Celebrating Pride Month

By Heidi Gudelman, UCOH Board Trustee and Prayer Chaplain

Unity Church of the Hills is an open-minded and open-hearted spiritual community that embraces each of us as expressions of the Divine.

We intentionally create a safe space that honors the diversity and uniqueness of every person. We lovingly welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs and political views, while valuing the inherent worth and dignity of everyone. What continues to speak to me is this….

Here at UCOH, we honor the universal truths in all religions and respect each individual’s right to choose a spiritual path. We support a positive approach to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus as well as the teachings of many spiritual masters that resonate with those teachings.

As a congregant and leader in our UCOH community, I’m deeply moved by the courage and authenticity that is celebrated during Pride Month. What touches me is how the LGBTQIA+ journey also mirrors the universal spiritual path we all walk - the journey toward our authentic self-expression and divine truth. We each have our own journey on this path, and I’ll share an aspect of my journey.

I was raised a Catholic and went to Catholic school in my early years and eventually attended public school when we moved to Texas. As I grew into adulthood I carried those foundational teachings about God’s love with me. In particular, I carried with me the profound effect that music had on me, the devotion that my parents and relatives had about their beliefs, and the power of prayer that my Catholic upbringing instilled in me.

However, it was during my adult spiritual exploration that I realized some of those traditional beliefs were limiting me. I found myself moving away from the familiar structures of my childhood religion. Through music and study, I discovered Unity principles and teachings. In a sense, this represented a way of coming out.

I moved from a more traditional religious framework to embracing Unity’s understanding of divine love as truly unconditional and all-encompassing. I still honored the sacred elements of my spiritual foundation, and those sacred aspects continue to nourish my soul today. Unity teachings profoundly affected me in my personal relationships and in my work life.

In Unity, we teach that our spiritual identity is whole, divine and unique. When I witness the bravery of those who live openly and authentically, I see a powerful demonstration of what it means to honor the Christ within.

This isn’t about any particular identity or orientation for me - it’s more about the fundamental spiritual principle that God expresses through infinite diversity. Each person and their expression are sacred.

The invitation of coming out that Joni Lorraine beautifully explores in her blog this month resonates far beyond any single experience of mine and yet it permeates throughout my life thus far.

As spiritual beings, we are all called to come out from, or leave behind, a mask or identity we may wear out of fear, or an identity that protects us from societal condemnation or the loss of our job or limiting thoughts that hold us back from truly expressing our divinity. We are all invited each day to step into the fullness of who we are and who we are meant to be. Whether someone is revealing their sexual orientation, leaving some limiting beliefs behind, pursuing a passion, or simply learning to love themselves more fully - these are all acts of spiritual courage.

That’s been my hero’s journey so far as well. I live my hero’s journey by serving on our UCOH Board, as a Prayer Chaplain, and through my own passions - my love for my family, friends, music, photography and being in the splendor of nature.

As a Prayer Chaplain, I am reminded that God is everywhere Present and it is up to me to see the face of God in all I interact with and to hold them as whole and complete. We are not broken, damaged or need to be fixed. I am called to hold “sacred space” for everyone.

When we support our LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters, we’re not just being inclusive - we’re recognizing the divine love that moves through all creation. We’re acknowledging that God’s love knows no boundaries, and that being authentic is always a movement toward wholeness.

During Pride Month, I am reminded again and encourage myself and our entire community to reflect on where we might be called to greater authenticity in our own lives. How is the Divine seeking to express more fully through me and through each of us?

The spiritual path is ultimately about coming home to ourselves - and in doing so, coming home to God. Those who have walked the path of “coming out” in any form are our teachers in courage. We come out every day when we love ourselves and each other, knowing that we are all unique and yet Divinely One.

With a grateful heart… I say…

Welcome Home

I close with this prayer…

Loving Spirit that is in each of us, we know and affirm the beauty of each human soul and acknowledge that we are interconnected with one another. We cultivate the space in our hearts and in our spiritual community that nurtures the sacredness of all and embrace them with compassion and understanding. We honor the differences among us while grounding ourselves in a faith that unites us.

We extend love, grace, kindness and generosity to one another.

And so it is, and so it shall be.

Amen