In August 2023, in response to a workshop to discover shared interests of church members, led by Vice Moderator Melissa Palleschi, Paula Mirando and Cindy Sojourner were named Champions for a Special Ministry Team, which became called Pride Place of Belonging. The team's goal was to help church members and the local LGBTQIA+ community create a safe and welcoming place for the Queer community, their families, and allies to gather for support and fun social activities.
Pride Place of Belonging has fulfilled this goal by organizing a variety of monthly activities; a monthly Support Group; promoting Queer events; and participating in local Pride activities, including hosting a booth at the annual Fremont Pride Fair. Pastor Jeff Spencer's leadership roles in Pride Place of Belonging brought a Recognition of Appreciation Award for extraordinary leadership and contributions to the LGBTQIA+ Community from State Assembly member Alex Lee in 2025, at the Recognition Celebration, which Niles Discovery Church hosted.
New church members have remarked that the church's support of the LGBTQIA+ community helped inspire them to join. In 2024, Cindy Sojourner became the Coordinator of the Pride Place of Belonging Special Ministry Team. In 2026, a monthly Queer Support Group began meeting on third Sunday's at 4:00 pm. The Pride Place of Belonging Social Activities have been held afterwards at 5:00 pm. Over the years, the social activities have included karaoke, picnics, a pizza bake off, game nights, arts and crafts, educational seminars, a clothing swap, Halloween fun, a Thanksgiving pie potluck, white elephant gift exchanges, ice cream socials, a scavenger hunt, a tea, and concerts by Queer artists, including Flamy Grant, a drag performer, song writer, story teller, with an fabulous rock, country, gospel sound and wit.
In May 2026, Pride Place of Belonging and PFLAG Fremont/Tri-Cities leaders met, co-hosted a Tea, and decided to coordinate activities and offer support to one another's activities. PFLAG has moved their Teas to 2nd Sundays to make room for our 3rd Sunday activities. We have moved our Planning Team meetings to 4th Thursdays to make room for their support group on 1st Thursdays.
Our June activity will once again be hosting a booth at the Fremont Pride Fair. Look for us at the Fremont Main Library on Stevenson Blvd. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Our July 19, 2026 activity will be hosting a concert by Bobby Jo Valentine, a gay folk singer, musician, song writer, and story teller. See the flier for ticket information. Our free Support Group and regular Social Activities are not happening in June and July 2026.
Beginning in August 2026, Pride Place of Belonging's Support Group and Social Activities will be on different Sundays. The Support Group for LGBTQIA+ people will continue meeting on 3rd Sundays from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the church. The Social Activities for LGBTQIA+ community will be on 4th Sundays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the church. New folx are welcome, as well as people who come regularly or whenever. Folx are welcome to drop in to say hello or stay the whole time. These activities are free and secular.
36600 Niles Boulevard, Fremont, California
As an open and affirming congregation, Niles Discovery Church created Pride Place of Belonging in 2023 to create a safe and fun place for the LGBTQIA+ community to regularly gather, because no other location has been designated in the Tri-Cities for the LGBTQIA+ community. People of no faith, questioning, and any faith are welcome to attend Pride Place of Belonging events. If you have questions about Pride Place of Belonging, please reach out to us at pride@nilesdiscoverychurch.org