I remember when, just a few years ago, it suddenly seemed like every major corporation had embraced #CelebratePride. You knew that June had arrived when everything featured a rainbow on their product or display windows. It seemed like a great way to get over any potential summer sales slumps! But this year, things seem to have taken a turn. Whether it is Bud Light, Target, or any other spaces that have experienced backlash, celebrating Pride is no longer a safe bet. While these events are evidence of how much progress remains, they are also a reminder that, not much has actually changed. From Compton’s Cafeteria in the Tenderloin to Stonewall in Greenwich Village (in that order!), the affirmation of Trans and Queer existence has always been a tenuous reality. Gil Baker reflected on this as he considered the artwork that SF Mayor Harvey Milk commissioned him to create: a symbol of unity in diversity that would affirm, inspire, and remind LGBTQ folks that standing together is beautiful, bright, and rooted in a vision of wholeness of life for all queer people. At City Church, it is tempting to focus on the joy of affirming this vision – in many ways, that is as it should be! Yet, we must forget that this joy is so rich because its cost is so high. This tension between pain and joy is something that the Apostle Paul came to know intimately throughout in his own ministry. As he transitioned from being primary terrorist to chief evangelist, Paul not only encountered the risen Christ who confronted him with his acts of persecution, but also came to experience intimately what it cost to follow that same Christ. This Sunday, as many City Churchers (nearly 50!) march in the Pride parade, we do so with Paul and all followers of a persecuted Christ, proclaiming with our feet the Good News of the gospel: that the world is hard but God is good. At the Russian Center, Pastor Joshua, along with City Churcher Amanda Samuel and Elder Kenny Oyedeji, will wrap up our Pride month series, reflecting on the ways in which our Queer Belovedness calls us to a fierce solidarity.

Faithfully,
Pastor Emily

STAFFING UPDATE - DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP

If you joined us in worship on June 18th, you would have heard our hiring team members – Nikki Milbrath (team lead) and Christi Chew share an important update regarding our search for a Director of Worship! You can read a blog post from the team here >

The youth group is putting on a fundraiser for our summer retreat this August! If you are a parent or caregiver looking for a night out to yourselves, our students would love to offer childcare and watch your little ones. All proceeds will go towards summer retreat costs for our youth. Additional donations are welcome and appreciated!

Cost: $30 per child. Spots are limited. Register Here >

COMMUNITY MISCELLANY

• Be sure to validate your parking on Sundays before returning to your car!
• IMPORTANT NOTE: We experienced some technology issues on Sunday so unfortunately there is no podcast or livestream. Had to be there! Thank you to Johnny and Kelly for a powerful sermon and testimony on how they’ve experienced healing with their lives and stories.
• We’re on Spotify! Check out our worship playlists - This Sunday and Worship Catalog
• Follow, Like or Subscribe to us online atYOUTUBE, IG, TWITTER, FACEBOOK.