By Rev. Kimberly Scott, Desert Southwest UMC Reconciling Ministries
Coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or allied takes bravery, and it takes even more bravery when coming out in the religious community. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, and in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, the Desert Southwest United Methodist Church Reconciling Ministries is hosting #ChurchOut, a creative worship service on Sunday, October 7 (at participating UMC congregations) and a city-wide open expression event at 6:30 PM on Thursday, October 11, at Boycott Bar in Phoenix. Our mission is to create opportunities for compassion and understanding with our sights on reconciling LGBTQ sisters and brothers to faith communities.
Several of our UMC partners will host creative worship experiences on Sunday, October 7. For example, City Square Church, in lieu of a sermon, will feature three curated stories (one as a teenager, one as a minister, and one as a gay couple) about coming out to your faith community. Other partners will provide similar programming during their standard Sunday worship service.
On Thursday, October 11, #ChurchOut will host the city-wide, National Coming Out Day open-expression event at Boycott Bar at 6:30 PM. Calling all LGBTQ and ally musicians, dancers, poets, storytellers, comedians, and any other artists interested in sharing at the celebration. Get there early to sign up on the performers’ list. Rev. Kimberly Scott and Jess Danielle Brown, both African American affirming Christians, are excited to emcee this event.
“Our plans are to host quarterly open expression nights for the LGBTQ community,” said Rev. Kim.
UMC Reconciling Ministries believes #ChurchOut is a great way to illustrate the church’s love for the LGBTQ community. Proof of this love will be evident by:
- Listening to stories by our LGBTQ friends
- Repentance by the church for its callous response to the LGBTQ community
- Commitment to support faith communities that provide safe and affirming space for LGBTQ individuals
Free admission to all #ChurchOut celebrations. For more information, please contact Rev. Kimberly Scott at 602-471-5734 or email pastorkimberly@crossroadsphx.com. #ChurchOut t-shirts are available for purchase at http://www.videogamedame.threadless.com/.
(NOTE: For those of you ready to kick open the closet door, here’s a link to resources on meeting the challenges and opportunities of living openly –https://www.hrc.org/%20resources/national-coming-out-day.)
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#ChurchOut: Stories About Coming Out to Your Faith Community – 10:00 AM, Sunday, Oct. 7, City Square Church, 701 S. 1st St, Phoenix, AZ
#ChurchOut: Open Expression – 6:00 PM, Thursday, Oct. 11, Boycott Bar, 4301 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ, FREE ADMISSION (but the drinks will cost you!)
Participating UMC/MCC congregations:
City Square Church
Crossroads UMC
Dayspring UMC (Tempe)
Faith UMC
Water of Life MCC (Tucson)
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CONTACT: Rev. Kimberly Scott, Desert Southwest UMC Reconciling Ministries, #ChurchOut and
pastor, Crossroads United Methodist Church
PHONE: 602-471-5734
EMAIL: pastorkimberly@crossroa
WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.
Alexus Rhonecurator of worship | artistic theologian | revolutionary artist |
Facebook.com/CitySquareChurch/
