We invite you into a tender and powerful conversation with Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of Matthew Shepard and co-founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. In 1998, Judy and Dennis faced every parent’s worst nightmare when their son Matthew was attacked and later died simply because he was gay. His death pierced the conscience of the nation and opened a deeper conversation about the sacred worth of every human being.

In the years since, Judy and Dennis have shared Matthew’s story with grace, honesty, and unwavering love—not to win arguments, but to remind us of what is at stake whenever any person’s dignity is denied. Their witness resonates deeply with one of the central promises of our Book of Common Prayer: that we will “respect the dignity of every human being.”

At this Sunday’s Faith Forum, we will reflect together on questions that speak to all of us:

- How do we honor the humanity of our neighbors, even when we differ?

- How do we resist the subtle ways people can be diminished or dehumanized?

- What does it mean for the church to help build a world where love is not just proclaimed but practiced—quietly, faithfully, courageously?

This is a rare opportunity to listen deeply, to learn from a story shaped by both heartbreak and hope, and to recommit ourselves to the holy work of honoring the dignity of every human being.