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First Church's 'Everyday People' March in Pride Parade
June 19, 2005
More than two dozen members and friends of First Church joined in the area's annual Pride Parade held on Father's Day, June 19, in downtown Portland. It was the seventh time our congregation was represented in Portland Pride's headline event, a parade that celebrates our diversity and the contributions of the sexual minority community.
This year's theme was "Everyday People," and as always, the event lived up to that promise with a colorful array of participants and onlookers representing the area's multifaceted GLBT community, their friends and family, and many other supporters. Thousands of appreciative onlookers lined the route, giving the First Church contingent -- a convertible festooned with flowers by Marty Martin and colorful banners identifying our church and our church website, followed by our platoon of hand-waving, balloon-carrying and banner-lifting United Methodists -- hearty applause and a generously warm welcome. Many of the marchers noted that this year's welcome seemed more pronounced than previous years. Our contingent welcomed many United Methodist friends along the route, and as the parade unfolded, our numbers increased!
Our presence received some positive attention from local ABC affiliate KATU (2), which focused on the coincidence of Pride festivities with Father's Day. KATU's Shelley Bailey Shaw interviewed Daniel Sene about his role as a father and the values he wants to instill to his children regarding diversity and inclusiveness. Daniel's remarks, along with footage of the convertible filled with children and family, were aired on KATU's evening newscasts.
First Church's participation was organized by Bill Birge, First Church's chair of reconciling ministries, with help from David Perkins, Marty Martin, Paul Adams and the Rev. Brenda Sene.
--Submitted by Paul Nickell
©2005-2008 First United Methodist Church, Portland, Oregon.
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