Pastoral Letter Regarding a Recent Act of Vandalism at the Church

Dear Church Members and Friends,

At some point between the late afternoon of January 19th, and the morning of January 20th, the Pride Flag displayed on church property was vandalized. An individual climbed over the chain-link fence and slashed the flag almost in half.

This incident has been reported to the police, and will be reported to our city and state representatives. Please stand assured that this hateful and cowardly act will not deter us from supporting our LGBTQ+ siblings rights to dignity and community. LGBTQ+ people will continue to be welcomed into our church community with their whole selves. You are valued, and your identity is a blessing. 

Our faith calls us to love our neighbor. However, that love cannot be a disembodied sentimentality. Love is an action. The actions we choose today are to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, to honor their experience and their gifts, and to pursue a more just and inclusive world.

A new flag has been ordered and will arrive next week. It will be installed as soon as the weather allows it to be done safely. Until then, the vandalized flag will remain in place as a signal of our resolve.

Please feel free to reach out to me for support as we all process this incident. Intimidation is often the point of such an act, and feelings of fear in response are entirely normal. We, as a spiritual community, have an opportunity now to support each other in whatever this brings up for us. 

The work continues. As always, it is a joy to serve this community, even in difficult times.

Blessings,

Rev. Shada Sullivan

Pastor

(revshada@gmail.com)