On Saturday, December 8th, our church received the Advocacy Congregation Award from the Faith Action Network, a statewide interfaith advocacy organization. We received the award for our marriage equality advocacy in 2012. The award was given at an awards dinner in Seattle. A large crowd was present that included Washington State Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Ed Murray.
In accepting the award, Pastor Brooks described the ripple effects of courage as he spoke of the Rev. Farley Maxwell and the members of our church who voted to become Open and Affirming 20 years ago.