Ten years ago, the United Methodist Church of Red Bank, by unanimous vote, became a Reconciling Congregation, welcoming all to its community, regardless of gender or sexual identity. This year, the congregation consecrated new paraments celebrating June as Pride Month.
Robin Foster, the maker of the new paraments, said every June she felt that the green paraments in the sanctuary didn’t do enough to express the congregation’s commitment to be welcoming to all. Inspiration struck early in 2025 and the rainbow-hued designs were hung on June 22nd. The set includes a rising sun for the altar, cloths for the pulpit and lectern, and a stole for Pastor Cameron Overbey.
“For over a decade now,” says Pastor Cam, “UMCRB has discerned a holy calling to being a place of intentional inclusion – mirroring Christ’s work of ever broadening the horizons of the Kingdom of God. Now more than ever, we strive to be a community of faith where all can be celebrated as the truest versions of themselves: surrounded by divine love, safe, and celebrated. These marvelous paraments visually demonstrate the beauty of this holy calling and remind us of the joyful nature of our reconciling work.”
On Sunday November 2, to mark the 10th anniversary of the official vote to become a Reconciling Congregation, Pastor Overbey commemorated the milestone, noting the church’s 10 years of being a welcoming sanctuary to all who have faced hate and oppression.
