Padre’s Ponderings for June 2026

PRIDE Month is upon us, and I was just reflecting with St. John’s staff on how meaningful June is for me.  June is easily one of my favorite months due to PRIDE celebrations.  Being raised in a small town in WV, inclusion wasn’t high up on the priority list, especially when it came to LGBTQ+.  Sadly, all varieties of slurs were whispered and yelled about.  At one point in middle school-ish years, I was accused of being gay, and their words weren’t meant as compliments.  I was offended, angry, scared, but also a bit curious.  Sure, I had a girlfriend, but was I gay, too?  And what did it mean if I was gay?  Why was that a ‘bad’ thing? 

Turns out I am not gay, but thank God today I know that ALL are wonderfully made in the image of God and loved beyond our wildest imaginations!  Thank God, we of St. John’s, know and embrace the truth that Christ loves all of creation, including our PRIDE family.  Thank God that we celebrate and embrace the wideness and goodness of the rainbow colors, honoring and giving thanks for celebrations of PRIDE marriages, diaconal, priestly, and episcopate ordinations in every splendid color of the rainbow.  Thank God that the PRIDE family feels and knows they are welcome and belong in Christ and with St. John’s. 

Still today, many faith communities do not honor and celebrate Love for our PRIDE community.  ‘Gay’ is still a derogatory slur for many today.  St. John’s loves and celebrates our PRIDE family, and we invite our readers to celebrate and love them, too.  SAGA, “Straight and Gay Alliance,” is in Charleston’s PRIDE Parade again this year on June 6.  We’ll line up in front of the courthouse at 11:30.  SAGA will also have a booth in Slack Plaza with all of the other festival goers.  Please join us for the parade and/or at the booth. 

Additionally, St. John’s ‘Social Justice @ St. John’s’ and SAGA are collaborating on June 24 for a beautiful reception in Hunter Hall, St. John’s parish hall, for a time of celebrating PRIDE together.  At 6:00 p.m. on June 24, we’ll have our annual PRIDE Eucharist at St. John’s.  The Rt. Rev. Matthew Cowden will preside, and the Rev. Katie Beth Miksa, rector of The Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd in Parkersburg, will preach.  Our St. Ambrose Choir will sing a beautiful anthem, and the after-party reception in Hunter Hall following will be an event you won’t want to miss.

St. John’s, practicing inclusivity, justice, and faith in Christ!  All are welcome because all belong!  Will you join us and invite a friend to celebrate Christ’s love for our PRIDE community?

In God’s Grace,

The Very Rev. Eric L. Miller+

Rector of St. John’s & Dean of the Kanawha Deanery