'Love Wins': Salem's Tabernacle Church Condemns Anti-LGBTQ Vandalism

SALEM, MA — Senior Pastor Rev. Joe Amico of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Salem told Patch on Wednesday that the church has received support from friends, neighbors and other churches and civic organizations across the North Shore in the wake of anti-LGBTQ vandalism sprayed on the church's door early Wednesday morning and that "this hateful act will not deter us from proclaiming God's love for all people."

The church was among what Salem police said were several targets — including Pride-themed crosswalks and flags — of the vandalism in the pre-dawn hours.

The church and police said the words "Cancel LGBTQ 2024" were used to deface the church's rainbow-colored doors at about 3:30 a.m.

(Also on Patch: Salem Church Hit With Anti-LGBTQ Vandalism)

In a statement to Patch, Amico referred to the church's mission statement adopted in 2004:

"Tabernacle Church, United Church of Christ, Salem, Massachusetts, is an open and affirming congregation that welcomes, respects, and supports people of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, gender, sexual orientation, age and physical and mental ability, inviting all to join in our journey of faith.

"We welcome all people to participate fully in the worship, rites, sacraments and ministry of Tabernacle Church. Although we are many members, we are one body in Christ. As one body we are called and challenged by God to respect and reconcile our differences. Our faith calls us to speak up in the face of prejudice, injustice and exclusion, and to express in a word and deed our hope for justice and inclusion for humanity."

Amico further told Patch that the church's doors are a statement to the community that "God's doors are open to all."

"This hateful act will not deter us from proclaiming God's love to all people," Amico said. "The doors will be repainted and declaring what we believe:

"Love Wins."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)