Candidacy, Community and Grants

OVERVIEW of NEW DIRECTION

Our work has historically centered in three primary areas: candidacy, community and grants. These three areas remain our focus, with a new approach in some of these areas.

CANDIDACY: We will shift from our past work–providing an extraordinary candidacy process–to focus on candidacy support and accompaniment for publicly-identified LGBTQ person who are in Lutheran candidacy.  ELM is currently developing a volunteer-based network of accompaniment for LGBTQ people in Lutheran candidacy. ELM will provide resources, chaplain support, advocacy and referrals.

COMMUNITY: In the past, the ELM Roster has been ELM’s community of LGBTQ rostered leaders.  Now, we are launching a professional network of publicly-identified LGBTQ rostered leaders from multiple Lutheran rosters. These leaders are committed to changing the church and transforming society through their ministry as publicly-identified LGBTQ rostered leaders. ELM will hold an annual conference/retreat open to all, provide year-round online networking, and professional development opportunities, chaplain support, and visibility.

GRANTS: We will continue to provide mission partner grants and scholarships for publicly-identified LGBTQ people called to and serving as rostered leaders in the Lutheran church.

Rev. Jay Wiesner received onto ELCA clergy roster

Rev. Jay Wiesner
Rev. Jay Wiesner. Photo by: Richard W Garnett

On Sunday, December 12, Rev. Jay Wiesner was received onto the roster of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. The service took place during an Advent celebration at University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Philadelphia, PA.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod posted a lovely recap of the service on their blog. Read it here.