Rev. Kathy Boss in front of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua. Courtesy photo/SUE CORMAN

NASHUA – A disturbing incident that violated the sanctity of earlier this month has prompted us to speak out. On August 10, a Merrimack man stole a sacred object from our altar in front of several church members who were preparing for our Sunday morning service and who attempted to stop him.

We later learned from police after the suspect was arrested that his motive in snatching the chalice was connected to his belief that churches should not welcome the LGBTQ+ community. His objection to one of the fundamental principles of our church–inclusion– must be addressed. Our congregation and its leaders want to emphasize that our commitment to LGBTQ+ people is steadfast, and we will not be intimated by fear.

In 2026, the Episcopal Church worldwide will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our church affirming that LGBTQ+ people have a full and equal claim to the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the church. Church of the Good Shepherd clergy, lay leadership and parishioners stand firmly behind this affirmation. And we fully understand that, as recent events illustrate, the struggles for inclusion and equality are still present and real for LGBTQ+ people. We stand in solidarity, loving and living the word of God in the world.

Every Sunday, along with many other Episcopal churches, we fly the pride flag outside of our church. Each year we participate in the Nashua Pride Parade. And we will continue to do so despite, and because of, the kind of hate exemplified by the actions of the perpetrator. As one of our LGBTQ+ parishioners wrote regarding our participation in pride celebrations: “While there is abundant joy in pride celebrations, it is an important time of solidarity, support and recognition of the fight for queer liberation that has been on for generations and continues today. Churches have played a terrible role in this oppression which has caused LGBTQ+ people to shy away from us making it doubly important for churches to show up in full support — not just in our words but in our actions.”

Jesus consistently stood with the oppressed and the stigmatized. He did so openly and often to the discomfort of the status quo. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The greatest law is the simplest and the hardest–that we love one another and that we love God.

As painful as the events of August 10 were, they have strengthened our resolve. At Church of the Good Shepherd, we will not be intimidated into silence or exclusion. We will continue to proclaim by word and action that every person is beloved of God and welcome at Christ’s table. While we grieve the brokenness that leads to such acts of anger, we also pray for healing–for our community, for those who feel rejected, and for the man whose actions caused such harm. Hate may wound, but it cannot overcome love.

Love “does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:5-7

Sincerely,

The Clergy and lay leaders of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd The Rev. Kathy Boss, Rector The Rev. George Swenson, Deacon Susan Nutting, Senior Warden Don Yelton, Junior Warden