by Senior Minister Rev. John Morehouse
I have been so impressed with how we find the families we need even if they are not the families we are born into. This is especially true for LGBTQ+ people. Some among us have been largely ostracized and have had to create family where they could find love. We make family from those who love and support us, sometimes friends, older and younger, who take on the roles of parents, grandparents, siblings, and children.
Part of our mission as a congregation is to welcome all kinds of families to join us, no matter how you find family. For many of us just being part of our congregation is a family. Whoever you are, wherever you are, you are welcome to be part of our congregational family. This Sunday, we will be celebrating all kinds of families, including the ones we are a part of here at MLUC, with our annual Coming Out Day worship service.
Like all families, we have disagreements. We have learned that while disagreements are inevitable, they are often a chance to deepen our love through understanding and reconciliation. Our congregation is the place where families can come to be accepted for who they are. We welcome children and youth to come to our congregation and be accepted. Living and learning are competitive enough, especially if you are a kid. We come together as we are, and we are accepted as we are. From our preschoolers to our youth group to our adults, we invite your family to grow with us in this inclusive faith.
I close with this from Emma Merchant, written when she was a Unitarian Universalist youth in Ohio:
“The thought that we are each making a choice to be here in this family, in this community, is powerful. We have actively chosen to come and be here. I’m not stuck with you because you’re my cousin and I’m not allowed to be rude. I could leave if I wanted to, but I don’t because of the way that we have each nurtured this community. I choose to be stuck with you, for better or for worse.”
Photo caption: Rocks decorated at MLUC to hand out during Pride Month, each with a message of welcome.