LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — On Saturday, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church hosted its first Lights of Pride event before its annual pride service on Sunday.
The event was organized by director, and church priest, David Zwifka and offered people the chance to meditate, reconcile and pray ahead of Sunday’s service.
“We had about 120 people attend that service so it was very successful [and] we thought we would continue that,” Zwifka explained.
Described as an open and affirming congregation, the church welcomes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“While there are some Christian communities that don’t feel the same way we do, there are others that do as well, and so we wanted to make sure that that message gets out,” Zwifka said.
The church is also home to the Lebanon satellite office of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, which provides pride-centered services to church members and nonmembers.
Susan Fetzer is the primary liaison and works with about 30 people within the church.
“Right now, we have a youth group and recovery group up and running," Fetzer said, who began her work with the church last year. "We are also in the process of getting a 50+ veterans group up and hope to do some other groups as well,”
Members of the church say the groups helped rekindle their faith and encourage anyone struggling with trauma to reach out.
“This is the first church that I ever felt absolutely comfortable and welcome in, and that is so refreshing,” Fetzer expressed.
“We will strive for justice and peace and work for the dignity of all human beings, and this is part of that effort,” Zwifka added.
Sunday’s service begins at 10:30 a.m. and is expected to conclude by 1 p.m., prior to the Lebanon Pride Festival.