I hope this past weekend was one of rest and relaxation, restoration, and play for all of us in so many ways. For me, it’s been so good to be home after a 12-day trip to Portugal and Spain walking The Camino. I sure hope it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime experience (even though it carries that profound of a weight!) because I already long and look forward to doing it again someday! I am so thankful for the grace and space this experience gifted me. And I’ll intentionally highlight here just one thing that still stands out.
Pride Month
As we are here on the eve of Pride Month, one thing I’m tenderly holding today was a holy conversation on The Camino with a friend of mine, who is a gay man. Upon arriving to Santiago, he reflected back on the trip and shared with our group that as hospitable and loving as every person was, he still so easily struggles with a default experience of exclusion. He explained that so much of his life has looked like being left out. And so to truly feel welcome, normal invitations of inclusion don’t often suffice. He really needs to be brought into the fold, above and beyond – expansively and extensively. I’ll never forget his words, but even more, I’ll always remember his eyes: that look of long-suffering burning right alongside a brave hope for a better, bigger world.
To all our Beloved Community, but especially and particularly today, to our LGBTQ+ siblings: we are so proud to call you familia. We love you. And we need you. In the wake of countless exclusions, may you find and feel a thousandfold embrace. And may you know in this church, you are so seen and so treasured. Not “just as you are”, but instead, “especially as you are.”
To honor and celebrate Pride in our community at large, the City of Pasadena is hosting a full lineup of Pride Month events. We encourage any and all to gather in groups and support one another in just solidarity, righteous action, and genuine love. Surely this too is what it looks like to live out the Beloved Community in beautiful oneness together.
AAPI Art Exhibition in Sanctuary
Because it’s been such a special experience already, and we don’t want anyone to miss out: we want to remind you to take time on a Sunday to behold the incredible creations of Chinese-Vietnamese artist, Phung Banh. Her work is dedicated to crafting immersive cultural narratives, with a focus on empowering BIPOC women and fostering spaces that celebrate diverse world cultures and raise awareness about social issues.
Our church is honored to exhibit Phung’s acclaimed Asian Celebration project, an ongoing series that highlights AAPI women from diverse cultures adorned in their traditional attire. Phung hopes to provide a platform for the AAPI community to rejoice in their cultural heritage and pay homage to their forebears. This project showcases a transformative power by inspiring others, nurturing confidence, promoting healing, and encouraging self-expression.
We invite you to experience this visual exhibition during our Sunday gatherings as an act of curiosity and solidarity, as we aim to reclaim and recenter the diverse cultural identities within our church familia.
Learn more about Phung and follow her work at instagram.com/pb.journal.
Praise Report for Danielle Harris!
A couple of weeks ago Danielle reached out to us about her housing need to find a roommate before the first of June. She wants to report with great joy that God provided not only a roommate but also a car! Thanks be to God! Thank you Danielle for reaching out in vulnerability as you expressed and we rejoice with you in God’s miraculous provision! Best of luck in your new job!
Food & Fellowship Summer Break
Last thing, we will NOT be having Food and Fellowship Sundays during our summer months (June, July, August). Historically this has been a season where we slow things down and catch our collective breath before the full swing of September gets things moving fast again. That said, we always encourage our people to slow down, share tables, and spread the love. Because we know food is such a conduit of so many good things, especially relationships.
Beloved, when we see your face (yes, yours!), we see the face of God. May your face shine bright this week. And may you know we can’t wait to see you – and the imago dei through you – soon!
With so much love,
Bobby