Never did I ever imagine where this journey with Methodism would land me when I joined the Eureka Springs, AR church in 1985.

It was a great place to raise my children and study God’s word, to receive encouragement and renewal to get through each week. Somewhere along the way I found each study drawing me in deeper and deeper into what it meant to be living my faith. I wrestled with many issues but always found the welcoming acceptance in being a Methodist to challenge and question troubling scripture. So it was a natural progression to begin seriously studying homosexuality and the Bible two years ago.

Reconciling Ministries Network had a great study. We went through this process as a Sunday school class and felt urged to offer it to the entire church. Having members from the LGBT community was eye opening as to the struggles they face as Christians.

It seemed a natural progression to then become a Reconciling church.

Unfortunately others in the congregation did not feel the same natural progression. After year of talks, conversations, meetings, and even a formal vote ensued but we eventually became the third church in Arkansas to formally declare ourselves a Reconciling Church in January 2013. Among the great joy, it was also painful. We lost a few members. But in the end, we were united in doing the right thing – making a stand, for right.

This stand became more apparent this weekend when our church was kicked out of the Jesus Parade by fellow Christians because we support the LGBT community.

Our town has a Jesus Parade as part of Easter celebration. Our town also has what we call “Diversity Weekend” three times a year. As it turned out, the week-ends collided this year. The Jesus organizers originally created the parade in protest of the Diversity weekend.

Our church made a conscious effort to reach out to the LGBT community and we have had a presence in each diversity event with a table offering welcome, free food and drink.

So in planning our current diversity event we thought it would be a great idea to also march in the Jesus Parade.

We decided to carry a banner that read – Jesus loves all. All are welcome!

We applied for the parade, were accepted and excitedly made plans. We could share our message that Christians are open to all! Imagine our surprise when 5 days before the parade we were told by the parade chair that they decided we were not welcome. All because of our “radical” support of our LGBT siblings.

These are fellow Christians – during Holy Week no less! The reasons given were based on the parade’s committee’s interpretation of scripture and how we were not aligned with them.

Clearly not all Christians are struggling with what it means to be Reconciling and how to live out your faith in this manner. Fear still controlled their thinking.

I posted this encounter in Face book and the town went wild – lots of anger, upset, and tremendous support. Many wanted to boycott the parade or turn their backs as the parade passed. But we are Reconcilers and we must love and take the high road.

In the end we spent our Saturday with a table sharing the message of the love and acceptance of Jesus for all. We applauded the parade and clapped as they went by. We walked across the street to the parade site and offered free food and drink. And it was peaceful. The conversational doors have been thrown wide open now.

The LGBT community has taken notice and they know we are real.

And we had several come to Easter service to check out church. God took what was meant for evil and made it good. And I am so proud to serve, along side of my LGBT siblings, a God whose heart is big enough to include all of God’s children with no strings attached. Love wins. I believe that. Every time.