This is our “Integrity window,” dedicated in honor of St. Stephen’s long-time commitment to LGBTQ+-inclusion. The window includes our affirmation from the Baptismal Covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” It is given in memory of those who died trying to be their authentic selves. The window was blessed and dedicated on April 2, 2016
Respecting the Dignity of Every Human Being
All people–whether young or old, gay or straight, single, married or in a relationship, female or male, poor or wealthy–are welcome and affirmed at St. Stephen’s. All are welcome here just as they are—a child of God and an inheritor of God’s grace.
St. Stephen’s is a safe place where all persons are valued for their full dignity and worth. All of God’s children are welcome at St. Stephen’s. We, living fully into our Baptismal Covenant, “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 305).
St. Stephen’s was one of the first parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota to fully welcome, include and affirm Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer persons. In every sense of the word we are not only “gay friendly,” we are gay-inclusive. In fact we are LGBTQ+-inclusive.
We have a long and dignified tradition of welcoming and full inclusion. .
Gay Marriage
On December 13, 2015, St. Stephen’s voted unanimously to seek Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (or DEPO) so that we could be allowed to provide and perform all the rites of the Church equally to all people, including same-sex marriage rites. Bishop Carol Gallagher was appointed at that time as our new bishop. Under her leadership, we were allowed to provide all rites equally to all people who seek them. St. Stephen’s was the first and only congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota allowed to bless and celebrate gay marriage.
Keywords: gayfriendly gayinclusive lbtq inclusive
