Special Season
Curious about LGBTQ+ Inclusion?
Welcome - we hope we can be helpful.
Recently, the New York Times shared an essay about our co-pastor Bill's journey as father and minister wrestling with his son coming out as gay. Just in case any readers of that article arrive here curious to learn more, we put together a little cheatsheet for where you might find our most helpful resources.
- Our About page is a great starting point if you just want to see one example of what an affirming and inclusive church can be like, from our vision and practical theology to our story and the stories of some of our people.
- The bottom half of our Media page is all about LGBTQ+ inclusion, and
- You can find even more current resources at Small Church Big Table, the nonprofit Bill co-founded to support faith leaders beginning to explore their questions about LGBTQ people in the church and need a roadmap to get there.
In 2018 our LGBTQ+ inclusion study team, who had talked and prayed for about two years, unanimously agreed upon a radically welcoming, inclusive approach to our straight and queer siblings alike. And it has been such a gift to us as a community. LGBTQ friends, we celebrate you! This 2018 letter, read by Bill, shares the heart behind our approach.
Not in Long Beach & looking for a fully affirming, radically welcoming church near you?
We want that for you, too!
FOR IN PERSON GATHERINGS, you can try searching Nu Community, the Post Evangelical Collective, and GayChurch.org. (If you don’t see a church that’s close enough, try reaching out to the ones somewhat local to you and asking for churches they would recommend nearer by.)
FOR ONLINE OPTIONS: of course you’re welcome to join us any Sunday via Zoom.
Two inclusive, primarily online communities that friends of ours help lead: Harbor Online; and Miriam’s Song, which is based in Oakland and esp. for women and non-binary folks of color.