Maybe winds will blow
Maybe seeds will fall
Who knows what love can grow
When those seeds are cracking open
-from “Wild Acre” by Trish Bruxvoort-Colligan

Check out this 2 minute video from the 2014 Proclaim Retreat!  Be inspired by the pictures and words of LGBTQ leaders while listening to the fabulous song “Wild Acre” written and performed by Trish Bruxvoort-Colligan, who along with Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, served as musicians at the 2014 Proclaim Retreat.

“Who knows what love can grow when those seeds are cracking open” – planting, nourishing, and cracking open seeds of love, justice, vocation, collegial support, and renewal is part of what happens at the annual Proclaim retreat for LGBTQ Lutheran rostered leaders, candidates, and seminarians.  This yearly gathering is part of the sustenance of ministry for so many.  As Rev. Mark Erson says, “It is so nourishing to spend time with hope-filled, excited colleagues who are on fire about the ministry to which they have been called.”  This year Mark is helping to fuel the fire by serving on the 2015 retreat planning team.

Our 2015 Proclaim Retreat theme is Building Up the Body – to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).  Through training, workshops, worship, small groups, spiritual renewal, and recreation, we’ll seek to build up our tools and skills as we are equipped and seek to equip others to live as the body of Christ.  Our church needs strong, grounded, faithful leaders.  The Proclaim retreat strives to offer that life-giving nourishment for these LGBTQ leaders in service of our whole church and the body of Christ.

Registration for this event opens in January. ELM has just received a generous grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation which will provide retreat scholarships for at least 25 attendees who are in seminary or without call!  Your gift of $385 ensures a full scholarship for a seminarian, candidate awaiting call, or another member of our community who would otherwise be unable to attend.  Your gift of any amount makes this event possible. Thank you for your support!

By Rev. Jen Rude, ELM Program Director.  Jen recently began brewing her own Kombucha, an ancient fermented tea dubbed “the elixer of life” which contains vitamins, enzymes and probiotics.  Jen’s spiritual body is well nourished through her home congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston, IL.