Why Pride? (from July 16th, by Mandy Kampen)

By Mandy Kampen

Imago, this weekend we will be hosting a booth at Peoria Pride. For many, many queer Christians, it can be challenging to have a foot in two communities when one has so violently opposed the other.
Imago, we are a people who believe God longs to be in relationship with every single one of us. Humbly, meekly, we enter what a sacred space for the LGBTQ+ folx in our city to be a voice of repentance for all that’s been done out of fear and hatred by Christians throughout history is. 
Imago, by showing up this weekend, you are telling queer people that there is space for them in spiritual community. You are representing all that is good news in our gospel - including the ability to say we have been wrong.
Beatitudes for a queerer church by Jay Hulme
Blessed are the outcasts;
the ostracised, the outsiders.
Blessed are the scared;
the scarred, the silent.
Blessed are the broken;
for they are not broken.
Blessed are the hated;
for they are not worthy of hate.
Blessed are those who try;
those who transform, who transition.
Blessed are the closeted;
God sees you shine anyway.
Blessed are the queers;
who love creation enough to live the truth of it,
despite a world that tells them they cannot.
And blessed are those
who believe themselves unworthy of blessing;
What inconceivable wonders you hold.