"Why LGBTQ+ ministries matter to me?" - Venise Keys' testimony (June 4 2023)
Channel: United Church of Hyde Park
Date: 2023-06-04

"Why LGBTQ+ ministries matter to me?" 
Testimony from Venise Keys, member of Open and Affirming Team at United Church of Hyde Park,

"Why do I enjoy LGBTQ+ ministries? Connection and collaboration with other LGBQT+ theological organizations is a great aspect. Our Pray Away movie event brought together different thought leaders in the spiritual community, and I got to hear varying interpretations of the word. We have another collaborative event coming up on Sunday, June 25th, which is a pre-Pride Parade worship service. We are not praying away the gay! We are thanking God for making us in His image and giving thanks for the ability to exist without apologizing."

Our June special offering goes to LGBTQ+ Ministries at our church, lead by the Open and Affirming Team. Our LGBTQ+ inclusive ministry started in 1999. We officially became "Open and Affirming" in 2021 at three of our denominations (UCC, PCUSA and UMC). The special offering will help our church to: 
(1) continue our membership and collaboration with the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches (CCWC), 
(2) host two larger community LGBTQ+ events every year, 
(3) Pride Month events, 
(4) Transgender Day of Remembrance Service in November, and 
(5) educational activities. 
You can contact any member of the Open and Affirming team for more information, or visit our website:
* Current LGBTQ+ Ministries at our church,
https://www.uchpchicago.org/lgbtq-ministries.html
* LGBTQ+ Archive (1999-2021),
https://www.uchpchicago.org/affirming-ministries-archive.html

Please join us in-person or online (Facebook and YouTube) at 11:00 am CST.

*The United Church of Hyde Park's Council recommends mask wearing as optional.  Out of an abundance of caution, we are still recommending that families and individuals sit six (6) feet apart from others. 

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#UCHP20230604 #ONA #RMN #MLP #LGBTQfriendly #UCHP #UCC #UMC #PCUSA #pridemonth  #specialoffering
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United Church of Hyde Park (1448 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615)
More information, https://uchpchicago.org/