LGBTQI+ Ministries Listening Session
The Diocese of the Susquehanna would like to see how the LGBTQI+ ministries group can help parishes that may be struggling with how to keep LGBTQI+ members and continue to make them feel welcome, seen, and heard.
Our first listening session held in Harrisburg was well received and a lot of valuable feedback was provided. The next listening session will be held for the Northeastern portion of the diocese at St. Luke’s, Scranton on Saturday, August 1, from noon to 3 p.m. Lunch is provided. We would be delighted if every congregation in the northeast sent someone to this session.
Core Goals of the LGBTQI+ Ministries Group
- Understand Lived Experiences: Hearing from our LGBTQI+ brothers and sisters already sitting in our pews and those who are part of church leadership.
- Boost Engagement and Retention: Discover how to effectively engage new LGBTQI+ members and inspire them to stay.
- Build Affirming Spaces: Learn practical ways our churches can become truly welcoming and affirming.
A Preview of Our Discussion Topics
- Lived Experience: Where have you seen barriers, spoken or unspoken, that make LGBTQIA+ people feel excluded or unseen?
- Belonging and Participation: What does it mean not simply to welcome LGBTQIA+ people, but to value their gifts and leadership?
- Faith and Mission: How does valuing LGBTQIA+ members strengthen the church’s witness to the Gospel?
- Diocesan Support: What support and resources do local churches need from the diocese to become more affirming?
This session is a collaborative space for strategic listening, mutual understanding, and community building. Your leadership, insights, and heart for ministry are vital to this conversation.
If you or one of your parishioners would like to attend, please contact the Rev. Melinda Artman by July 24.