Beloved San Diego to hold Beloved Sunset

Beloved San Diego invites the congregation to join the Beloved Sunset Gathering. (Photo taken by Helena Lopes from Pexels.com)

The Beloved San Diego invites church members to enjoy Memorial Day weekend with a Beloved Sunset Gathering of friends on May 28 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

The church’s announcement mentioned that this event is an opportunity to enjoy an intimate conversation. There would also be meaningful bonding over drinks and light snacks while enjoying the sunset. Also, they ask those participants to bring their chairs, blankets, or jackets to stay warm.

They also noted that they would celebrate with the Lord’s Supper. Everyone is welcome to join in on whatever feels right. The church also invites the congregation to participate as they gather around the Table of Christ, whether they observe or fully partake.

Besides, during the event, they would utter the prayer chain. The community gathered these prayer lists at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 5K Walk last month. The website added that the church hopes everyone will attend the fun-filled, casual, and cozy gathering.

Freedom to Practice

The church also announced that there would be a communion. It is a celebration of the Lord’s dinner with elements provided to the participants. They would also have small group discussions while having drinks and light snacks. Members should also expect some outdoor activities, the website revealed.

They also reminded those interested that they are free to be who they are during the said gathering. The participants could also observe only and just skip the sharing part. The church also announced that they could name the sacred in whatever way felt correct. They could also be free from religious evangelizing, shame, and guilt.

Meanwhile, the church urges members to continue to help offer events such as the said gathering to the community for free. They encourage their congregation to donate to support Beloved San Diego’s continued efforts to serve their community.

Beloved San Diego

Beloved is a progressive, inclusive, and reflective Christian community, as noted in the church’s identity section. They revealed that they practice amazing grace, radical involvement, and relentless compassion. The church also believes that all people are beloved children of God. They celebrate the goodness of diversity of race, ethnicity, ability, gender, and sexuality.

More importantly, the website noted that the church is an open and affirming church member of the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance. They accept that individuals of all gender expressions and sexual orientations are embraced at the table of Christ’s communion. Also, they are welcome to whole life and leadership in their neighborhood.

Shame Has No Place

The church also emphasized that they are breaking the silence too long kept by the church and society on lived sufferings around mental illness, suicide, addiction, sexuality, and race. They noted that shame does not have any place in their church.

In line with this, Rev. Dale Suggs, the founding pastor, first foresaw Beloved as a ministry for those who have lost their home church. Some lost their homes because they had been bored, disoriented, and beaten. They added that the church’s ministry is for those betrayed by their church.

Beloved started as a community where those who find themselves outside the church can again enter into a religious community in security and love.