Episcopalians from across the Bay Area celebrated Pride this year by telling stories, hearing talks, watching movies, raising the Rainbow flag high atop their steeple and preaching about the future of Oasis Californian, our diocesan LGBT ministry. Our celebration culminated as more than 100 people joined in this year's open air Pride Eucharist on Beale Street. Co-sponsored by the  San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of Lutherans Concerned North America the Eucharist included as it readings a selection from Harvey Milk's "Hope Speech" with St. Paul's riff on love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) and as our Gospel Mark 12:28-34. More photos here.  Download worship booklet here (PDF file). See our Pride 2010 Photo Gallery here.

The Rt. Rev Marc Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California, presided at the Eucharist, the Rt. Rev. Mark Holmerud, Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America preached and the Rev. Nancy Feniuk Nelson, Bishop’s Associate of the Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, assisted.  Oasis President and recently ordained Deacon the Rev. Tom  Jackson joined with Dan Burner to assist at the altar.

During the liturgy, we heard greetings from Bishop Naudal Alves Gomes of our companion diocese, the Diocese of Curitiba. "It is with pride that we stand united with you in steadfast solidarity, for the equality and liberation of every human being; of every nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation, Bishop Gomes wrote. His letter was read by Michael Tedrich, our diocese's missioner in Curitiba (full text). Joyce Parry Moore brought greetings from the Women's Caucus and Paul Riofski greeted us on behalf of Dignity's San Francisco Chapter.

After Eucharist, about 50 people marched the storied pride parade route down Market to 8th Street. Special thanks go to Travis Kennedy, George Carlson, Dan Burner, Andrew Aldrich, Trish Grima for serving as parade monitors and to Alex Han for helping with preparations and clean up.

Episcopalians from across the Bay Area celebrated Pride this year by telling stories, hearing talks, watching movies, raising the Rainbow flag high atop their steeple and preaching about the future of Oasis Californian, our diocesan LGBT ministry. Our celebration culminated as more than 100 people joined in this year's open air Pride Eucharist on Beale Street. Co-sponsored by the  San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of Lutherans Concerned North America the Eucharist included as it readings a selection from Harvey Milk's "Hope Speech" with St. Paul's riff on love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) and as our Gospel Mark 12:28-34. More photos here.  Download worship booklet here (a PDF file).

At left: Our Pride Ad from the Bay Area Reporter!

Here's a round up of Pride celebrations in our diocese during 2010:

Sun 5/30: Pride month kickoff service, 10am. Rev. Tom Jackson from Oasis California preaches, and we will blessed the rainbow flag at the altar in preparation for a flag-raising ceremony for Pride.  St. Paul's Episcopal Church Oakland

Tues 6/1, 8am, Rainbow flag-raising ceremony in front of St. Paul's. Chaplain Carol Luther led us in prayer as we raised the rainbow flag to celebrate our welcome of LGBT people. St. Paul's Episcopal Church Oakland

Weds 6/2, 7-9pm: Movie night.  Showing of Voices of Witness, a 44-minute video in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Episcopalians from the Los Angeles area--and their straight allies-- tell their stories. Followed by discussion. St. Paul's Episcopal Church Oakland

Sun 6/13: Pride picnic 12 pm at St. Paul's. BBQ, popcorn, and potluck picnic dishes in the courtyard outside St. Paul's. Pride month t-shirts were available for sale and Bedazzling to customize. Sunday, June 13, 9:30 a.m. St. Paul's Episcopal Church Oakland

Sunday, June 13, 9:30 a.m.: Yoga on the Labyrinth instructor and author Darren Main on his book Hearts and Minds: Talking to Christians about Homosexuality, Grace Cathedral. 

Sunday, June 20, 9:30 a.m.: Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Sandy Holmes, a Senior Development Associate for the American Civil Liberties Union, shared how they rediscovered their faith through their life together and their social justice work. Grace Cathedral.

Sunday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. Fr. Donal Godfrey, author of Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Grace Cathedral.   

Click on the image at above for a Bay Area Pride Calendar from The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.