Pastor looks to unite all for Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday, the biggest Christian holiday, is just three days away.

And while the politics of the Religious Freedom Restoration Law has sparked a divide across the country, a local church is looking to spread the message of inclusion.

Pastor Mary Hubbard says her church has been and will be a staple in the community come Easter Sunday.

That's because these doors are always open to everyone.

“We have happy, joyful, big bursting music, and we have the good news trumpeted out.” said Pastor Hubbard of First United Methodist South Bend on 333 N Main St.

Bunnies and Chocolates were inside the offices of  because Easter is quickly approaching.

“It's the joy of Easter that's the draw," she said. "Which is really the heart of being in love with God.” 

And for Pastor Hubbard, indiscriminate love for everyone will be the sermon she makes when she steps to the alter Sunday.

“We believe as United Methodist Christians that all persons are persons of sacred worth and that everyone is welcome into God's house and God's realm.” said Pastor Hubbard.

“We don't want discrimination against anyone,” said House Speaker Brian Boma Thursday at the Statehouse while announcing fixes to the a law that protects businesses' religious freedoms.

But on the day that Christian faiths recognize as Maunday Thursday, the RFRA amendment isn't resonating with Pastor Hubbard.

“Having read something of what the new amendment says, I don't understand how that protects someone's religious freedom,” said Pastor Hubbard.

Ignoring the politics and looking ahead to when the pews are filled on Sunday, Pastor Hubbard will look to preach about inclusion.

“If it's in the back of my mind at all for this coming Easter Sunday, it would be to remind us all again that God does not discriminate.” said Pastor Hubbard.