Kindred in Christ,

Happy Pride Month!

This June, I’m thrilled to invite you into a new worship series:
Unbounded Love: A Series on Pentecost and LGBTQIA+ Celebration.

Rooted in the powerful imagery of Pentecost—the Spirit moving freely, breaking down walls, and drawing people together across language, culture, and difference—this series celebrates the holy work of liberation, authenticity, and beloved community. We’ll explore how the Spirit continues to set people free, how love cannot be contained or confined, and how God’s desire for us is not conformity, but courageous, diverse unity.

In a world that too often tries to bind people with shame or fear, especially our LGBTQIA+ siblings and selves, this is a time to proclaim loudly and clearly: God’s love is unbounded. It is expansive, freeing, and for everyone.

The title for this series is drawn from the beloved hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, which describes Jesus as “pure unbounded love.” In early Wesleyan theology, that phrase was a way of expressing the radical idea that in Christ, God’s love had broken every barrier and come fully into the human experience. That same unbounded love continues to move among us, inviting us to become more free, more compassionate, and more deeply connected to God and each other.

Each Sunday, we’ll dive into stories of liberation and connection. This week, we begin with the story of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:16–34) and Jesus’ prayer that all may be one (John 17:20–26). We’ll reflect on how the Spirit breaks chains, opens hearts, and brings new life, even in the darkest places. We’ll also look at how Jesus’ prayer for unity is not about sameness, but about love that honors diversity—and how that shapes the kind of church we are called to be.

And there’s more to celebrate! On Wednesday, June 4, we’ll be hosting a Drag Story Time for the neighborhood, featuring the renowned, Filipina, drag queen and activist Aleksa Manila. Aleksa brings joy, creativity, and bold advocacy to every space she enters, and we’re honored to welcome her as part of our Pride Month festivities.

Wherever you are on your journey of faith or identity, you are welcome here. Whether you’re a longtime member or visiting for the first time, I hope you’ll join us for this series—and bring a friend! Let’s continue building an inclusive, Spirit-led, justice-loving community where every person is embraced as God’s own.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz