State and town officials, faith leaders, charitable organizations, and residents from across Natick joined on the lawn of First Congregational Church Thursday night to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community and local religious organizations targeted through incidents in Natick and the area over the weekend. In Natick, flags and banners were removed from two churches and replaced with anti-LGBTQIA+ messaging, and similar incidents took place at several other churches within Greater Boston that authorities are investigating.

Earlier in the week, Town of Natick, schools and local groups issued a joint statement in support of the LBGTQIA+ community.

Rainbow heart stickers were applied liberally to anyone who joined the gathering, flags were waved, and some were styling their own colorful hats or other clothing. Visitors to the event were invited to share messages of love on colored ribbons that would be woven into a display. Clergy shared messages of forgiveness, but also hope considering the strong showing of community members in the center of town.

“One outcome is that so many of us are now here together,” said Rev. Christephor Gilbert of Christ Lutheran Church, one of the churches whose property was vandalized over the weekend.

On Friday, Aug. 2, the Massachusetts Council of Churches issued a statement regarding “what appears to be a coordinated attack by other Christians on LGBT-affirming churches.” The Council said it will be offering programming to local congregations to help them boost security.”

Combining the gathering with Natick Nights activities, including an Art in Action event in front of the library, had Natick Center buzzing in mid-August.