Stand Together: A Call to Protect Our Neighbors and the Freedom to Worship
Dear Pledge Family,
Members of our community are under attack. Churches in our region are being harassed and threatened—simply for who they are and what they believe. We cannot stand by in silence. This is a call to action.
The Central Florida Pledge is built on a commitment to treat all people with respect, especially those with whom we disagree. But it is also more than that—we have become the only community-based response team standing against acts of hate and intimidation. Now, it is time for us to act.
Last Sunday, JOY Metropolitan Community Church—a church formed for and by the LGBTQ+ community—was invaded by a group of self-proclaimed “Christians” seeking to disrupt their worship and intimidate the congregation. This was not their first visit to JOY MCC; it was an escalation. Other churches, including Broadway United Methodist, Windermere Union Church, and St. Luke’s United Methodist, have also been targeted.
This kind of interruption is illegal. Disrupting worship services violates City ordinance s.42.07(3) and Florida Statutes s.871.01(1). More importantly, it is an attack on human dignity and the fundamental right to worship freely and without fear.
I will not sit this one out. This Sunday, I will leave my own church duties to stand outside JOY MCC during their worship service—to be a peaceful but visible presence against those who would seek to intimidate. I invite you to stand with me.
I know many of you have Sunday commitments, but for those who can turn out, your presence matters. If we gather enough volunteers, maybe we can extend this “circle of protection” to other churches as well.
Let me be clear: We are not there to argue theology, protest, or take a political stance.We are there to stand with our neighbors in love and solidarity, offering support so they don’t feel alone. We are there to ensure the freedom of worship guaranteed by the First Amendment and to build the community we all want for our families and friends and neighbors.
If you are willing to join me in this peaceful stand against hate, click below to sign up and I will get back to you with more details.
With resolve and hope,
Dr. Joel C. Hunter
Central Florida Pledge Chairman
