You are mine: Westminster’s Pride Flag
by Kent DeYoung, Ruling Elder
The refrain of “You Are Mine,” hymn #177 in Glory to God, says “Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.” (Click here to listen.)
As a gay man who was raised in a church during the ‘60’s and ‘70’s with members who likely wouldn’t have known what to do with me had I said I think I might be gay, and in a family where to this day some still believe one cannot be both Christian and gay, the words of this refrain are as profound as they are comforting. They reflect an unconditional love that some simply cannot accept.
These words are also what I think of when I look at Westminster’s newest addition: a rainbow flag. The flag made its debut a few weeks ago, on Sunday, April 3. The decision to add it is the brainchild of WPC’s relatively new “Revitalize Our Church” (ROC) group. According to Jenny Lasley, ROC “identified the importance of accentuating inclusiveness to our Santa Fe LGBTQIA community. Other churches in town have outward signs of being inclusive, but we did not.”
To me, flying a rainbow flag has the potential to say way more than we might otherwise be able to put into words. To those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual, the flag says you are welcomed here, loved, accepted, supported, and embraced just as you are. To the families and friends and allies of our LGBTQIA sisters and brothers, the flag says we share your desire for the full inclusion of all God’s children in both the church and in society. And to those who are prohibited from living more fully because of societal or institutional barriers, including age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, human condition, nationality or immigration status, education, or economic status, the flag says we see you, we hear you, and we will walk with you.
As you may know or remember, Westminster joined More Light Presbyterians (MLP) just a few years ago. I liken that decision to coming out of the closet, a brave and bold and often risky declaration of self-identity. Westminster had long been a social justice-oriented, inclusive congregation, but it wasn’t widely known in the gay community, and it just wasn’t what I would call “official.” Now it is!
But having joined MLP doesn’t mean we can sit back, thinking our work is done. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that we must continue to work for justice, that we must continue to speak and act in ways that remind everyone around us who we are, what is important, and who we believe God has called us to be. Flying a rainbow flag, and marching in the Santa Fe Pride Parade (it’s coming up on June 25, click here for more information), are just two of the many ways we can do that!
God tells all of us, and Christ reminds each of us, “You are mine.” May we never doubt it. Thanks be to God!
*ed. note: David Haas, who composed this hymn, has been accused by at least 44 women of sexual abuse and misconduct, including the grooming of minor women who saw him as a mentor. Haas has issued a public apology and several lawsuits are pending. It is deeply regrettable that such beautiful and meaningful words have been tainted by his reprehensible actions.