Under sunny to threatening skies, under a loaned canopy, and under the banner of Hope Church, seventeen members took PRIDE in establishing our booth for equality.
It was Saturday, June 28, at Centennial Park in Holland. We were not alone. Holland is Ready was there, PFLAG, four other area churches, food booths (from Thai to yogurt), Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Herman Miller, and forty more companies and agencies supporting the second outdoor PRIDE Festival- double the previous year’s number of booths!
In addition to the greater number of booths, there was also an increase in the number of people who attended the event. People looked, searched, talked, asked, shared, congregated, listened to hours of live music, met friends, picked up information and mementos, or moved cautiously about.
People came for various purposes, needs, struggles, desiring to be affirming, wanting to understand, hoping for positiveness, seeking assurances, declaring God’s Love and Presence through their own love and presence.
Most came for very personal motives- or with very personal fears and hurts. For example, my niece attended the event with her partner. My niece, who has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary, was dismissed from her eight years of pastoral work at a California church after she “came out.” She brought with her to the Festival her 13 year-old niece, my grandniece, who is currently facing the reality that she is lesbian, and is deeply troubled, despairing. I am grateful that my grandniece could witness a cordial, aware, accepting and affirming community blooming in the Park.
A variety of people came; inquiring people, celebrating people, joyous
people, affirming people, unsure people, people seeking spiritual kinship. Other people were there too. A few on the corner carrying judgment-heavy signs, or at the booths pressing their Biblical literalisms and conversing disparaging “choices”.
Hope Church was there, through our representatives, our handout materials, our ready and steady stance for “totally unconditional love includes all people.” We were there sharing the spirit of Hope Church and the love of God with all of God’s children.
Written by Earl Laman