All are Welcome Under Our Big Tent
On
June 23rd, 2012, thousands of people streamed into Montrose from all over the
TX-LA area for the annual LGBTQ Pride Festival, and Grace Lutheran was there,
ready to welcome them! The sweltering heat didn't stop the joy of the
people who gathered, but water was for sale in the festival for $3/bottle, and
lines at the porta-potties drive festival goers to neighboring merchants, who
also charged $3 for use of bathrooms. Grace Lutheran, with a prime
location two blocks from the festival entrance, opened its doors to offer
festival-goers free water, bathrooms, Air-conditioning, and a friendly
smile.
Grace has a long tradition of spreading God's love through
dancing in the Pride Parade and greeting people at the festival. This
year Grace's theme for the parade was the Circus, where "All are welcome
under our Big Tent." Grace members and friends happily painted signs
and gave their costumes finishing touches throughout the festival open house,
so festival goers who stopped in for water were often greeted by Pastor Lura in
a rainbow tutu or members sewing lion's ears. Guests enjoyed the playful
atmosphere, and experienced a true, warm welcome!
Joining Grace Lutheran was a group from Light of Christ Lutheran
Church in La Porte, TX. Pastor Gary Morgan-Gohlke and five members of
Light of Christ helped greet visitors, and marched in the parade with Grace.
One magical Holy Spirit moment came when a young woman asked Pastor Lura
"I love that Grace Lutheran is a welcoming congregation in the Montrose,
but what do people like me, who live in Pasedena do, when we need a
congregation that will welcome us? Do we need to drive in all the way to
the Montrose?" Pastor Lura was delighted to be able to turn to
Pastor Gary, right beside her, and say, "No, here is a pastor and a
congregation that would love to have you!"
Grace Lutheran would love to have your congregation join us in
welcoming people next year, so that when someone turns to us and says
"Where can I worship in Bellaire, or Cyprus, or New Orleans..." we'll
be able to introduce you and your pastor to them! Please join us, in
air-conditioned comfort, as we extend hospitality and entertain angels, or even
in the sweltering heat and a silly costume as we dance down the streets of
Montrose in the Parade!
We, as the ELCA,
are a church where all are welcome.
We are justified by grace through faith alone. We are called to love our
neighbors as ourselves. Thank you, Grace Lutheran and Light of Christ for
showing us how to love our neighbors and how to be the church in the
communities in which our churches are placed!
We cannot be
quiet about what we have seen and heard! Acts 4:20
For more about
Grace Lutheran in Houston and their service opportunities, click here
For more on the
ELCA’s Social Statement on Sexuality, click here
Christine
Donahue
TLGCS ELCA
Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com
