Church vandalism

Our church, Wayside UCC, has been vandalized twice in the last three years.

We are the church along Dash Point Road with the rainbow doors, which are targets for these attacks. First, they were damaged and knocked over, needing replacement. This time, they were defaced with graffiti to change the message from “God’s Doors Are Open To All” to “Life’s Doors Are Open To All,” co-opting our message of pride and love to the community to one that promotes an anti-abortion agenda. We are seeing anti-LGBTQ political signs and rhetoric around Federal Way, and now that same messaging has encroached on our church’s property.

When the doors were vandalized the first time, members of Wayside and many others from the wider community came together to rebuild them even better. The materials were donated and local artists created beautiful artwork on each door. This time, the doors were quickly repaired again with the help of our Federal Way community. Despite these continued, hateful attacks, it is reassuring to know that so many people are willing to act to support our mission of love and acceptance. To further that mission, our church is hosting Federal Way’s first Pride Picnic from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 6.

Wayside’s motto is “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” We hope you will attend the Pride event to celebrate with us and to see the doors in person.

Allison and Sam Rise, Federal Way