Justice Ministry and Continuing Education Opportunities for Lower Susquehanna Synod

Our Core Values

Justice-centered

LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, BIPOC centering, immigrant welcoming, people with disabilities inclusive

Radically uplifting of the priesthood of all believers

Creative and forward-thinking, actively embracing growth and change to better serve and uplift God’s people

*All members of our coordinating team are self-identified members of BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, Immigrant, and/or People with Disabilities communities. The majority of our features speakers and guests also come from those communities because of our core value commitment to uplift traditionally marginalized voices. Any speakers or guest presenters who do not belong to a marginalized community will clearly identify themselves as allies at the beginning of their presentations.

Our Commitments

We will name and honor the original indigenous stewards of the land.

We will name and steward the watersheds we inhabit.

We will be aware of the history we live (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and commit to being “repairers of the breach”.

With the ancient prophets, we will see to connect our spiritual practice, worship, and shared prayer with the pursuit of justice.

We see Creation as God’s holy temple and each person as a divinely made.

We will seek to practice accountability and confession with genuine repentance.

“God has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8 (New Revised Standard Updated Version)

Incubator Ministries Serving Marginalized People of Faith

J.S.T.O.R.M.S. (Just Striving to Overcome Rejection for My Salvation)

Primary Facilitator: Mel Anderson

Coming out of the gospel traditions of historically Black churches, J.S.T.O.R.M.S. is an LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC centering community that gathers seasonally for “Revival” prayer and praise hosted by welcoming congregations in York County, PA. Community members share resources and support each other weekly through a Facebook group and house meetings. All ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations and ethnicities are welcome to this specifically open and affirming space that emphasizes healing of church, family and community hurt linked to racial trauma and queerphobia.

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Spirit Space

Primary Facilitator: Liette Monic

Spirit Space meets every third Saturday in the classroom space at Heidelberg United Church of Christ (47 W Philadelphia St, York, PA, enter at the back of the church) from 1 – 3:00 pm. Emotional healing meditation and prayer or inspirational readings are followed by embodied spiritual practices such as painting, drumming, and gentle healing movement. For those who seek to connect with Spirit in a wholistic and experiential way this fully inclusive and diversity celebrating space is a gift to the soul.

Release Faith Chaplaincy

Primary Facilitator: Gale du Pont

Pastoral Care Minister, Gale du Pont, facilitates ELCA Lutheran worship services oriented specifically to senior citizens with limited mobility who are unable to leave their residential communities and where community chaplains are not available on staff. Current sites across Dauphin and Cumberland Counties include Sarah Todd Memorial Home and Forest Park Nursing and Rehab Center. Release Faith Chaplaincy also provides Spiritual Direction Groups for women in shelter and prison systems. Current sites include Cumberland County Prison.

FREE Release Faith Resources

Regional Partners in Advocacy