The gay-friendly Wedgewood church in North Carolina, USA has responded to vandals after the church doors where graffitied with homophobic slurs.
The church is known for its inclusivity and acceptance stating that “All are welcome here,” women, men and children, people of any colour, culture, age, ability, economic status, sexuality or affectional orientation.
Pastor Chris Ayers arrived at the church to find a sign that stated “LGBT equality” outside its doors, had been covered with black paint, and the message “fags are pedos” scrawled on the doorway.
First reported by WCNC, the church has come back even brighter than ever, after its congregation refused to be intimidated by the anti-gay message scrawled over the church just days after the Carolina Pride festival.
“My heart goes out to all my LGBT friends whose hearts have been pierced so many times. This is one more heart-piercing,” Pastor Chris Ayers wrote on Facebook.
“I can’t imagine all the hurt and rejection.”
Rather than bowing down to the homophobic vandalism, the church came together in the days that followed, holding a service focused on community, equality and acceptance, and painting over the graffiti with a giant rainbow.
Church deacon Kimberlee Walker said, “No amount of spray paint is going to stop us.”
The church said they may consider temporarily taking down the LGBT equality sign, in favour of a message directed at the vandals themselves: “We forgive you”.
Last Updated on Aug 28, 2015
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