The folks at the Welcoming Community of Christ say they offer more than just a weekly church service and Sunday school class. Maggie Fout says, “Everybody is a little broken, but together we can help heal those wounds. We want to heal the broken places in people. We want to do that for our whole community and not just for the people who walk through our doors.”
While Welcoming Community of Christ is known for its ministry aimed at members of the LBGTQ community, Fout says they are well aware that our area is struggling with other issues like poverty, drugs, and loneliness. To reach out to those in need who aren’t necessarily interested in attending church services, they offer a weekly coffee and conversation meeting on Thursdays at 6 pm. “We get together for coffee, sit around and talk about social justice issues and community issues. What we can do to bring our community together and lift it up.”
The church also offers support group meetings for LBGTQ adults and youth and a transgender support group. Pastor Bennie Blevins said he also hopes to start a group to help those living with HIV. “People living HIV feel like they don’t belong. Our community is trying to let everyone know they do belong.”
Blevins said that sometimes people join the secular groups and eventually feel moved to become part of the church. “We’ve had people come for the support groups, then slowly join coffee and congregation, and then mingling into the services. We’re not downing any other faith, but some people have felt shunned.”
Welcoming Community is hosting a family-friendly Valentine’s Day party on February 15 and is also the founder of the Portsmouth Pride Parade. You can learn more about events at the church by visiting their Facebook page.
