Shining God's Love: Our Church at Pridenton 2024
Taylor & Lizzy Williams, Krystal Stroud, and Rev. Jenny Bates at Pridenton 2024.
Our church had the incredible opportunity to participate in Pridenton: A Night OUT (near) the Square, celebrating the LGBTQIA2S+ community. As the event’s official water station, we handed out free water bottles to keep everyone cool and refreshed in the summer heat.
We handed out information about our church and our Glow LGBTQIA+ group, along with Queerfully and Wonderfully Made stickers, which were a big hit. Throughout the evening, we interacted with about 1000 people, spreading the message of inclusivity and community.
A highlight of our booth was a set of miniature rainbow doors, a creative project by Lizzy Williams, Shan Wallace, and Georgianne Travis. These mini doors mirrored the life-size rainbow doors outside Flinn Hall, displaying the message "God's Doors Are Open To All," and quickly became a recognizable symbol that drew many to our booth.
Shan Wallace & Jonathan Perry holding the mini rainbow doors.
Andie Gilliland giving a thumbs up standing in front of the Pridenton banner.
We were thrilled to have our incoming senior pastors, Revs. Scott & Raegan Gilliland, attend the event with two of their children. It was a joy to introduce them to our community at such a joyous event!
Pridenton was a warm and communal experience, reflecting the deep love and acceptance of our city. Our participation not only allowed us to live out our hope to "Shine God’s Love Into Every Life" but also to feel the love and support of the community in return. The joy, love, and kindness shared during Pridenton were truly heartwarming.
As we continue to support our LGBTQIA2S+ community, we are also in need of solid core doors to replace our current weather-beaten rainbow doors on the Sycamore side of the church. We are reaching out to our community to check their sheds, barns, attics, and closets for any solid core doors they might be willing to donate. We can arrange pick-ups for local donations!
Clay Thurmond, Alyssa Ross, & Ashton Brackett at our church booth.
We couldn't have made it through Pridenton 2024 without the incredible help of our dedicated volunteers. A huge thank you to Allison Goldsmith, Donna Bloom, Jonathan Perry, and Jim McKinney for setting up our booth. Special thanks to Tom & Renee Grems, Kelly Evans, Alison Hosack, Clay & Judy Thurmond, Angela Brewer, Shan Wallace, Ashton Brackett, Georgianne Travis, Michele McCreary, and Alyssa Ross for donating water, managing the booth, and interacting with visitors. We also appreciate Robyn Chen and Krystal Stroud for assisting with teardown and bringing everything back to the church. Your hard work and love of all people shone through brightly!
After it was all put away! Krystal Stroud, Michelle McCreary, Clay Thurmond, Georgianne Travis, Robyn Chen, & Alyssa Ross.
Pridenton was a beautiful example of community, love, and acceptance. We are grateful to have been part of it and look forward to many more opportunities to shine God's love into every life in the Denton community and beyond!