- Liv Larson Andrews
I was in the first few years of my call to Salem Lutheran Church when I walked with an ecumenical group of clergy leaders in the Spokane Pride Parade. This was before things were very organized at Pride in Spokane, because I recall no need to sign up ahead of time. We just showed up. It was my idea for everyone to wear brightly colored chausables, forming a rainbow of supportive pastors. (I’m pretty sure at least three of them were my own!) As we walked, my colleague Deb, a bold, passionate pastor in the Methodist tradition, began to sing. “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Pride. It’s not a simple thing. Listed among the seven deadly sins. Noted for coming before a fall. Rarely praised as a virtue except in the case of school spirit. And the collective noun for a group of lions. But in the old song Deb led us in as we walked the streets of Spokane with our supportive signs and smiling faces, we came to a stanza that sings, “and we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.” Pride! Deb turned to me with a huge smile.
Henri Nouwen defines humility as having a fitting sense of self, an accurate picture of one’s gifts and foibles. Humility may be cast as the opposite of Pride, but when I survey the spirit of parades and festivals celebrating our queer siblings and the fullness of their identity, joy, and contributions to society, I see an effort to embrace a fitting sense of self. Pride events declare, we are here. We are a part of things. We are community, home, family and friends. We are fully human.
The presence of Lutheran Christians at Pride is important to me because of this last affirmation: we are human. Fully human—flawed, gifted, complacent, active, hurting, joyful, sinners and saints together with all human siblings. That God loves us in our humanity is what we celebrate in baptism and remember when we gather for worship. You may have never attended a Pride event, and you may have thoughts that disagree with the ELCA’s position on the matter. (Or maybe you dislike crowds!) But you are human, too. And our church is here to guard the dignity, honor the pride, and shield the joy of all its participants and neighbors.
While I am sad that I missed Spokane’s (more organized these days) Pride parade of 2024, I am delighted that as your DEM I get to accompany pastors in Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls for Pride festivities in our synod. However you find yourself this June, whether traveling or at home, ready to march with glitter in hand or hesitant and full of questions, I ask that you pray. Pray for Pride events in your area and across our geography. Pray for safety. Pray for joy. Pray for the Spirit to hover over our beautiful region and bring a rainbow of blessings for everyone to enjoy. And pray for us, the Lutherans of the NWIM synod, to always be known by our love.