ELPC’s LGBTQIA+ Ministry started in August 2013 with an exploratory meeting of ELPC members, and has met once or twice a month ever since then—even during the pandemic. The focus of the group has changed over the years, but at its core, it has always sought to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people to seek and share support on their walk of faith. Our LGBTQIA+ Ministry’s Mission Statement, which was written by our members, states that:
“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.”
Over the past 11 years, our LGBTQIA+ Ministry and its members have:
- Welcomed about 175 different individuals, with an average of 16 people at monthly Spiritual Gatherings.
- Accumulated 100 people on our email distribution list, and our Facebook group has over 150+ members.
- Created an intentional, welcoming, and safe space for LGBTQIA+ people of color, varying abilities/disabilities, ages, interests, etc.
- Hosted a membership including youth, senior citizens, and all ages in between.
- Seen two-thirds of the group as current ELPC members and friends, and the rest are new to our community because they sought to connect with this unique ministry.
- Every single month since we “came out” in August 2013, the ministry coordinator has been contacted by someone who needed resources and/or wanted to come out as
- LGBTQIA+. Most of these folks have not been current ELPC members, rather they are folks of faith from other communities that are seeking sanctuary.
- Valued participant sense of safety and created an earnest welcome. We devised a welcoming statement shared at the beginning of each meeting to reinforce this sense of safety and welcome.
- Since February 2014, have made available in our pews to our congregation and visitors bookmarks with an inclusiveness pledge, ministry information, and a rainbow ribbon attached as a consistent visible outward sign of welcome and inclusion. More than 1,000 have been taken over the years.
- In June 2014, we created our first batch of tie-dyed ELPC rainbow t-shirts. Besides the name of the church on the front, the back includes our unofficial motto: God created you. God loves you. Be yourself. More than 250 are currently being worn!
- Hosted over 150 inside-the-church gatherings, including monthly Spiritual Gatherings, business meetings, and educational sessions; as well as over 70 outside-the-church gatherings, including 18 day-long or over-night retreats and almost 30 various Pride events.
- Fostered many partnerships—including with the ELPC Justice Committee, ELPC Faith Formation Board, RCC, Judah Fellowship, Healing the Hurt Conference, Persad Center, SisTers PGH, People’s Pride, Delta Foundation, Pittsburgh Pride, Pittsburgh Black Pride, Pittsburgh TransPride, Grove City College LGBTQ student group, Chatham University Multi-Faith Council, Department of Human Service LGBTQ Task Force, Pittsburgh LGBTQ Film Series, Circle of Faith, Pittsburgh Clergy Consortium, LAMP, More Light Presbyterians, Covenant Network, etc.
And we have only just begun!
You are invited to join us in our next decade of ministry. All are welcome at LGBTQIA+ Ministry events, whether you are looking for support or if you are looking to offer support. Our fellowship is for all! Contact Wil Forrest to learn more and to get involved.
What s great writeup