Dear Friends and Neighbors:

We live in troubling times. Times where anger and hatred play out on the public stage and in the halls of power. Times when isolation and fear can engulf us, leaving us feeling abandoned and alone. Times when our very selves, our very human dignity is under attack.

In these troubling times, please know that you are not alone. If you identify as LGBTQIA-plus, the Episcopal Church sees, loves and affirms you. We believe that God is nonbinary, and that humanity itself reflects this great and beautiful spectrum of diversity. We believe that all in the LGBTQIA-plus community are made in the image and likeness of God, and are God’s beloved. We stand against bigotry, bullying, conversion therapy and all forms of abuse. If you are an immigrant or refugee, the Episcopal Church sees, loves and affirms you. We believe that no human being is “illegal.” We commit to protecting and defending the human dignity of immigrants, refugees and all those who fear deportation. And we support a pathway to citizenship for “dreamers.” If you are Black, Indigenous, or a person of color, the Episcopal Church sees, loves and affirms you. We stand against racial injustice. We recognize the racial bias of our mass incarceration system, and seek public policies to end it. If you are poor and in need, the Episcopal Church sees, loves and affirms you. We commit to working to change public policy to help the poor and those in need, and to repair our social safety nets.

We, in the Episcopal Church, stand in solidarity with you. We see you. We love you. We affirm you. Call on us if you need us. Together, we can stand the test of these troubling times. We can confront ignorance, bigotry and hatred in all its forms. We can guard and honor the dignity of each and all of us, of every friend and neighbor, of every human being.

The Rev. Kenneth R. Hitch

Episcopal Priest

Lake Placid