June 2024 Newsletter
A Reflection on Pittsburgh Pride 2024
by Rev. Ryan Pusch
Pastor Ryan Pusch (left) and attendees at Pittsburgh Pride
Pride is kind of an oversaturation of the senses. It’s loud, its participants are dressed in all kinds of different garb, there is food and drink aplenty, as well as myriad other items for sale. In this way, it can be a challenge to navigate, especially for folks like me who tend to seek out more serene environments, or introverts, who can be completely overwhelmed by the panoply of beings.
But despite these dialed up sensory inputs, the special thing about Pride celebrations is the people who show up. People of every age, race, class, gender or non-gender, ability, sexual orientation, and every other signifier of human diversity. You might think there isn’t profound political diversity, but this is also untrue. There are socialists, capitalists, anarchists, apolitical folks, and yes, unfortunately a few amplified bigots, confined to the margins of the festival and holding “protest” against what they see as unbridled sin.
The only other times you would regularly encounter such a huge expanse of humanity is perhaps at a sporting event or a performance of a pop-star, but Pride is different because there isn’t a team or singular artist we’re devoted to. Instead, our devotion is to the idea of authentic humanity- of allowing people to be who they really are. Of course, with any good idea, there’s also a lot of folks just there to try to sell you crap you don’t need. But there are also businesses and organizations that are there to celebrate the principle of inclusion. Indeed, this is why we show up as the Reconciling Works Lutherans, as well as some Presbyterians, Methodists, and Unitarian Universalists stationed at different tables strewn about Allegheny Commons. We all want to be part of what’s happening there, but we know that God’s Spirit is doing something there even if we’re not quite sure how we all fit together.
It can be disheartening that strangers are often wary of a “welcoming church” because of the aforementioned bigots inevitably spoiling the image of the church as a genuinely loving place. It was a blow to the gut, after spending all day at the festival not trying to “sell” anything but just being there to soak it in and share a little bit of love through tattoos, stickers, and bubbles, that all of our quiet intention could be overshadowed by someone with a loudspeaker. Despite what these folks might think, nothing they had to say was about God or even about LGBTQ+ inclusion. Showing up to a community festival with no intention of authentically engaging with anyone is a tragic indicator of unexamined fears as well as good old-fashioned narcissism. “Preaching” without relationship is not about anyone or anything else but yourself.
But despite the unfortunate exceptions who are hoping to rain on the parade, the festival plays on, offering folks an opportunity to play with, or “queer” their way of relating to others outside of the norms and confines of heteronormativity and gender binaries. You don’t have to “be” anything at Pride, which is really the point of it all as far as I’m concerned. Sure, you can find the flag and the words that help you understand yourself: straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, intersex, queer, pansexual, genderqueer, demisexual, non-binary, and so on - but you don’t have to plant that flag anywhere. You’re not “locked in” to an identity because what Pride is about is the spaces between the words. Kind of like the Kingdom of God- it’s a place where we can all just be real, be curious, be true to ourselves and each other, moment by moment, and trust that we will always have a place at the table.
Juneteenth Worship at Bethel AME
Bethel AME Church in Pittsburgh held two opportunities for Juneteenth Celebration and Reparations Worship on Sunday, June 16. Bishop Kurt Kusserow of the SWPA Synod, ELCA was the preacher at the morning worship service, and Bishop Errenous E. McCloud, Jr. of the Third Episcopal District AME Church preached at the afternoon worship service.
LAMPa Fellowship
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) has announced the Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship: Empowering Lutheran Youth in Pennsylvania for Racial Reconciliation. Building on the prophet Isaiah’s vision of those who “will be called repairer of the breach, restorer of the streets to live in,” this fellowship empowers recipients to address racial injustice and enact reconciliation at the grassroots level. Up to 3 fellowships will be awarded. Fellows who successfully complete their projects will receive $1000 for college tuition or continuing education. Find out more and apply. Applications are due June 30!
Summer Reading
The theme of the 2024 Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event was "Fires of Freedom and Cloud of Witnesses." In worship and the panel discussion, we heard stories of biblical, historical, and local women who kindled and tended the fires of freedom, often from behind the scenes. As a continuation of that theme, the ADJ team invites you to join in reading Have You Got Good Religion: Black Women’s Faith, Courage, & Moral Leadership in the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. AnneMarie Mingo of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Buy the book through the ADJ Bookshop link and support future MLK events.
Join the conversation on Zoom on Thursday, August 15 at 7pm.
ULS Series - ELCA Social Statements
Join presenters from across the ELCA for a series of Zoom lectures about some of our most timely ELCA Social Statements as we ponder the question "What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year?" The series begins on June 25 with Introduction to Social Teachings led by Dr. Roger Willer, Director of Theological Ethics for the ELCA. View the flyer here.
Disability Pride Month resources
July is Disability Pride Month. Prepare to mark this month in worship with the following liturgy pieces:
Confession (can be used in addition to the standard one)
Almighty God, we confess that we have not always loved our neighbors as ourselves, and in this moment we especially lift up our disabled neighbors. We have not always been willing to make accommodations for them and to accept them as humans made fully in your image. We have unwillingly and unknowingly participated in systems that suppress and limit them from full participation in our church and our community. We ask you to forgive us and show us the errors of our ways. Lead us to reconciliation and guide us towards creating a more inclusive church and community. Amen.
Absolution
God makes the sun rise on the evil and the good and sends the rain on the righteous and unrighteous. People of God, you are forgiven by God’s spirit and empowered to rise up as disciples made new in Christ Jesus, who calls people of all abilities to know and proclaim God’s everlasting life, Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
God, our creator, we pray for those who identify as physically disabled, neurodivergent, those with psychiatric disabilities, those with sensory disabilities, and those with invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. Help us to support and affirm them, and love them fully like you do. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, our reconciler, we ask that you lead us in affirming our neighbors with disabilities. Guide us in developing worship, events, and education programs that are accessible to all. Teach us how to truly be the body of Christ, recognizing the gifts and strengths each person brings. Give us grace when we are ableist and the heart to seek forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, our advocate, help the church speak up for the disability community. Encourage us to be the light and salt that dismantles broken systems, especially the ones that impede people from employment, fair wages, marriage, and healthcare because of their disability. Help us listen to the stories and raise the voices of the disability community. Help our church lead the way towards full inclusion in our community. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
More resources for engaging with members of disability community as the church may be found here.
Organizer training
The Organizing for Mission Network is hosting a training August 6-10 at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA for lay and professional leaders who wish to be equipped to engage their communities, develop leaders, and building skills around racial and economic equity. More information is available here; contact Pastor Melissa Stoller if you're interested in attending.
Anti-racist formation of children and youth
Duke Divinity school's Faith & Leadership blog has resources for the anti-racist formation of children and youth. This article shares about some cognitive, material, and structural shifts than churches can make.