Winners of the hat contest line up to receive their prizes at the 2024 GLEAM Garden Party on June 2 at the episcopal residence, home of Bishop John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O’Connor. Photos: Janet Kawamoto
[The Episcopal News – June 5, 2024] The world desperately needs the witness of LGBTQIA+ Christians because their struggles for inclusion, equality and recognition have given them unique skills and perspective, Bishop John Harvey Taylor told Episcopalians gathered at his Pasadena home for the annual Bishop’s Commission on LGBTQ Ministries garden party on June 2, the beginning of Pride Month.
Christopher Montella, retiring chair of GLEAM, takes a bow as he passes the rainbow baton to his successor, Thomas Diaz, as Susan Russell, diocesan staff liaison to the commission, looks on.
Taylor delivered his remarks before a playful but heartfelt ceremony in which the Very Rev. Christopher Montella, who has served as chair of the commission since 2016, handed a symbolic rainbow-hued leadership baton to former vice-chair Thomas Diaz, member of All Saints Church, Pasadena, who now is chair of the commission, known as “GLEAM.”
Echoing Taylor’s comments, the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, the diocese’s canon for Engagement Across Difference and staff liaison to GLEAM, told the group, “You are here for a reason. And the reason is the aching need of this world, of this church, of this planet for a vision of love inclusivity and beloved community, and queer people are the ones to lead the way. This is who we are, this is what we do, and there’s no better place to do it from than the Diocese of Los Angeles.”
Bishop Taylor’s blog post, with more photos of the event, is here.
Russell thanked Montella, who is rector of St. Stephen’s Church, Santa Clarita, and dean of Deanery 2, for his service as chair, and invited all LGBTQIA+ Episcopalians to join what she called “the GLEAM Team” to continue carrying out its ministry. No matter what their interests or skills – throwing parties, organizing advocacy and action, designing liturgies, sharing information – “we’re going to have a workgroup for you,” Russell said.
Thomas Diaz, new GLEAM chair, addresses the gathering.
Diaz, the new chair, shared his own story of discovering The Episcopal Church some eight years ago. Uneasy about his place as a gay man in God’s world, he stumbled on a YouTube video of a sermon by Russell that led him to All Saints Church, Pasadena, and its active LGBTQIA+ community. He has since joined the All Saints staff, been elected a deputy to General Convention, and served on the nominating committee that determined the slate of candidates for The Episcopal Church’s next presiding bishop, to be elected at the convention in Louisville, KY, later this month.
“Right now, we’re equipped to go out into the world, be disciples of [God’s] love, and most importantly, remind the world … that we are all made and created in that image of great divine love. We are worthy of love, and belonging.”
The event concluded with a hat contest, with prizes for best use of flowers, best use of Pride colors, best message or theme, best matching hats, and best upcycled or handmade hat.
GLEAM’s next project is the L.A. Pride Parade at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 in Hollywood. Bishop Taylor will lead the Episcopal Church contingent. Others who wish to participate need to sign up by emailing gleamlainfo@gmail.com. For more information, see the Episcopal News Update for June 9.
