Since 1995, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries has awarded grants each year to directly support ministry by publicly-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Lutheran rostered leaders. ELM awarded $62,000 in grants to five ministries this year.  The grant recipients are selected by a volunteer team, led by Margaret Moreland.

Through this program, ELM donors support diverse ministries and congregations.  Current and past grants have gone to support parish ministry and a wide variety of specialized ministries and special projects. ELM donors have given away over $850,000 to ministry since the program began. ELM’s 2012 grant cycle is now open!

One of this year’s recipients is Grace Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. The photo above, reading “Grace Lutheran Loves Ya!” could be read as a thank you to ELM donors. Thanks to ELM donors, Grace has full-time pastor Lura Groen. But the message is to the people who Grace is now able to reach out to, thanks to you. You love Grace, and Grace loves you, and thanks to your support of ELM, they are sharing that love. Hallelujah!

The grants program is at the heart of ELM’s mission to expand ministry opportunities for LGBTQ rostered leaders.

Any member of Proclaim, ELM’s professional community for LGBTQ rostered leaders, may apply. You can read more about requirements for applying and past recipients by clicking here.

We thank all the ELM supporters throughout the years who have supported LGBTQ led ministry.