Celebrate Pride with EDOW
Last June, several EDOW parishes united behind the diocesan banner and marched together at the Capital Pride Parade. While EDOW congregations have a long history of participating in pride events, this was the first time the diocese organized an official contingent.
Everyone who participated in the parade has a story of what doing so meant to them. The most powerful story I experienced centers on two pre-teen girls from one of the more rural areas of our diocese. One of the girls’ parents reached out to me to share that her daughter wanted to attend a Pride parade. She had been asking about it for over six months. When the parent discovered that the diocese planned to march in the parade, she decided to sign the family up to participate. She expressed her love for our church that she described as affirming and where there is no question that her daughter is not only accepted but embraced.
That embrace is why we celebrate Pride and participate in activities like the parade. As a diocese, and as the church, we want to reflect God’s all loving embrace for the LGBTQIA+ community. We want to celebrate the variety of human expression that God created and loves. Celebrating Pride means that we honor the spectrum of human sexualities and genders. It means that we believe God blesses us with diversity and that it is very good. In a world where religious communities are not always a welcoming or safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community, we celebrate Pride because we believe that our church is better because of our LGBTQIA+ siblings.
Join us in celebrating Pride! Come march with us, show your love and embrace, which is a reflection of God’s. This year’s Pride Parade is on Saturday, June 10. All interested congregations and Episcopal communities are invited to unite under the diocesan banner and march together. All EDOW marchers should plan to meet at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (1514 15th St. NW, Washington, DC) at 1:45 PM for a brief prayer and instructions before heading to the parade staging area together.
If you and/or your community are interested in joining the diocesan contingent to walk in the Parade, complete this Google form to let us know.
Contact the Rev. Amanda Akes-Cardwell with questions or for more information.
