists were invited to march under one Untied Methodist banner, it seemed an appropriate time for Bothell United Methodist Church folks to show our allegiance with our United Methodist brothers and sisters in Christ who have already affiliated with RMN.
Weber: I know Trinity participated for the past 3 years but I don’t know about before that. And two women in my church marched as a part of an ecumenical group well over a decade ago.) This is the first year we are doing a joint United Methodist Pride presence. Trinity and Wallingford have been the only ones marching in the parade for a few years and this was the first year that we were able to connect around having a joint venture. And the timing was right. After an invitational email, a few churches joined in and before we knew it, over twelve churches became involved in worship, marching, providing hospitality and staffing an informational booth.
What an uplifting story. Thanks for sharing it.
Hooray, maybe we can stop discriminating against people. I pray we don’t find anyone else to discriminate against in the name of religion or anything else. I believe any judgement, pentenance or conversion if appropriate for anyone, should be between God and the individual, not legislated by church or government. We are called to love people, that’s all! Not say how they should live, leave that up to God and enjoy the diversity all people offer us. Talk about saving lives, true acceptance without agreeing or disagreeing about life style, will save lives. Whatever you do to these you do unto me, said Jesus. Stop crucifying Him.
As one who is perfectly satisfied with the current position of the United Methodist Church regarding the worth of homosexual people AND the statement that the practice of homosexuality is contrary to Christian teaching, I think it is GREAT that members of The United Methodist Church were present to extend hospitality to parade participants. The “Christians” who were shouting at the beginning of the parade were doing a disservice to Christ and His church.
During the last year, I have been repeatedly called “hateful” and “unloving” by other United Methodist Christians (members of the reconciling movement) on social media because of my vocal support for our current United Methodist position. I have ACTUALLY been blocked on Twitter by @RMNetwork. I wish those in the reconciling movement would demonstrate as much respect and kindness toward those who adhere to the traditional interpretation of Christian scripture as they do toward those who flaunt their sinful behavior. .
Holly, thanks for the comment. I certainly can’t comment on a situation (re: RMN) without first hand information but I think there is a great point to be made about generosity and hospitality towards those who hold differing opinions. We are all too easily tempted to put others is boxes and paint those boxes in unflattering colors.
[…] Pride Parade June 28, downtown Seattle Bake and pass out cookies to parade viewers and marchers, or Come for exercise and fellowship while marching under the UMC banner! There are many ways you can help out, check them out at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fQk5ArCLDo-PyQail4Ukx5dY5-0yilN5J5_kgH4ZW-E/viewform […]
[…] Pride Parade June 28, downtown Seattle Bake and pass out cookies to parade viewers and marchers, or Come for exercise and fellowship while marching under the UMC banner! There are many ways you can help out, check them out at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fQk5ArCLDo-PyQail4Ukx5dY5-0yilN5J5_kgH4ZW-E/viewform […]