It is exciting to think how far Rainbow Community Cares (RCCares) has come in the last year since the organization’s official incorporation, and now with 501(c)(3) status. Due largely to the Board’s kind attention and dedicated gift of time, Rainbow Community Cares begins its second year of service to the queer, questioning, transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay community on July 13, 2012. The commitment of the board in guiding Rainbow Community Cares’ ministry allowed the formative work of seeing our mission take shape: “Serving as a resource with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people to promote community reconciliation and enlarge the scope of spiritual expression within organized communities, as the Source of Life is experienced daily and in connection while caring for neighbor as self.”

In many ways our efforts at community gatherings co creating safe places as a haven from racism, heterosexism and gender identity biases has led us with other marginalized folks in the exploration of self determination in a multiplicity of venues.  We continue to be informed by the real experiences individually in our lives and collectively through our reflection on this work. As an organization, RCCares has been involved in gatherings in Raleigh, across the state of North Carolina and across the country: at the LGBT Center of Raleigh in monthly forums, in North Carolina in summits on Harm Reduction concerning sex work, drug safety, law enforcement safety, drug policy development and HIV health care, in Georgia and New York at conferences on LGBTQH health and human service issues, and in Arizona and across the country organizing trainings for faith based advocacy in response to anti-LGBTQ hate violence. In every gathering self exploration in a supportive, affirming environment was encouraged, and discussion led to plans of action addressing the mutuality of needs of the participants and the community always leaning toward community reconciliation.  The work of RCCares has brought our vision to life: “Participation in communities celebrating the creative spirit from within each heart and honoring the blessings of diversity in gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity and race.”

As the minister of RCCares I gain access to wonderful and awesome ways of engaging in queer ministry with LGBTQ communities and service providers with particular concern for people of ethnic and racial minorities, while improving my cultural diversity competency. We, the people of Rainbow Community Cares, stretch across the country touching the heart of each other, listening to the other in hope, reaching out to care for neighbors as self.

Written by Rev Jenna Zirbel

Minister/Executive Director for RCCares

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