by Rev. Ray Neal, pastor, Emerald City MCC-Seattle - Special to the SGN

Pride 2010 Interfaith Worship Service
June 26, 2 PM
All Pilgrims Church (500 Broadway E.)

'Created in the Image of the Divine' is the theme of the Pride 2010 Interfaith Worship Service to be held on Saturday, June 26, at 2 p.m. at All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway E. The worship service will feature reflections on the theme by persons of various faith groups and a community LGBT chorus of participants from several churches under the direction of Darren Hochstedler, music director at Emerald City Metropolitan Community Church Seattle.

Recognizing that it had been several years since any attempt had been made to hold an interfaith Pride worship service in Seattle, the board of Emerald City MCC, asked its pastor, Rev. Ray Neal, to organize such a service. Ray built a coalition of representatives from different faith groups to plan and present the service this year. Also participating in the service plans and presentation are Darren Hochstedler, music minister of Emerald City MCC and church administrator at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church; Rev. Michelle Carmody, associate pastor at Emerald City MCC; Lincoln Rose, pastoral assistant at Emerald City; Jamie Haskins, pastoral intern at University Christian Church; Rev. Anne Hall, associate pastor at University Lutheran Church; Rev. Greg Turks, the new pastor of All Pilgrims Church; Rev. John Cahill, pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church and Ravenna United Methodist Church; Rev. Tim Phillips, pastor Seattle First Baptist Church; Rev. Rick Pribbernow of ELCA Open Door Ministries, Rev. Joan Dennehy, pastor of Findlay Street Christian Church; and Larry Nicholas, a member the Kavana, an independent Jewish Community in Seattle.

Giving a spiritual reflection on the theme from the Jewish faith will be Larry Nicholas. Originally from New York, Larry has called Seattle home for the past 20 years. A part-time clinical psychotherapist and parent educator with an office on Capitol Hill, he specializes in work with fathers and new parents. Larry is also a part-time stay-at-home dad. Larry is a certified Gottman educator, teaching "Bringing Baby Home." He teaches "Reflective Parenting: Parenting from the Heart" at various locations throughout the Puget Sound. He is a former teacher of the Conscious Fathering program and a facilitator of the Positive Discipline program. A self-proclaimed "Dadvocate" and proud of the work he does, Larry takes the most joy from spending time with his partner Tom, their 3-year-old daughter, and 8-month-old son. The Nicholas-Underhill family are proud partners of the Kavana Cooperative on Queen Anne. Kavana is an independent Jewish community in Seattle. We strive to create a supportive communal environment in which individuals and families can use "kavana" - intention - to create a Jewish life that is spiritually fulfilling, intellectually satisfying, fun, and meaningful.

Presenting the spiritual reflection from the Christian faith will be Rev. Joan Dennehy, who has been the pastor of Findlay Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 18 years. This congregation sold their building in the Rainier Valley in 2006 and is in interim space at Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church, planning for new sacred space and mission on N. Beacon Hill. She was born into the Catholic Church, was a studio art major in college, received her M.Div from Chandler School of Theology at Emory University, is the mother of five grown children and nana to 12 grandchildren, enjoys playing the flute, and lives with her partner, Barb Graff, in Bellevue.

Persons from the Muslim faith and Buddhist faith have also been invited to give their reflections on the theme.

Darren Hochstedler, music director at Emerald City MCC, invites all interested persons who would like to make "a joyful noise" to meet at noon on June 26 at All Pilgrims Church to form a service choir and rehearse an energetic but easy-to-sing anthem for the service.

A reception will be held after the worship service in the fellowship hall of All Pilgrims Church so that worship service participants might meet those involved in the service and learn about the various faith groups represented.

An offering will be taken up at the worship service with 100% of the proceeds going to Queer Youth Space.

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