Every community has its prophets, those who are called to speak truth to power, those who cannot sit by and witness injustice.  It is not easy work.  In 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, when Elisha responds to the call, Elijah ruefully wonders “what have I done to you?”. For Elisha must leave his family, his neighbours and his way of life behind him.  Jesus too speaks of the cost of discipleship in Luke 9:51-62.

The challenges encountered by those who follow the prophetic path can lead to anger and bitterness: the disciples respond to their rejection by the Samaritan village by threatening to call down fire just as Elijah had before them (2 Kings 1).  But Jesus models a different path: when he is not welcomed, he simply moves on until he finds a place of welcome and there, he leaves a blessing.

Yesterday marked the 56^th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots when members of the LGBT community took a stand to protect a place that had welcomed them when they were rejected.

Today we mark Pride Sunday to recognize how hard that community has worked, and still works, to build a world in which all are welcome.

As we strive to leave behind us a church which has not always found it easy to follow Jesus’ ministry of radical inclusion, and to create a place of welcome; we give thanks for the many blessings we have received from members the LGBT community, past and present, who have worked and worshipped alongside us.

Some major roof maintenance started this week. The old roof is being re-covered but with new upstands and skylights ( to replace the existing, many of which are broken). The new ones are triple glazed, improving heat performance.