Aloha Friends,

Some of you may have heard by now that the United Methodist Church, the largest mainline protestant christian denomination in the United States, voted on Monday to continue its ban on performing same-sex weddings and allowing openly gay clergy to serve their churches. Many people throughout the world hold strong opinions on this, but right down the street, at Harris United Methodist Church, hearts are breaking.

As one of our partners and allies on a wide range of justice issues, Harris has literally marched shoulder to shoulder with us in the Pride Parade and the Martin Luther King, Jr. March. And they are opening their doors and their courtyard to all who are struggling with what their wider church continues to tell the world about the sanctity, worth, and dignity of every human heart. They will hold a worship service to help to heal this hurt tonight, Thursday at 6 pm at Harris United Methodist Church.

Pastor Rona specifically invited our community to be with them. As friends who lead the way on many justice issues, Unitarian Universalist congregations have been ordaining openly gay clergy for decades. And this particular church helped to make same-sex marriage a reality of our faith lived out in the public square.

I know that our neighbors and friends could use our support. Click here for a flier with more information.

And even if you can’t make it, please hold our friends and neighbors who fight with us for freedom in your hearts over the coming months of continued disappointment and debate.

Many blessings,
Rev. T. J.