A church in Milwaukie, Oregon, has gained widespread attention for its series of inclusive signs that reflect its values of acceptance and love for all individuals, regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation.
The Clackamas United Church of Christ has been praised for its efforts to spread a message of inclusivity to its community and beyond.
Pastor Adam, who leads the church, initiated the idea of creating these unique and welcoming signs as a way to reach out to passersby and make the church's values more visible. While the church building was present in the neighborhood, many were unaware of its beliefs and principles.
To address this, Pastor Adam launched a fundraiser to design and install inclusive signs outside the church. The signs aim to share the church's commitment to welcoming people from all walks of life. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with people stopping their cars to express gratitude for the church's open and inclusive stance.
Pastor Adam shared his reason for the initiative, telling Bored Panda, "Amidst the pain of the world and all the hate, people are thirsty for something deeper. The truth of the Gospel is that all people are loved. The sin is when we start treating certain people and groups as if they are not loved."
He emphasized that the church's mission aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who criticized those who used religion to marginalize others. The church seeks to follow Jesus' example by promoting love, acceptance, and kindness.
Images of the signs have been shared on Pastor Adam's social media account @clackamasucc, further extending the reach of the church's inclusive message. One sign reads, "Kind atheists are closer to Jesus than mean Christians," emphasizing the importance of kindness over judgment.
Another sign encourages people to "be kind" and acknowledges that everyone is facing their own struggles, while a third sign conveys, "Do not body shame, 11th commandment," promoting body positivity and acceptance.
Pastor Adam noted that the response from the community has been overwhelmingly supportive, with other churches in the area embracing the signs. Negative reactions have been rare, with only occasional criticism from individuals who felt the signs did not align with their interpretation of the Bible.
In a world often marked by division and hate, the Clackamas United Church of Christ's inclusive signs serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and compassion for all.
In other news, Shia LaBeouf, the actor whose career has been marked by legal troubles and personal challenges, has taken a significant step in his spiritual journey by converting to Catholicism and receiving the sacrament of confirmation.
This transformative decision reflects his sincere desire to grow in his relationship with God and live according to Gospel values, according to a statement shared on the Facebook page of the Capuchin Franciscans-Western American Province.
Capuchin friar Brother Alexander Rodriguez, who served as LaBeouf's confirmation sponsor, revealed that the actor aspires to become a deacon in the future.
Rodriguez shared that LaBeouf's interest in the diaconate emerged during the filming of the 2022 movie Padre Pio, in which he portrayed the titular Italian Capuchin friar, ultimately recognized as a saint.
