Help Restore Our Pride & Trans Banners– A Message of Love

In the quiet hours between June 7th and 8th, someone stole the Pride banner from the front of United Congregational Christian Church in Eureka, California. On the evening of June 9th, after we replaced it with a Trans Pride banner, that too was destroyed—shredded under cover of darkness. These acts of vandalism occurred just after our church proudly hosted a booth at the local Pride event, standing in visible solidarity with the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

This isn’t the first time our banners have been targeted. But we will not be silent—and we will not back down from our call to love boldly and publicly.

United Congregational Christian Church has been an Open and Affirming congregation since 1995, committed to welcoming, affirming, and protecting the dignity of people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. As a dual-affiliated church of both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we are grounded in traditions of justice, inclusion, and community. Our church has stood in Eureka for over 165 years, and we remain dedicated to being a refuge and voice for all who are marginalized.

The banners—bearing messages like “A Just World for All” and representing both Pride and Trans communities—are sacred symbols of visibility, hope, and affirmation. Replacing them is more than a repair. It’s a proclamation: We are still here, and our love will not be erased.

We are raising funds to:

Replace the stolen and destroyed Pride and Trans Pride banners

Purchase a stock of banners to quickly replace any future acts of vandalism

Securely mount banners in ways that deter future theft and destruction

Support our Community Pride Dinner on June 28, an event of welcome, celebration, and healing

Fund the Outreach and Social Justice ministry of our church, continuing our work in solidarity with all oppressed and marginalized groups in our region

As John 3:20 reminds us:

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”

We will not retreat into the shadows. We will bring the light.

We invite you to donate—whether it's $5 or $15—to help us carry forward this ministry of visibility, welcome, and justice. Your support says clearly and powerfully:

Love is stronger than hate. And love will always rise again.

Thank you for standing with us.