All God's Children MCC of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota) is still celebrating inspiring events that transpired last weekend.

The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas had arrived in the Twin Cities with 20 congregants to picket the gay-friendly church with a message: "God Hates Fags."

The 9:30 AM rally, held in the sanctuary of All God's Children MCC, could not contain the crowds. Over 600 packed into the standing-room only gathering to hear government officials, community leaders, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered spokespersons say that hate is not welcome in Minnesota.

Outside on the street corner, Rev. Fred Phelps group sang hymns. They carried signs, with messages saying "Gays Are Going To Hell, Your Pastor Is Lying, Gays Deserve AIDS."

All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church's position was one of non- violent activism, sharing a message of love vs. the Westboro Baptist church's message of intolerance and hate.

More than 400 people could not get into the sanctuary; they stood on the steps of the church and began to sing "Jesus Loves Me This I Know" as Phelps's group shouted hate slogans.

A reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press stated "It was amazing to hear the language that the Phelps's group used. I was shocked that this so-called Christian church would stand on the street corner and yell, "you are all a bunch of butt-f---ers."

There were no acts of violence and no one was arrested. The Twin Cities community honored the request of Rev. Paul Graetz and the church that this rally be an affirmation of God's inclusive love for all.

His church had groups praying on the church steps as the crowds gathered, bottled water and packaged snacks were available for Rev. Phelps' group as gifts of love.

Phelps and followers protest at Stonewall 25
in New York City.

The rally transitioned into the 10:00 AM morning worship service, with a call to be a people of love in action. The Chancel Choir and Orchestra performed "Without Love" from 1 Corinthians 13 and the congregation felt touched "by the presence of God."

MCC officials said that "The Holy Spirit's power was so present that the overwhelmed crowd sat with tears streaming down their faces." Rev. Paul Graetz, Pastor spoke on "A More Excellent Way: The journey of a lifestyle of love" from I Corinthians 12:27-13:13

Outside the service were police officers who had gathered around the church as early as 7:00 in the morning. Some asked if they could receive communion with the congregation. The spirit of ecumenism moved throughout the sanctuary as the crowds came forward to break bread together.

The service ended with the congregation, chancel choir and orchestra singing "Here I Am, Lord", responding to the pastor's call that each person must let love be lived in words, actions, deeds.

After the service a peace and justice resource fair and reception were held in the social hall. Thirty organizations had booths to network together on same-sex and gender-related issues.

"We could not have asked for anything better," said Pastor Paul Graetz. "Thank you, Fred Phelps! Your presence and message gave this church, city and state an opportunity to gather in unity and love. We were able to turn a negative into a positive and proclaim the message: We are ALL God's Children."

Messages support may be sent to Pastor Paul Graetz and the congregation of All God's Children MCC by e-mail at AGCMCC@aol.com, or by postal mail to 3100 S. Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407-1525.

Phelps' group has announced it will protest at Cathedral of Hope MCC (Dallas, TX) the world's largest predominantly gay and lesbian congregation, on the weekend of August 8.

All God's Children MCC in Minneapolis, Minnesota is the third UFMCC congregation to have beeen picketed by Phelps' group in the past six weeks.