Art trumps hate: mural incorporates graffiti at Waterloo church

It was an afternoon of painting, and healing, at a Waterloo church.

Staff at Parkminster United Church on Erb Street incorporated hateful graffiti into a new mural, which will focus on a message of positivity and inclusivity.

Last Wednesday, the phrase ‘Romans 1:28 .. The Church Shall Remain Holy’ was spray painted on the church’s entrance, after they hosted a series of LGBTQ-friendly events.

Rev. Joe Gaspar says it was a disheartening experience.

“We were deeply disheartened, and saddened. When you’re going along, and nothing happens for a long time, you almost forget that these attitudes are out there. So this was just kind of a stark reminder that there is still work to be done.”

Over a dozen people came out to lend a hand with the mural on Wednesday, and Rev. Heather Power says the response from our community has been absolutely incredible.

“I think if you want to take a bad situation and turn it into something good.. this is exactly it. We have been overwhelmed in the best possible way from people in our community, local churches, colleagues, even people from far away offering support and standing with us in solidarity.. it’s just been absolutely amazing.”

Power says the idea for the mural came from the power of social media.

“It’s just suggestions that came to us, and Kandace our artist was one of those suggestions. So we just thought the mural was an amazing way to reclaim this — so we can’t take any credit for the idea, as it comes from our community at large, but that just speaks to the importance of Parkminster in this neighbourhood.”

Mural artist Kandace Boos says she also can’t take full credit for the idea.

“The idea is sort of something that has become a trend in North America with this type of graffiti.. the idea of reclaiming hate, with something beautiful. I suggested it on social media, and came in to show them some designs. This was just something small that I could come do, and help reclaim this one act, and it just feels good to have something hands on and practical that I can do.”

Meantime, both Power and Gaspar say they have a message for whoever left the graffiti.

“At the end of the day, if we’re gonna preach about love, I think we need to say that we forgive you. You helped us turn something hard into something good, and we hope that maybe one day we can sit at a table with you and talk about where you’re coming from… that’s really what it’s all about.”