Local Churches Unite for LGBT Pride Service

Arlington Heights/Palatine, Illinois – May 16th – Members of many faiths will come together at a special service honoring the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. The service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16th at Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist (1025 N. Smith Street, Palatine).

Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist has collaborated with the Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington Heights to plan this event. The interfaith service will include themed homilies, readings, hymns, choir anthems, and prayers. Representatives from various religious traditions and LGBT-affirming faith groups will contribute to the celebration. Proceeds from an offering taken during the service will benefit Equality Illinois, a Chicago-based organization that supports LGBT rights. Following worship, attendees will have a unique opportunity to interact with service participants and explore their respective faith communities.

The May 16th event will be the third joint Pride Service co-sponsored by Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist and Congregational United Church of Christ. The churches first came together in 2011 to nurture a common belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. “[The upcoming] service is a visible demonstration of that commitment,” says event co-coordinator Dan Yokas.

Through this partnership, the churches hope to increase support for LGBT individuals in the suburban faith community. “So often, these types of services are restricted to larger urban areas that have a higher concentration of LGBT individuals and families,” explains Yokas. “We want LGBT individuals and families to know that they are not alone out here in the suburbs.”

To learn more, please contact Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist at (847) 359-8440.