JUNE 2025

Why Are We an Open and Affirming Church? 

"Open and affirming” is the language the UCC faith community uses to recognize that LGBTQIA+ people are loved by God and deserve respect, regardless of whom they love or how they identify with their gender. 

PGCUCC is an "open and affirming" church. We believe in the inclusivity of God's love, seek to create a welcoming environment for all, and recognize the value of diversity within the church and broader society. This is one of many ways we live out our faith, reflecting the teachings of Jesus. 

Celebrating Pride Month puts Jesus' teachings to love all God's creation into action. God loves all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride Month is a time to acknowledge the ongoing struggle for human rights that LGBTQIA+ people face, especially within Christian spaces. Being an Open and Affirming church aligns us with that struggle. PGCUCC strives to create a space where all members feel welcome, respected, and valued. We work to combat prejudice and discrimination. Embracing diversity enriches our spiritual life and better reflects God's love for everyone.  

-          Mary Cassidy-Anger

JUNE 2025 - PRIDE MONTH

·         Pride Month, celebrated in June, commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It began as a series of marches and demonstrations one year after the Stonewall riots, which marked a turning point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement. 

·         The first Pride parade was held on June 28, 1970, the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. 

·         The UCC recognizes the fourth Sunday of June as Open and Affirming Sunday.

Throughout the United Church of Christ, Pride Month is a time to acknowledge the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity that LGBTQIA+ individuals face, especially within Christian spaces, while uplifting a community shaped by love and joy through a wide variety of identities and expressions.

"Open and affirming” is the common language that we in the UCC faith community use to demonstrate that a church not only recognizes that LGBTQ people deserve respect, but also the affirmation that they are equally loved by God, regardless of who they love or how they identify with their gender.   

https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/wider-church-ministries/gsjm/lgbtqia/lgbt_ona/

PGCUCC is an "open and affirming" church because we believe in the inclusivity of God's love, seek to create a welcoming environment for all, and recognize the value of diversity within the church and broader society. It is one of many ways we live out our faith that reflects the teachings of Jesus, who welcomed all.

God loves all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and the church should reflect this love in its practice. We believe that Jesus' actions and teachings demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and welcoming of all people. Celebrating Pride Month is another way we try to follow Jesus’ example and live out our faith in a way that reflects his love and compassion.

Being an Open and Affirming church is also one way we promote social justice and advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. 

PGCUCC strives to create a space where all members, including LGBTQ+ individuals, feel welcome, respected, and valued, and we actively work to combat prejudice and discrimination. 

We recognize the importance of a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and loved. By embracing diversity, the church's life is enriched and better reflects God's love for the world. 

Prayer for Transformation and New Life (Confession)

Loving God, sometimes we have dishonored ourselves and others in our longing to fit in and to be accepted.  At times we have rejected the individuality of others.  Sometimes we have allowed the pressure to be popular cause us to bully ourselves and others. Occasionally we have been silent when we have witnessed people being dishonored because of their truth.  Please change our hearts and help us to love our own humanity and the awesomeness of other humans.  Please help us forgive ourselves for the harsh things that we have said and thought about ourselves and others.  Each person is a unique and beautiful expression of God’s divine light and love.  We confess that we forget this sometimes and pray that you help us too do better. Starting now.

https://openandaffirming.org/resources/worship/open-and-affirming-sunday/

-          Mary Cassidy-Anger

June 2025 - Stewardship Moment

A STEWARDSHIP thought

What Am I All About?!

“Compassion will help us if we let it.

Selfishness will bury us if we permit it.

Kindness will save us if we accept it.

Acceptance will unite us if we practice it!”

(Credit to Rev. Beverly Markham)

For this Stewardship moment in the Beacon, I thought Beverly’s idea very succinct for this time in our church life. Goodness knows, politics is stretching and stressing us daily.

As many congregants leave for other climates, we CUCC members and friends here for the summer will keep our church doors open to all in your absence.

- Judy Bloomquist