2019 Issue 6 Nov/Dec - Focus Mid-South Magazine

come in knowing that we’re
a ‘Welcoming Congregation’.
But having the pride flag in
our church will immediately let
them know.”
The youth group also took
a leadership role in helping
plan the church’s involvement
in its third year at the
Memphis Pride Fest, worked
in the church’s sponsorship
booth, and marched with the
congregation in the parade.
For the teens and their
minister, hanging a pride flag
in church was a logical next
move. “Our congregation has
a history of welcoming and
supporting LGBTQ+ members,
but this is definitely one of the
biggest and most public steps
we have taken to actively
send a message of love and
acceptance out to the LBTQ+
community,” says Rev. Sam
Teitel. “I believe that every
person and family deserve
to belong to a religious
community that doesn’t just
tolerate them or ‘hate the sin
and love the sinner,’ but that
celebrates and embraces
every aspect of who they are.”
The youth group says
seeing the flag now hanging
prominently in the sanctuary
makes them feel even
prouder to be part of The
Church of the River. And the
church’s Director of Religious
Education, who called the
dedication a “blessing
and moment of immense
gratitude,” says the church
is proud of them. “It was like
the culmination of everything
I’ve hoped for our youth,’ says
Cindy Sakaan. “When we tell
them ‘everybody’s important’,
Four representatives of The Church of the River youth group pose with the pride flag
they procured for the church. They are (l. to r.) Jillian Maxwell, 15; Riley Pearson, 15;
Rylie Duke, 16; and Grace Ragsdale, 17.
that means everybody—no
exceptions. To see them take
that all the way to being
able to advocate not only for
themselves but also for other
people made me so proud of
all the work that they’ve done.”
Rev. Teitel adds, “Blessing that
flag was one of the proudest
moments in my ministry. I am
proud of our congregation,
especially the young people,
for taking this important step
to send a message of love and
inclusion to all of the different
kinds of people and families in
Memphis.”
The Church of the River was a sponsor of Memphis Pride
Fest 2019, and members marched in the parade.
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF MEMPHIS
292 W. VIRGINIA AVE. | NEXT TO BIG RIVER CROSSING
www.churchoftheriver.org
HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT SERVICE • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2019 • 5:30 PM