I wanted to take a moment to share a quick update of what keeps me busy, inspired, and energized.
This year I got more involved volunteering for ReconcilingWorks, a national non-profit that walks alongside the Lutheran Church (ELCA) to help churches welcome, support, and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. In 2015, I had the chance to travel, meet people around the region, and train churches how to talk about God’s love for all, and how to have (sometimes hard) conversations in their faith community.
It is hugely rewarding to meet people working to make a
difference in the world. I am grateful that I am able to hear the stories
of why people choose to spend their free time at a training. Many come because
they have a loved one who is LGBT and was treated poorly by the church.
They want to change the church so that someone else's sibling or child
has a place to call home in a faith community. Their love and compassion is
inspiring!
(Portland area folks - if you are so inclined - join us for a community wide celebration in January - more info here)
I am also grateful that I have been able to help out with Cascade AIDS Project. CAP is the oldest and largest community-based provider of HIV services, housing, education and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington. It has been amazing to get to know this community even better as we work together to fight the stigma that still surrounds HIV, and work on prevention, education, and services to improve the lives of those affected by HIV.
I also am now a regular columnist at PQ Monthly!
Here are my columns from January, October, and November, December ... stay tuned for more!
Be well!
~Leo
