Pride Sunday: That Never Was God

Happy Pride Sunday, Middle!

I pray you feel seen in all the fullness and wholeness that is YOU, today and every day. If you are marching today or have been this month, send us your pics! You can drop them here.

I can’t wait to hear Macky preach this passage. As a cishet Black woman, I am practicing allyship to the best of my ability, learning from my missteps, trying again. I think that’s why this verse from today’s pericope stood out to me. Isaac has the heavy load of wood, while his father, Abraham, carries the fire and the knife. Isaac is the one going (albeit unknowingly) to his own death, while his father (who is actively is to be actively involved in Isaac’s demise) seems to be carrying less of the burden.

Now, of course, you could make a whole argument about the psychological and emotional burden that Abraham carried, but isn’t that where allyship starts to fall apart? Because the minute we turn our heads to consider Abraham in this fashion, Isaac, the one who is at the center of this injustice, is decentered.

I wonder, as we march today in the Queer Liberation March, where you stand on this. Who is centered? Are you the one carrying the burden? Are you the one leaving others with the heaviest burden? Are you the one causing harm?

Let’s show up today, Middle, to all the joy and celebration of a Happy Pride Month. AND may we show up to the work and dedication it takes to ensure Pride exists the rest of the year as well. If you need a little more inspiration, check out this Mayor Mamdani’s ‘Talk with the People’ featuring our Allan!

See you at church,

Rev. Natalie Renee Perkins

Executive Minister for Hybrid Church

she/her/hers