At St. James’ we try to make sure we show our welcome to passers-by along Thornton Ave with information on services displayed on a banner alongside a flag. Our flags include the Stars and Stripes (for national holidays and celebrations), the Episcopal Church flag (connecting us to our denomination and history) and the Pride flag (flown particularly in Pride month but also throughout the year).
We are repeatedly told that the Pride flag is an important factor in encouraging new visitors, that it tells people we are a church of inclusion and welcome, and one that celebrates that God loves everyone. People who may have felt unwelcome at another church, who had family or friends who would not have been welcome somewhere else, seek us out because of that flag.
The story of placing that flag out on the street hasn’t been smooth, while we have the support of those inside our community the flag has at times been removed by people and we have had to replace it. Each time we take a deep breath and know that there are many people living in communities where they are not supported and we have the strength and means to replace our flag – to hold fast to our message that God’s love, and our welcome, is for everyone.
Do you have a story about how the flag outside St. James’ encouraged you to look at the Episcopal Church – did it mean something to you to see it there? We’d love to include your experiences in an article about the importance of the Pride flag.
If you’d like to help us make sure we always have a flag ready to hang donations can be made, just label them ‘pride flag’. Each time we need to replace one it costs around $100.