06/13/2026
We've added something new to our Pride celebrations this year. Our large Christ Candle (which is lit every time we celebrate Holy Communion to remind us of the various ways Jesus is with us in this world) has gone on vacation for the month. Instead, we have set out a rainbow candle that we will light for each service during Pride Month. This candle is lit to remind us of those who never or still don't have the opportunity to express themselves freely, safely, and with affirmation. The candle reminds us of the humongous number of people in the LGBT community who were taken all-too-soon and often all-too-cruelly by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The candle reminds us of all the times the church has hurt, minimized, and dismissed those who couldn't change, even if they tried, and how we are people responsible for working to change those things.
This month the rainbow candle is a reminder of both grief and loss, but also a call to live our faith to its fullest every day and for every person.
