Litha Pride 2026

The Progress Pride Flag with a small pile of three bricks on it

This week we will celebrate both LGBTGEQIAP+ PRIDE and Midsummer/Litha with a communion of bricks.

The initials in LGBTGEQIAP+ stand for: L = Lesbian, G = Gay, B = Bisexual, T = Trans, Transgender; & Two-Spirit (2S; Native Identity), GE = Gender Expansive, Q = Queer; & Questioning, I = Intersex, A = Agender; Aromantic; and/or Asexual, P = Pansexual; Pan/Polygender; & Poly Relationship Systems, + = We continue to be Inclusive of Other Related Identities by Being Committed to Ever-Expanding, Learning, & Growing the Acronym and Our Understanding of These Identities

Occurring on June 21st, Litha, also known as Midsummer or St John’s Night, is the Summer Solstice. Litha is the longest day and the shortest night. At this time of year, the Sun God has reached the moment of his greatest strength. From this moment forward, darkness will increase ever so slightly each day until Yule. Bonfires were built alongside crops and orchards in celebration and for protection, as bonfire smoke was thought to protect the orchards from trickster spirits.

Many pagan midsummer celebrations include offerings and acknowledgements of the fey, Oak/Holly king rituals, bonfires, prayers and offerings to solar deities, solar wheels/discs, etc. Some also like to do divination for the year ahead on this auspicious date.

This Sunday we will honor Pride Month and the turning of the Wheel of the Year, celebrating the first day of Summer, and continue our exploration of the monthly theme of Flourishing Together.

coins in a planter with a plant growing out of it50 / 50 Raffle

Each Sunday in June and July 5th, we will be offering raffle tickets for sale. The raffle winner will split the pot with UUJXN, each collecting 50% of all raffle ticket sales! (For every dollar collected for the raffle, 50 cents goes to UUJXN and 50 cents goes to the raffle winner.) The raffle drawing will be on Sunday, July 5th. Tickets are $1 each or 5 tickets for $4. The funds raised through the 50 / 50 Raffle will support community events and celebrations held at UUJXN, so please bring cash to enter the Raffle. (Raffle tickets can also be purchased via PayPal!)

If you are unable to attend in person, you may attend online via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91584017613 [Meeting ID: 915 8401 7613].

Note: For this service, Zoom attendees will be able to participate in the ritual.

If you are attending online, please also fill out our Online Visitor Book.

You may also participate via phone by calling: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago), +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston), +1 360 209 5623 US or +1 507 473 4847 US [Meeting ID: 915 8401 7613]

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