Ιmmanuel Presbyterian Church (USA): Leading the Way in Anchorage, AK

Since the early 2000s, the congregation of Immanuel Presbyterian Church (USA) in Anchorage, AK has actively promoted LGBTQ equality in the church and in the wider community. The first church in Anchorage to participate in the city's annual Pride Parade, they paved the way for many other mainline churches that now participate in the event. Today, Immanuel often marches with a larger group of congregations representing Episcopalian, ELCA, United Methodist, and other denominations.LGBTQ people have participated fully in the life of Immanuel for many years. This includes service on the Session, with the Deacons, in worship leadership, and general fellowship with the congregation. The Rev. Ellen Johnson-Price described realizing years ago that the pulpit supply preachers included a gay man, a lesbian, a transgender woman, a transgender man, and a cisgender heterosexual man. She remarked, “Those had not been intentionally planned to be diverse; they had simply been pastors, chaplains, and/or seminary-trained lay people who happened to have a relationship with the congregation and therefore were the most logical people to be asked to lead worship while I (the pastor) was away.” In emphasizing their affirming welcome, Immanuel publishes their inclusive mission statement on their Facebook page, website, bulletin, and even in the outgoing greeting of their church office answering machine. “I have had more than one person mention that reading this statement is what caused them to take note of Immanuel as being different than other churches that they had experienced and want to know more,” Johnson-Price noted. This statement reads: 

"We believe that all people are children of God and affirm the worth and dignity of all races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, genders and sexual orientations. Recognizing that we are an increasingly diverse culture and that there are differences among us, we make a commitment to lovingly accept our diversity with respect, compassion and understanding. We welcome ALL people into the full life and ministry of this church."

Rev. Johnson-Price values participation in the Covenant Network because it reminds the church that they have joined a larger movement. She said, “As the only Covenant Network congregation in our Presbytery, it can sometimes feel like we are alone in our advocacy for justice and LGBTQ+ equality within our denomination." Connecting with other congregations has offered not only inspiration and encouragement, but practical resources. Especially during the pandemic, Immanuel utilized resources such as the virtual pulpit supply that CNP provided, most recently in September with a sermon by the Rev. Matt Gaventa. “[We] knew that we could rely on these sermons to be engaging, relevant, and theologically faithful.” Encouraging churches that are considering an affirming stance, Johnson-Price said, “You never know who might read that official statement, or see that organization's symbol, and realize that you are a safe space for them. If making your stance official helps even one person to know that they are loved and welcome in your congregation, it is worth it."