PI Day & PIE Day

 During Pride Month (June) we put up a large rainbow flag at the front of our house and then tuck it away for the year. Today we put up an older flag just for the day, in recognition of PIE Day, not to be confused with PI Day, which is also today...wait, that is confusing!

According to the United Church statement: 

PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit. These are the standards we hold ourselves and our welcome to when we become affirming, welcoming, or inclusive communities. March 14 is a chance to serve some pie and roll out the PIE by celebrating the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people in faith communities and beyond across Canada.

I have to admit that while I'm very found of pie (strawberry/rhubarb makes me swoon) I haven't ever acknowledged PIE. That said, we are aware of a troubling rise in LGBTQ2S+ rhetoric and angry protests in response to the efforts toward inclusivity. I wrote about the vandalism at Trenton United Church when the Pride flag was taken down from the front of the building. We know that there is a high rate of suicide amongst LGBTQ2S+ youing people. Public, intentional, explicit support is important, today, during Pride Month, and every day. 

Here is a benediction from a worship resource provided by the UCC

Let us go from here to proclaim the good news:

 God takes on flesh in the strange and surprising.

Love liberates from the margins.

Together, we have what we need to resist evil and oppression.

 With a renewed commitment to solidarity with God and all LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, may the Spirit lead us from this place with peace.