22 July 2024
This year’s PRIDE was bigger and better than ever, with thousands of people pouring into the streets, parading with ‘Dottie’ the Drag-on Bassetlaw PRIDE Sculpture, and celebrating love and diversity in all its fabulous rainbow colour.
The Crossing Church were delighted to have a stall in the marketplace providing family activities and a prayer space for the second year running. We offered cupcake decorating (very popular!), a rainbow prayer wall, chalk-pavement decorating and chance to talk with our volunteers about the significance of the day.
One young man scribbled determinedly with a pavement chalk and gave us a kind smile as he left, having written “Take Me As I Am”. A young boy asked one of our team if the cupcake decorating was only for girls as there was a group of girls enjoying the craft, and was told in no uncertain terms that it was for everyone, to which he beamed!
The rainbow heart chalked on the ground asserting that “God Loves All” sums up this wonderful event. God was in the midst of everything, and spoke through the smiles, kindness and conversation.
We distributed 150 rolls of personalised Love Heart sweets and all 3 trays of cupcakes soon disappeared, but it was the atmosphere and conversations which really made an impact, from the youngest to the oldest (many of our volunteers are 70+ which somehow holds even more significance to the feeling of inclusion and joy of the day).
Our Deacon Emily donned an inflatable unicorn costume which was definitely a talking point, and several people were surprised and moved to know that she herself is in a same-sex marriage with Lisa – being present and welcoming at our stall was a real privilege, and we can’t wait to return next year!
The following day The Crossing had a meaningful PRIDE Celebration Service with such a positive and affirming atmosphere – we feel very blessed.