Madison, WI – In solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, a diverse group of affirming religious organizations and community partners will unite for Madison’s first Pride Interfaith Service on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Madison from 5:00-8:00 pm. This event is open to the public.
The planners of this event feel the need to speak queer affirmation loudly. Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, explains that “for far too long, faith communities have been a source of pain and discrimination for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
This event addresses the pain and harm caused by religious institutions, but also celebrates queer joy and love. It begins at 5:00 pm for a time of food and fellowship, featuring the Holy Cow Food Truck and local LGBTQIA+ organizations, followed by the Pride Interfaith Service at 6:30 pm. The service can also be viewed online at live.firstbaptistmadison.org.
Rev. Tim Schaefer, pastor of First Baptist, says, “As an openly queer pastor, I have experienced the Church as both a source of my trauma and a source of my liberation. This service is our way of acknowledging the complicated relationship our faith communities have with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Charles McLimans, a gay faith leader and CEO of Holy Wisdom Monastery is proud to serve as one of the organizers of the Pride Interfaith Service, “As we strive for greater inclusivity in the world and in the church, we wish to lift up the LGBTQIA+ community at this event and welcome all who wish to celebrate and support us.”
This event is being co-sponsored by the following congregations and organizations:
HOSTED BY:
- First Baptist Church of Madison
PARTICIPATING FAITH COMMUNITIES:
- Advent Lutheran Church of Madison Christian Community
- Bethany United Methodist Church
- Christ Presbyterian Church
- Circle Sanctuary
- Community of Hope UCC of Madison Christian Community
- First Unitarian Society of Madison
- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
- Holy Wisdom Monastery
- Jewish Social Services of Madison
- Memorial United Church of Christ
- Middleton Community Church UCC
- Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church
- St. John’s Lutheran Church
- St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
- Temple Beth El
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
- Briarpatch Youth Services
- Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin
- JustDane
- League of Women Voters of Dane County
- Madison Area Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Association (MATA)
- Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center
- Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
- Vivent Health
- Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
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