St. Andrew's letter to the community for Pride and beyond

Dear Friends and Neighbors in North Portland,

This Pride month, our congregation at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church amplifies our welcome and appreciation for queer folk and all those who love them. Glory! You are wonderfully made.

These are hard days. In times when the state legislates hate, the church is called to practice the liberating, all-embracing, nonjudgmental love of Christ. And so, in response to the attempted erasure of queer people and especially of trans kids in the recent national narrative, we say: this is wrong.

We say: we receive and affirm our holiness in the vision of our God and Creator, and no law or politician can diminish it. We say: we are all, every one of us, created in the image of God. 

Transformation is at the heart of our faith, and we honor and rejoice in the life stories of all who have been (and are being) transfigured into their most authentic and true selves. Transfiguration is a spiritual practice most of us hold in common, whether or not it is evident in our outward appearance.

We, the community of St Andrew’s, pray for the transformation of fear into love. We pray for the safety and flourishing of trans and genderqueer and nonbinary kids and adults in this dangerous time. We pray in thanks that we get to live and worship and in this community of North Portland. Happy Pride, everyone.

Sincerely,

Reverend Jennifer M Creswell

and the congregation of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church