The Scarves: Reflecting God's Love for All God's Children

With the noise of a busy Exhibition Hall in the background, Janet Edwards places a scarf on Susan Craig and gives her a charge: "We want the church to reflect God's love for all God's children."



In a Presbyterian News Service article about the scarves:

Bright colors of yarn are used to symbolize diversity and call for the inclusion of LGBT members (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) in every aspect of church life from ordination to marriage. The scarves are being made for the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in Minneapolis July 3-10. They'll be worn by participants who support LGBT rights within the church...

The rainbow has a long symbolic history, starting with the Biblical account of God’s covenant with Noah after the flood. Ancient South American cultures, including the Incans, used rainbow imagery. Reformation-era German theologian Thomas Muntzer is often depicted with a rainbow flag. In the 1960s, an Italian rainbow flag became an international symbol of peace. The first gay pride rainbow flag was flown in 1978 and has become the icon for the LGBT community.

"The rainbow is a natural sign of God's love for all, and so a lifeline of hope to any group who feels left out," Edwards said. "Since the time of Noah, God’s covenant has included all creation. The scarves are an invitation to the church to join in what God is already doing."

Based on the number of scarves arriving at the General Assembly, More Light Presbyterians will reach their goal of having 1,500 scarves!