A Celebration of Love

This weekend a group of us attended Worcester Pride: We marched in the parade, wearing colorful rainbow garb, waving rainbow flags and carrying our church banner to let everyone know that we believe God loves all people. Along the route people were waving and cheering us on, we waved and cheered back. It was a beautiful celebration of love, of friendship and community. One of our marchers was wearing a T-shirt saying "Free Mom Hugs" and people took her up on it! We actually saw a lot of moms and dads wearing those T-shirts. What an important message, but also how sad that it is necessary: That people need to be reminded they are loved and accepted the way they are. If not by their own family, then by our human family. 
How sad that it is necessary for us as a church to proclaim loudly and boldly that God loves everyone. But what a privilege it is that we get to be the ones to share this message.
It sounds so simple: God loves everyone. Love God, and love your neighbor.
But it is so profound and so incredibly difficult to really open our hearts and our doors for all of God's children.
I believe this is what we are called to do. And I believe it will change the world.
In the end, love will win.