LGBTQ at All Saints

Check it out, friends ... our Diocese of Los Angeles features a sermon a week on its website under the heading "Compelling Preaching" ... and take a look whose sermon is featured this week!
https://diocesela.org/

An update from the June 13 Vestry Meeting of All Saints Church.

The Vestry of All Saints Church unanimously adopted a Resolution Condemning Anti-Trans and Other Anti-LGBTQ Legislation at its June 13, 2023 meeting. The resolution included:

All Saints Church condemns all anti-LGBTQ legislation as a grave injustice, an assault on the inherent worth and dignity of LGBTQ persons, and a threat to the freedom and survival of LGBTQ persons; and be it further

Resolved, that All Saints Church will oppose the enactment of anti-trans and other anti-LGBTQ legislation at the local, state, and federal levels and will support trans and other LGBTQ persons harmed by such legislation to the best of our ability; and be it further

Resolved, that All Saints Church applauds resolutions of the wider Episcopal Church in support of LGBTQ and particularly trans people, and further urges the Episcopal Church at the parish and diocesan as well as wider church levels to join with us in condemning anti-trans and other anti-LGBTQ legislation and in supporting trans and other LGBTQ persons harmed by such legislation.

Read the full resolution here ...https://allsaints-pas.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Transgender-Resolution-0623_FINAL.pdf ... and give thanks for the leadership of All Saints Church as it continues to live into its DNA as a "first responder church" running toward whatever threatens any member of the human family as we continue to grow into the Beloved Community we aspire to be.

On this first day of Pride Month 2023, we stand with Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood – the latest target of the escalating nationwide assault on members of the LGBTQ+ community. It is part of a rising tide of monetized hate -- fueled by election cycle polemic – and it is not only an attack on God’s LGBTQ+ beloved, it is further polarizing and dividing our already fragile democracy. As Episcopalians, we believe it is antithetical to both our core American value of liberty and justice for all and our core Christian value of respecting the dignity of every human being – and that whenever we stand with those who are being oppressed and marginalized, we are putting our faith into action.

As Thomas Diaz – vice-chair of our Commission on LGBTQ Ministry and a member of All Saints Church in Pasadena – said in a recent interview: “We might have differences in our theology, but we should not have an indifference in the way in which we see the dignity of every human being. And I think that is the most urgent matter at the moment: working together to say that we must respect the dignity of every human being, regardless of our differences. That is what will promote peace and harmony in our nation.”

We cannot engage across the differences that threaten to divide us if we cannot even come together to discuss them – and the protesters in North Hollywood today had one goal: to shut the discussion down by banning conversations that involve LGBTQ+ families, children and youth giving voice to their experience. Recent data from Homeland Security identifies the LGBTQ+ community as currently the hottest target for domestic terrorism – and actions like the one attacking Saticoy Elementary only throw kerosene on the fires of division threatening our nation and our democracy.

As a first responder community of faith, we will continue to run toward whatever and whoever is threatening the Beloved Community we believe God has called us to be. And we give thanks for those at Saticoy Elementary, in the LAUSD and all who stand with LGBTQ+ people targeted by this rising tide of hate.

The Reverend Canon Susan Russell, Canon for Engagement Across Difference
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles: LGBTQ Ministry

[photo: h/t Mike Kinman: Interfaith Leaders standing in solidarity with Saticoy Elementary School, 6/2/23]

Breaking News on the L.A. Pride Front: Get out your marching shoes and plan to get your Pride On with the Diocese of Los Angeles on June 11!

Easter is a season not just a Sunday, and we’re going to celebrate all 50 Days of Easter — starting off on Sunday, April 16 with a visit from one of our favorite friends of All Saints Church, Bishop Gene Robinson. We are thrilled to welcome Bishop Gene back as our Forum speaker at 9:00 a.m. and as our preacher at 10:00 a.m. Details below ...

Sunday After Easter: Bishop Gene Robinson & Annual Meeting (Part Two) - All Saints Church, Pasadena On Sunday, April 16, we are thrilled to welcome back longtime All Saints friend, Bishop Gene Robinson -- as our Forum speaker at 9:00 a.m. and as our preacher at 10:00 a.m. for a festive service which will include the sacrament of Confirmation for both adults and youth in our Seekers program. Then a...

March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility … an annual, international event highlighting and celebrating transgender and non-binary individuals while also fighting for a safer, more just future for all trans people. Join us … in person or in prayer … as we gather with interfaith allies to stand against anti-trans legislation and with the trans community.