Honoring Our Differences

Join us in 2024 for a special speaker series on diversity & inclusion: Honoring Our Differences. In 2023, Messiah Church issued an Inclusion Statement that expressed our desire to work together to be an inclusive faith community. This series, developed by our Diversity & Inclusion Team, is designed to help all of us learn more about this important commitment. On Sundays, January 14, February 11, April 21, and May 19, from 9:35-10:25 am, come learn about four important diversity topics. Info on each session is available at www.MessiahChurch.org/honoring-our-differences-series. Childcare will be available. No RSVP is required — everyone is welcome!

April 21 Topic: What About LGBTQIA+? 
LGBTQIA+ persons face incredible obstacles when it comes to being part of a church or worship experiences. Far too often, churches have created the most painful rejection in an LGBTQIA+ person’s life. Some of the church’s attitudes and treatment of LGBTQIA+ comes from a lack of understanding of gender identity, sexual orientation, and the many terms related to LGBTQIA+. In this session, Paul Blom, CEO of Right at Home and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, helps us learn more about the importance of recognizing God’s love for all human beings. Paul is a nationally known advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and has trained nearly 10,000 individuals across the country and internationally on LGBTQIA+ issues.
 
LGBTQIA+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.