LGBTQIA+ Ministry

LGBTQIA+ Ministry Mission Statement
We affirm and unite the shared identities of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, & asexual/ally and being people of faith through our intergenerational, safe and welcoming community of believers. We engage in Christian fellowship and spiritual growth, and support an inclusive faith community ardently seeking God together.

We are excited to share that ELPC’s LGBTQ Ministry changed its name in the spring of 2023 as we continue to thoughtfully and prayerfully grow and change to meet the needs and interests of its participants.  Now in its ninth year, ELPC’s “LGBTQ Ministry” will now be known as the “LGBTQIA+ Ministry” as to be more inclusive and reflective of our diversity

What does the new name mean?  ‘LGBTQIA+’ is an evolving acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/ally. The “+” holds space for the expanding and new understanding of different parts of our diverse gender and sexual identities.  Learn more athttps://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms and https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/style/lgbtq-gender-language.html. 

All are welcome to be involved with the LGBTQIA+ Ministry at ELPC. Each month, our LGBTQIA+ Ministry gathers together for a spiritual gathering, where we focus on relationships, education, and spiritual growth. We do periodic fellowship events such as Rainbow Connections Dinners at members homes, and Tie Dye Fellowship at local LGBTQIA+ venues.

Contact Wil Forrest, LGBTQIA+ Ministry coordinator, at wil@coh.net or 412.441.3800×218 for more information, to attend, or to simply talk. Also, to connect and for event information you may:

  • Visit and request to join LGBTQIA+ Ministry @ ELPC on Facebook.
  • Consult ELPC’s weekly bulletin at worship.
  • Consult the LGBTQIA+ Ministry calendar to the left on this page.
  • To get your ELPC rainbow tie dye t-shirt, contact Wil.

You are welcome at this unique, welcoming ministry! LGBTQIA+ folks and allies alike.

Visit our LGBTQIA+ Resource page for helpful websites and books.

God Created You. God Loves You. Be Yourself.

 

As a community we commit ourselves to this prayer that we begin each spiritual gathering by saying together…

Prayer for Community

God of love and of relationship,

You gather us together from our own faith journeys.

Trusting in you, we join one another as a community

a fellowship of faith on a shared journey.

Embolden us to be truthful and to seek truth,

to be trustworthy and to trust,

to be loving and to accept love.

May the parts of ourselves that we share in this time & space

be kept between us as a community joined together

by truth, trust and love.

May this be a safe space where we can be ourselves

while seeking you, O God.

May our faith and love for you intertwine us

as a unified group.

Guide us on this journey to wholeness, to community, to you.

Amen.

Our Statement of Sanctuary

This ministry, its meetings and membership, while open to all and are in public spaces, are protected by our understanding of Sanctuary. No participants need fear exposure or abuse in subscribing, joining or attending functions.  All information that individuals may reveal of themselves is to be honored by others with total confidentiality. Mutual trust and respect, in the spirit of Jesus Christ, is offered to all who may elsewhere experience alienation, distrust or rejection. For the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we welcome you into this sanctuary! 

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