Pride flags and a banner outside of the First Congregational Church of Natick were vandalized, the church's reverend said Sunday.
The rainbow-colored flag, the pastel transgender flag and the green mental health flag were found "crumpled and thrown under bushes," according to Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry, who said the banner was folded on the ground.
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
A Christian flag and banner that "declared 'Jesus is King'" replaced the previous display, Worthington-Berry said, adding that copies of an anonymous letter were left behind, focusing on a "narrow interpretation of a few verses of scripture."
"Not included in the letter were the many bible verses calling us to care for the stranger or love our neighbor," Worthington-Berry wrote on social media.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
The "unwelcome" message was removed after Natick police were notified of the incident, Worthington-Berry said, and the Pride flags and banner were reinstalled.
"This church values discussion and reflection. We would be glad to have a conversation with anyone who has concerns or questions about our faith, our actions, our understanding of God and the world," said Worthington-Berry. "We will not be anonymous in our declaration of our convictions, and we will not spread them around the community under the cover of night."
