Open Door congregation joined the celebrations at this year's Parramatta Pride Picnic, sharing a message of welcome, inclusion and God's love with the LGBTIQA+ community in western Sydney.

Open Door has participated in the picnic several times over the past decade, and this year marked its second year hosting the popular sausage sizzle.

"Our amazing friends and volunteers shared the message of inclusivity and God's peace for all at this year's Parramatta Pride Picnic, as well as selling quite a few sausage sandwiches!" shared Pastor Sue Palmer.

For Open Door, being part of the event is about more than joining the celebrations. It's an opportunity to be a visible reminder that faith and identity do not have to be in conflict. People can belong to both the Christian faith community and the rainbow community without having to choose between them.

One particularly meaningful connection came when the congregation met someone new to Open Door who attended church the following Sunday, looking for a safe and inclusive faith community.

Through events like Parramatta Pride, Open Door hopes to help more people discover that welcoming and affirming churches exist, where everyone can find belonging and be accepted for who God has created them to be.