SPECIAL WELCOME, PASTOR NATHAN ADAMS!
Rainbow Alliance leaders Sharon Collins, Michael Lockwood, Barbara Driscoll and Cynthia Metzger Phipps met with Pastor Nathan over dinner a few weeks ago to get to know one another and “dream and scheme,” as Pastor Nathan joyfully related the following Sunday, about the near-future vision for Rainbow Alliance.
We are elated to welcome Pastor Nathan as our Lead Pastor to Christ Church. We are indeed blessed by association with him. Pastor Nathan and Rainbow Alliance have committed to support each other in the calling to always speak the truth about the Divine Love of Lord Jesus, which is without condition. Together, we will make the mission and initiatives of Rainbow Alliance known within our church, our community and our conference.
A Blessing for Safety
Mother God, your tender arms surround me on all sides.
Your strength is true.
I surrender to You.
Into your perfect motherly arms.
-- Sharon Collins
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SOMETHING TO PONDER: HOW CAN WE GROW?
Our current message series at Christ Church focuses on the discipleship practice to GROW intentionally to reflect the love, hope and joy of Jesus Christ to our community. How can we grow intentionally in the context of our commitment to affirming and advocating for LGBTQ+ persons?
It starts with curiosity – an opening in our minds and hearts compels us to learn, to ask questions, and yearn for deeper ways to relate to others. But we only know what we know; and conversely, we don’t know what we don’t know.
Therefore, to grow the seed of curiosity into the fruits of empathy, compassion, community, and unconditional love, we must first endeavor to gain knowledge about the lives, language, culture, and contexts of those in the LGBT+ community. To love your neighbor as yourself means to consider the life experience of every person as valid and as precious as your own.
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FUN FACTS
It is interesting to note that even those who identify as part of the LGBT+ community can also learn to cultivate greater inclusiveness. For example, an individual who identifies as an “L” (lesbian) will not necessarily innately understand what it’s like to be “T” (transgender). To add more nuance, “transgender” refers to an entire umbrella of gender-diverse identities.
How wonderful is the creation of God!
And did you know that the “A” in LGBTQIA+ may refer to one or more of at least four identities (can you guess what those are)? There is much to learn about the rich, dynamic diversity of human experience! God, who is omnipresent, manifests creation in infinite ways. Praise be to God!
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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
In the coming months, Rainbow Alliance plans educational opportunities for the community to learn about the LGBT+ community and its history, to witness to individual experiences, and to gather to discuss what we have learned from selected media, such as books or films.
What questions do you have?
What would you like to learn more about?
Are there things you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask?
Please ask!
Rainbow Alliance is eager to share our understanding, knowledge and experience with you. You are safe with us.
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FUN TIMES
Rainbow Alliance will host Holy Grounds on Sunday, October 9, at 10am. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to invite anyone you know who is seeking a safe, inclusive and loving community.
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FILM & ICE CREAM OUTINGS
OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival of Fort Lauderdale
We plan to attend four films:
Then, email Rainbow Alliance at info@christchurch.org to tell us which film you plan to see. We will connect with you and meet you there!
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FASHION
Be out and proud to represent the Christ Church Rainbow Alliance! We invite you to purchase Rainbow Alliance gear by clicking on image at left. The next time you serve in the church or community, wear your Rainbow Alliance shirt to share our message of inclusion, affirmation and love. You never know how meaningful seeing that representation could be to someone who is in need of a spiritual or emotional boost.
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RESOURCES
Are you, or someone in your life, questioning your/their sexuality or gender identity? Are you living (partially) in the closet and want to be free? Are you struggling with homophobia or transphobia, either internalized or externalized? You are not alone. Rainbow Alliance and Pastor Nathan are here to support you. We will be there for you – personally and spiritually. We will make connections to refer you to additional helpful resources.
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BUILDING RELATIONSHIP WITH
STONEWALL NATIONAL MUSEUM & ARCHIVES
It takes a village to raise the collective consciousness of inclusive, unconditional love. Christ Church has recently joined “Circle of Pride,” a community-wide effort initiated by Stonewall National Museum & Archives (SNMA) in Fort Lauderdale. Circle of Pride is a growing community of LGBT+ or allied organizations and businesses from across the nation and world leading up to National Coming Out Day -- October 11, 2022 -- to demonstrate that no matter where you live, there is someone who has your back.
If you are interested in volunteering to help network to expand Circle of Pride, please contact Rainbow Alliance Leader Sharon Collins at skocollins@gmail.com.
Rainbow Alliance hopes to further cultivate a collaborative relationship with SNMA to expand opportunities for fellowship and education. Note that SNMA has begun to host “Donuts-Conversation-Bring Your Own Coffee” events on occasional Saturdays, 11:30am – 1:30pm. The idea is to provide a safe space, a “village green” if you will, where folks can talk about anything on their minds.
All are welcome, and there is no fee. It’s an opportunity to cultivate community and to take in the unique and outstanding resources and exhibits at SNMA.
Click here for details about the next Donuts and Conversation on Saturday, October 1, at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. Eventually, the Rainbow Alliance hopes to host similar gather-and-chat community events at Christ Church. Movie night, anyone?
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A PRAYER TO PURIFY THE HEART
You are the infinite space between atoms composing the body!
There is nowhere You are not!
How, therefore, can hate live in my heart.
You are not detectable by the senses.
You are beyond the greatest imaginings of the mind.
You are beyond both knowledge and ignorance.
The senses, mind, and intellect
Are instruments in Your Divine Hand.
You are the fragrance in every flower.
Your fragrance wafts through my heart.
Wherever I go, You are.
-- Sharon Collins
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