From ZOAR LUTHERAN CHURCH
On Saturday, Aug. 16, more than 30 different faith communities, belonging to nine different denominations and traditions gathered together under one banner that stated, “Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride.”
This collaborative initiative began as a dream for two local pastors, Rev. Melanie Forrey of Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg and Rev. Megan Allen-Miller of both St. Andrews and All Saints Episcopal churches. Their dream came to fruition when they invited local faith communities throughout the region to join together as one unified group, a group who shares the values of modeling cooperation, celebrating diversity, and honoring inclusion for all people.
Participating faith communities joined together at Toledo Pride, donning “Better Together” shirts and their spirit for sharing their message “that spiritual connection and divine love is for all people.” Many participants walked in the parade while handing out high fives, smiles, and treats. Other participants gathered in a shared space at Trinity Episcopal Church to watch the parade together. Additionally, many continued the initiative by participating in the Toledo Pride festival and hosted shared booths at the event.
Participating faith communities included:
- All Saints Episcopal Church, Toledo
- Buddhist Temple of Toledo, Toledo
- Community of Christ Lutheran Church, Whitehouse
- Faith Lutheran Church, Swanton
- Faith United Lutheran Church, Toledo
- First Presbyterian Church, Perrysburg
- Glenwood Lutheran Church, Toledo
- Grace Lutheran Church, Toledo
- Hope Lutheran Church, Toledo
- Lutheran Church of the Master, Perrysburg
- Monroe Street United Methodist Church, Toledo
- Olivet Lutheran Church, Sylvania
- Park United Church of Christ, Toledo
- St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Toledo
- St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Toledo
- St. Mark Lutheran Church, East Toledo
- St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Ottawa Hills
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Maumee
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oregon
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Downtown Toledo
- St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Marketplace, Toledo
- St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Sylvania
- St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Perrysburg
- Sylvania First United Methodist Church, Sylvania
- Sylvania United Church of Christ, Sylvania
- Temple Shomer Emunim, Sylvania
- Toledo Campus Ministry, Toledo
- Trinity Episcopal Church, Toledo
- Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg
- Inclusive friends not connected to a community
- Additional unnamed congregations
Better Together participants enjoyed the celebration and the opportunity to work as one, proclaiming a message of hope, inclusion, and love. The goal of the initiative was to keep the message of inclusion alive moving forward: “We are better together!”
