RECOGNIZING INTERFAITH TAMPA BAY ON THEIR FIFTH ANNUAL INTERFAITH PRIDE WORSHIP SERVICE; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 104
(Extensions of Remarks - June 20, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E811-E812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING INTERFAITH TAMPA BAY ON THEIR FIFTH ANNUAL INTERFAITH PRIDE
WORSHIP SERVICE
_____
HON. CHARLIE CRIST
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Mr. CRIST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join
me in recognizing Interfaith Tampa Bay on their fifth annual Interfaith
Pride Worship Service in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am honored to
represent such an inclusive and diverse district. This worship service
demonstrates that an attitude of not just tolerance, but acceptance, is
shared by our faith leaders of all beliefs and backgrounds.
Interfaith Tampa Bay is an organization uniting faith leaders and
believers of different religious backgrounds, coming together in
prayer, service, and mutual support. The Pride Worship Service, taking
place within the city-wide celebration of St. Pete Pride, gives LGBTQ
members of the faith community an opportunity to worship and celebrate
God's love surrounded by those who accept and support them. The Pride
Worship Service invites all in attendance to worship at the altar of
compassion, kindness, and understanding.
Hosted by King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St.
Petersburg, Florida, the Pride Worship Service features leaders of the
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths. This service is
proceeded by a Pride March through the streets of the city to the steps
of the church, demonstrating the interconnectivity between faith,
pride, and self-love. It is a message to all that one need not choose
between their faith and their identity, and that it is only when we are
able to truly love ourselves that we are able to love God.
Through the Pride Worship Service and other community gatherings,
Interfaith Tampa Bay is fostering a sense of community between the
faith communities in our region, and reestablishing the church, mosque,
synagogue, and other houses of worship as places of love and
enlightenment for all. Recently, the organization hosted the Tampa Bay
Iftar Dinner to celebrate the Muslim observance of Ramadan and
recognize the achievements of Tampa Bay's Muslim community. In light of
recent incidences of violence within these sacred spaces, the role of
Interfaith Tampa Bay and similar institutions is incredibly important
in the fight against intolerance and hate.
On behalf of my Tampa Bay neighbors, I want to recognize Interfaith
Tampa Bay, King of Peace MCC, Allendale UMC, Congregation B'Nai Israel,
and all participating faith organizations for their support of the
LGBTQ community.
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