Each year, ELM supports ministry by publicly-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender rostered and queer leaders through our Grants program. We have provided over $750,000 in funding for ministry by LGBT leaders since 1990. ELM awarded $62,000 in Mission Partner Grants in 2011. The grant recipients are selected by the Grants program, led by Margaret Moreland.
2011 Grant Recipients
ELM will give away $62,000 in 2011 to support ministry by LGBTQ rostered leaders. This year’s grant recipients are:
Portland, OR: Rev. Robyn Hartwig $15,000
ELM continues to support this ministry that: “Develops and supports spiritual recovery from the addictive patterns of human life that contribute to the climate crisis, heighten social injustice, deprive people of spiritual meaning, and threaten life on earth.
The means of fostering eco-spiritual recovery includes retreats, workshops, spiritual practices, institutional reform, and pilgrimages to reconnect with the natural world.”- EcoFaith website
Chicago, IL: Rev. Erik Christensen $6,000
St. Luke’s continues to experience growth in membership and development. Outreach to the community for music & arts and healing & healthcare continues, along with partnering with neighborhood organizations.
Houston, Texas: Rev. Lura Groen $15,000
This urban congregation continues to grow and expand. One recent significant project is the development of Montrose Grace Place, whose mission is: “not to evangelize, convert, judge or shame, but to provide a safe, welcoming environment for vulnerable homeless youth of all sexualities and gender identities, providing nourishment, healthy relationships and hope for the future.”- Grace Lutheran Church website
South Africa: Rev. Pieter Oberholzer $8,000
This new grant will fund outreach to churches in southern Africa that are welcoming and affirming, where LGBTQ people can participate fully and be strengthened in their spiritual, psychological and sexual identity as human beings. IAM will host programs that support, empower and stimulate dialogue. Check out their new website (above).
Los Angeles, CA: Rev. Dan Hooper (pictured left) $18,000
This new grant will provide pastoral, mental health and community services to prisoners, parolees, and those who are homeless. This grant will further develop ministry to marginalized populations.
2010 Grant Recipients
Eco Faith Project- Portland, OR: $20,000
Rev. Robyn Hartwig, founder, writes: “EcoFaith Recovery Ministries fosters spiritual recovery from the corporate addiction to consumerism. Eco-spiritual recovery is facilitated by spiritual recovery groups, retreats, workshops, innovative worship, preaching, Biblical reflection, spiritual practices, and pilgrimages to reconnect with the natural world.”
WELCOME: A Communal Response to Poverty– San Francisco, CA: $11,500 (empowerment) & $6,000 (sabbatical)
Rev. Megan Rohrer, executive director, writes: “Education is the root of everything we do at Welcome. In addition to preaching and teaching about poverty at more than 56 congregations, organizations and schools each year, Welcome provides skill share classes for our homeless and marginally housed guests. We also have a community gardening program.”
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square– Chicago, IL: $9,000
Rev. Erik Christensen writes: “St. Luke’s is a congregation in redevelopment, and we have experienced strong growth in both membership and involvement over the last three years. Early on in our redevelopment we identified two areas for mission and outreach to the community – music & community arts, and healing & healthcare. By partnering with neighborhood organizations and community members, we’ve been able to expand programming in each of these areas.”
Grace Lutheran Church – Houston, TX: $15,000
Rev. Lura Groen writes: “This year we will open the doors of Montrose GracePlace.
GracePlace is a safe, welcoming environment for vulnerable homeless youth of all sexualities and genders, providing nourishment, healthy relationships, and hope for the future. We’ll start with an evening once a week: dinners, drama-healing creative activities such as creative writing workshops and drum circles, and hopefully showers and laundry.”
Click here for Former Mission Partner Grant Recipients
Help Make It Happen:
You can ensure funding for ministry by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Lutheran pastors by supporting ELM. We hope to fund each worthy request, and can only do this with your support. Click here to donate to ELM.