Rev. Dr. Joseph Shore-Goss understands the importance of creating a spiritual community for everyone. He serves as the head of the Faith United Church of Christ, an LGBTQ+-inclusive church in Bradenton, a smaller city located on Florida’s eastern central coast.
His church’s slogan: “Jesus didn’t reject people. Neither do we.”
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Shore-Goss is a professionally trained pastor and chaplain who has trained to work with all denominations — even those who have no denomination — and “as one who accompanies people through some of the toughest parts of being human,” he says. He also specializes in American Sign Language interpreting and hospice work for those dealing with end-of-life issues.
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“We cherish our diversity,” his welcome page on his church’s website states. “We are Gay, Straight, Bi, Trans-Gender, Queer, non-binary, Inter-sex, +. We are old and young (though more of us are older). We have different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds, but we celebrate God’s amazing grace and love for all!”
“We don’t offer easy answers, but we do offer authentic faith and the promise to walk with you as we seek to be God’s people in Bradenton,” he adds.
He has previously counseled transgender children at a hospital, comforted people who lost their homes to wildfires,, and spent time in hospitals with kids and parents involved in a bus crash, according to The Sentinel Source.
Kathleen Oliver, vice moderator of the church council, said of him, “He does not preach from the pulpit. He stands down in front” — among the people.
Shore-Goss told LGBTQ Nation, “I have been out and celebrating Pride for 24 years. I have recently been called to serve Faith United Church of Christ in Bradenton. This is my first pride in small-town Florida. We are creating a refuge for all who seek family and welcome!”
Pride in Pictures is LGBTQ Nation’s annual series celebrating Pride across the country. We asked our readers to send in their pictures and stories of Pride and we got so many rainbows. Keep an eye out for more heartwarming stories to get you ready for Pride Month 2024.