St. Andrew’s United Church in Lacombe is making it clear it welcomes people from all walks of life.
The church has put the message out to the community by painting a colourful rainbow, similar to a crosswalk, outside the church stairs leading to the front door.
Rev. Sarah Fanning said the congregation has been an affirming ministry for a long time, but the church did not know if everyone in the community knew that.
“We have always welcomed them (LGBTQ community), but this way, it’s being more explicit about it.
“It’s been subtle, and by doing this, it isn’t subtle. There’s no questioning,” she explained.
Fanning said the church is the only one in Lacombe that has made its decision of becoming an LGBTQ-inclusive congregation public.
“We knew that the church community knew, but we weren’t sure as to how much the wider community knew that we were affirming, so this is one of those ways to be public, intentional and very clear that we strive to welcome all people.”
The decision to paint the rainbow has gone over well with Lacombe residents, she said, with some calling the church, sending emails or stopping by to take pictures of the art on display.
But there are others in the congregation who are not happy.
“They felt it was, I’m going to say, a little too much in their face, and we’re going to be working at (it),” said Fanning,” adding she will have further conversations about the decision.
“We say we’re welcoming, but do we actually mean it? Do we actually live it out? And it’s never going to be perfect.”
The Gaetz Memorial United Church in Red Deer became an official LGBTQ-inclusive congregation last fall.
The decision to become an affirming congregation came with a new vision for the church — welcoming everyone, including people from various ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation, abilities and ages.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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