LGBTQ+

We are a welcoming congregation that affirms people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Our demographic data from 2022 showed that 25% of our congregation identifies as LGBTQ+. Because it is not enough to privately believe that LGBTQ+ persons should have an equal share in our church and society, here is our written and public statement of welcome — we publicly proclaim this belief:

“We are a community of seniors, parents, children, singles, LGBTQ+ individuals, and families of all types. We are a community of artists, musicians, and storytellers. Our community is committed to opening our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to love each other as images of God, to enter into the struggle, and in the struggle, to discover the Divine stories that shape us, and increase awareness through the LGBTQ+ lens and be called to action.”

In addition to our public statement of welcome, St Andrews is currently pursuing designation as a “Believe Out Loud” congregation. We believe that an open and affirming stance is at the very core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as such we are committed to teaching our children and youth to be a part of the conversation. We foster events in the LGBTQ+ community such as proudly marching in the Denver Pride Parade (with strong representation from our youth ministry), and we are currently offering a program series called Sacred Identities. 

 

Sacred Identities is a faith based interactive media and readings-based storytelling series on gender identity and sexual orientation. Topics covered include connecting through lived experiences, intersectionality, moving from individualism to community, the role of religion in LGBTQ+ communities, being an ally, and responding to a call of action. This series is open to all adults, and especially designed to facilitate conversations between folks within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. Participants are invited to listen to, and share, the stories that have shaped their lives and the lives of those they care about.

 

When: Thursday Evenings, 7-8:30pm. We have three cohorts planned for the first half of 2024. The first cohort runs from Feb 15th to March 21st. The following cohorts begin April 4th and June 6th.
Where: Weekly via Zoom.
How: Participants are invited to listen to, and share, the stories that have shaped their lives and the lives of those they care about. 
Who: This series is open to all adults, and especially designed to facilitate conversations between folks within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. This series will be facilitated by the following:

Ally Hawkins

“I am passionate about storytelling and creating spaces where we can amplify marginalized stories, challenge dominant narratives, and explore the tangling of our own stories.  I believe in protecting the sacred in ourselves, in our neighbors, and in the earth." 

Casey Kite

“Queer voices are often silenced or deemed too loud. Storytelling is a way to bring the voices of the past, present, and future together. I aim to bring awareness to those who participate in the hopes that future generations have allies in their present.”

Dan Wright

“Sacred Identities gives me both fellowship and work to further my aspirations to minimize judgmental otherings, to more often recognize the image of God in others, and to inform my advocacy response for those who are marginalized.”

Jim Fittz

“I am a cis, hetero male who seeks to become the most effective and appropriate ally that I can be.”

Shawn P. Nowlan

“I am a cisgender gay man married to my husband for five years. I enjoy facilitating conversations - particularly those that allow people to wrestle with the implications of faith in their daily lives".”

FAQs

  • The following are the expected “norms” for our sessions together:

    -Zoom cameras on

    -Practice deep listening

    -Exhibit self-reflection

    -Maintain a posture of curiosity

    -Notice and stay with discomfort

  • To fully engage the main text and ancillary material each week will take an average of 4-5 hours, with some weeks running longer and some weeks running shorter. The hope is that the specified readings in Jeannie Gainsburg book, The Savvy Ally (2nd edition) will be considered foundational by each participant. We encourage you to purchase this text locally at “The Shop at Matter”. For each session there are additional readings and documentaries that are strongly encouraged.

    Each item of material has an estimated time to engage indicated so that one is able to make judicious choices if time is “of the essence.”

  • We strongly encourage each participant to be present for every session. If the inevitability is that a session is missed, that is understood and accepted. We will not hold “make up” sessions.

  • We are not tethered to a religious group and are open to participation by all adults. The idea for the series was initiated by the Social Justice Ministry of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Denver.

  • There is no required cost for the series. The main text, The Savvy Ally (2nd edition) by Jeannie Gainsburg is $20. We encourage you to purchase this text locally at “The Shop at Matter”. In addition, we do request your time and thoughtful engagement.

  • We seek adult participants who are open to personal growth and awareness gained from “walking beside” others whose life experiences, pertaining especially to gender, fundamentally differ from theirs.

  • In contemporary culture and society, from religion to politics, there is an awakening to what has always been very much with us pertaining to gender (and racial) issues. This is possibly brought on by the rage resulting from generations of suppression. We see this in the “Don’t say Gay” laws and strong antagonism to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI) intended to help us understand difference as a positive rather than a fearful aspect of our lives together—to foster inclusion and affirmation rather than exclusion and fear. This series is our timely endeavor to confront these challenges and to promote a positive response to this awakening.

  • The literal meaning of the word “sacred” is “set-apart as holy and unique.” We believe that each person and all persons hold “sacred identities”. We hold this regardless of a particular worldview. We realize this word has implications and we welcome your experience.

  • The groups are capped at a certain number to foster thoughtful inclusion in discussion. The Sacred Identities experience includes sharing experiences one-on-one as well as in a larger group context.

  • We believe that the best and most impactful way to learn to understand and affirm one another is by sharing the unique stories of others and of ourselves. We are convinced by our own experience that this is far more effective than an academic approach. You and I, having walked together, have the best chance of becoming We.

  • We expect to have participants from varied geographical locations. The structure of each (almost every) session includes breaking into small groups which is best done with the Zoom platform.

For more information, please email Ally Hawkins at ahawkins@iliff.edu.