Announcement from Wellspring UCC:
The Rev. Candy Holmes will bring a justice-seeking message that “God’s love includes everyone” when she preaches at in Centreville this Sunday, March 18. Holmes is a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church DC, and brings together her Baptist and Pentecostal roots, strong interfaith experience, and community-based work for justice and hope. A dynamic preacher, she inspires and challenges us to hear and respond.
A resident of Prince Georges County, MD, Holmes was recently in the news when she spoke to the Maryland legislature on marriage equality. Holmes, a grandmother, testified about her experience:
“Marriage equality isn't a gay thing. It's a family thing. It is about the fundamental values that all who desire to marry should be afforded the freedom to do so without exception; that all couples, including same-sex couples deserve the joy, happiness and 'completeness' that comes with a civil marriage. It is about being free to show our commitment and love to one other in the presence of our Creator, our families, our friends, and our community. It is about building our family to be strong so we can contribute openly and freely, as productive and unapologetic contributing members of the larger Maryland family.”
Following the testimony by Holmes and others, the Maryland General Assembly passed marriage equality legislation, now signed into law by Maryland Governor O’Malley.
Visitors are welcome to hear her message at Wellspring, with worship this Sunday at 3:30 pm, in the historic chapel at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 5649 Mt. Gilead Rd., Centreville (the event is not sponsored by St. John's, it will be held by Wellspring UCC). For directions, check the website, www.wellspringucc.org. Guest musician at the service will be Reginald Carriker, with his deeply spiritual renditions of smooth jazz.
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