Vandalism Won't Stop Danbury Church from Spreading Message of Acceptance

Members of Danbury's Unitarian Universalist Church say they were drawn to its message of acceptance. But the message that the members love became a target for vandalism.

“I walked in and it wasn't 20 minutes when I knew this was something amazing, something special,” said Jane Leff of Ridgefield.

Last year, the congregation began publicly displaying its support for same-sex marriage. However, someone took offense to the flag flying at the entrance to the church; not once, not twice.

"This was the third time. It was burned two times before and replaced. Then the last time the crossbar was snapped off and it was taken,” explained parishioner Michael Stengle.

“It made us feel very sad and somewhat shaken,” added Rev. Barbara Fast.

After 49-people were killed inside a gay nightclub in Orlando, the UU church held an interfaith vigil for the victims, bringing together various faith leaders and the Muslim community. It's efforts like those that got the attention of Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty.

During Sunday services, Esty gave the church a new pride flag that was bigger than the others.

"However many flags it takes we'll just keep putting them on up,” she told the 75 parishioners in attendance.

Esty also acknowledged the congregations' advocacy for the LGBT community, a cause that's profoundly personal.

"As the sister of a gay man who came out in 1978, the sort of hatred we're seeing right now is completely unacceptable for me,” she said.

However, when asked what the proper punishment should be for the person behind the theft, should police ever find them, she said it wasn’t about punishment.

"It's returning hatred not with hatred but with love and saying like you don't really understand the pain you're inflicting because if you did wouldn't do it,” Esty explained.

The church’s leader said she appreciated Esty’s gesture, and added that the recognition will help them as they continue to spread a message of hope

"To have the acknowledgement that love is love is love is love growing in our country is really heartening,” said Fast.

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