Join this support community to explore how your congregation can welcome and embrace LGBTQ+ people and families.
About this Event

This Lent, join this support community to explore how your congregation can welcome and embrace LGBTQ+ people and families. Being a good ally may begin with printing “All Are Welcome” in the bulletin or walking in a pride parade, but it shouldn’t end there. What are the steps your parish might take to consistently indicate welcome? With this cohort, you’ll experience collaborative support as you explore new ideas and concepts. Ideal for lay and clergy church leaders who want guidance on expanding the welcome to many different aspects of ministry.

This 5-week cohort will meet online, bringing in the expertise of inspirational leaders from across the church and real voices. These Zoom meetings will include coaching and support for faith communities from all backgrounds and traditions and their leaders who want to do more for our LGBTQ+ siblings and allies.

Meetings will be on Tuesday, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, and 8, 2025, 7:30-8:30pm eastern.

The cost of this cohort offsets the operating costs of the Stevenson School for Ministry. SSFM is dedicated to the lifelong learning and discernment processes of all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and beyond. This cohort registration has a price tier option. Whether a complimentary ticket, $25, $50, or $100 fee fits your life - everyone will receive the same experience.

For questions contact [email protected]

Topics include:

Vocabulary/glossary
Queer Theology
LGBTQ+ Youth
Practical Considerations for a “purple” congregation
Collaborative share-out

Cohort Conveners: The Revs. Margie Baker and Scott Rieker

Margie Baker is a priest currently serving as Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Families at St. John's in West Hartford, Connecticut. Originally from Memphis, Baker lived and worked as a high school teacher in North Carolina before attending Virginia Theological Seminary, where she received a Master of Divinity degree. She has written articles for Building Faith, created and shared a free at-home pandemic VBS curriculum, and given presentations on formation and social justice issues. She is the author of God, Gospel, and Gender: a Queer Bible Study for Teens. Baker lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, with her wife and children.

Rev. Dr. Scott Rieker serves Emmanuel Episcopal Parish in Cumberland, MD, as priest-associate and Director of Music. Originally from rural Nebraska, Rieker studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood for five years before discerning another life path. He taught K–12 music for 8 years in Des Moines, IA, before earning his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Choral Music from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Southern California, respectively. In addition to his work as an Episcopal priest, Rieker is the Director of Choral Activities and Choral Music Education at Frostburg State University in Western Maryland. Rieker lives in Western Maryland with his husband, Jeremy.