Rev. Terry Davis

As we think about Northwest, are there times when we exhibit a spirit of community and times when it seems that we’re acting in isolation? My guess is that you can think of examples of both. The way you create a sense of welcome on Sundays–your volunteer commitment to facilitate Second Hour learning for our children, teens and adults, the great turnout we had at the Pride parade last month, as well as at the Moral Monday protests at the state capitol earlier this year–these are all ways that your many drops are creating a vibrant community and advancing justice.

What are we to think of all these differences among us? Atlanta’s Pride invites us to celebrate them. We celebrate men who love men, women who love women . . . and persons who love both men and women. Pride encourages us to affirm persons who want to authentically live as the gender they believe they are – male, female, or as someone who is both or neither.

And, perhaps most importantly, Pride invites us to ask questions about ourselves. While Pride may be focused on LGBT persons, I believe it offers all of us an opportunity to look within at who we are and where fear may be preventing us from truly creating a beloved community where everyone is welcome.