By Rev. Colin Amato
For decades, if not for centuries, Queer people and members of the LGBTQ+ community have struggled to find a safe space to inhabit that is intentionally sacred. Queer folk can find church congregations or other spaces that are open and supportive of LGBTQ+ people. However, two areas that are not always being addressed: first, the plight of queer people who cannot find a physical space to come together in community, and second, the feedback from queer people who expressed the real desire for a spiritual space where being queer is the focus, as opposed to traditional church being the priority, and queer identity secondary.
The Rainbow Church’s mission is to be such a space that fulfills those two aforementioned areas. The Rainbow Church is currently conducting weekly worship services, broadcasting live each Sunday (www.facebook.com/rainbowchurchswedenborgian). Every third Sunday, we celebrate communion. We are in the process of rewriting the liturgy and worship service with language that puts queer identity and spirituality in the spotlight. We engage in queer hermeneutics of stories, scripture, and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.
Important and relevant for our time is to not ignore the social climate we are in, the pain it is causing to the LGBTQ+ community. This pain is necessary to be upfront and vocal about, and this is something that the Rainbow Church is committed to doing, in addition to praying and searching for ways to help those suffering.
The future for The Rainbow Church is optimistic. We plan to continue to engage in a hybrid model, meaning that in-person activities also take place. These include weddings, funerals, interfaith services, attending Pride events, and representing the church at local gatherings that further the spiritual well-being of the LGBTQ+ community.
We were pleased to co-sponsor a Be Honest Conversation with the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative, LGBTQIA+ Identity: Love, Gender, Marriage & Sexuality, at the end of May. Featured speakers included the Rainbow Church’s very own Rev. Colin Amato (he/him) and Alex Gayheart (they/them), as well as Tirah Keal (she/her), founding executive pastor of Bloom Haven (www.facebook.com/BloomHavenSCC).
Read the full issue of the June Messenger.
Meet Colin Amato
Rev. Colin was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ordained in 2022, he currently serves as pastor of the virtual community, The Rainbow Church, an online LGBTQ+ ministry of the Swedenborgian Church of North America. Rev. Colin, a licensed marriage and family therapist, also serves as the clinical director of Solano Pride Center and maintains a private psychotherapy practice.
