Pictured at left is this year’s recipient Rev. Bryant Brown and presenters Anne Rostosky and Phil Manos.  Rev. Brown was chosen this year because he embodies all of the characteristics of the award and because he undertook a journey within our little Welcoming Congregation to learn about the LGBTQIA+ experience and support our efforts for equal rights.

With regard to equality, a lot has been accomplished in our country since Bryant has been our minister and he has been a stanch supporter in all of the Fellowship’s efforts to bring about change and acceptance. Two such efforts are the fact that he has generally been the first to support our AIDS Walk each fall and, he was also part of our demonstration at the courthouse supporting the Montgomery County clerk issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples before the Supreme Court decision. At the beginning of this Pride Month, the Welcoming Congregation Team felt we had a fitting subject and Rev. Bryant Brown’s name was added to the Matthew Shepard Award plaque in our lobby honoring those who would Erase Hate with Understanding, Compassion, and Acceptance.