“Building bridges to diversity every day” is the goal of The Church of the Palms, United Church of Christ, LGBTQ-plus ministry team as it continues its journey toward inclusiveness, embracing all not only in Sun City but surrounding communities.

The ministry is part of the church’s Social Justice Action Team and its task is to celebrate the diversity of all God’s creations through unconditional love, justice and extravagant welcome. In its initial mission statement, the group stated its role is to serve as a sanctuary, a place to embrace activities for the LBGTQ-plus and to expand inclusiveness, create understanding and activism through its message of support.

The church, 14808 N. Boswell Blvd., has a history of embracing all who walk through its doors. In 2017, The Church of the Palms demonstrated its commitment to welcoming all by flying the LGBTQ-plus pride flag below the American flag. It continues to be displayed there. The church also is an open and affirming spiritual house for all, regardless of age, sexuality, color, religion — a home to all.

The fledgling ministry is made up of 15 LGBTQ-plus members and allies and their planning mantra to dream and create big wishes that will employ social, physical and spiritual support to all who are searching for a home. That does not just mean in Sun City, but residents in Youngstown, El Mirage, Sun City West, The Grand, Glendale and Peoria. The group wants to become a vessel that attracts and draws in the needs of all, not just the nearby.

“As we move forward on this journey, we welcome everyone to join with us in making this ministry the cornerstone for LGBTQ-plus life not only here in Sun City, but in this part of the Valley,” said group organizer Georgia Feiste.

She has a gay son and said she is honored to serve as chairwoman of the group.

In its first few meetings, the group brainstormed ideas, including creating an LGBTQ-plus chorus, concerts, coffeehouses, multiple activities for LGBTQ-plus people and their allies, and educational and spiritual programs. For the last 10 years, The Church of the Palms has designated the last Sunday in June as Open and Affirming and embraces the struggle and melee LGBTQ-plus face in this country and the world. The group recently had a booth and volunteers staffed a table as part of the Pride Rainbow Festival in downtown Phoenix.

“And it was not just LGBTQ-plus people staffing the booth,” Feiste added. “There were just as many allied supporters who also spent hours welcoming festival participants.”

She said the LGBTQ-plus ministry looks forward to being a part of the Phoenix Pride Parade later this year.

The LGBTQ-plus ministry is not just a platform focused on creating events and activities, it is a foundation and association for all LGBTQ-plus people. Their rallying call is The Church of the Palms is a safe and welcoming place that is community and spiritually-based and is the cornerstone of the nuclear family.

Contact Feiste at gfeiste@gmail.com or president@lgbtclubofsuncity.com.

Visit thepalms.org.

Editor’s Note: We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.