We are proud members of LOVEBoldly. LOVEboldly exists to create and develop spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can flourish in Christianity. We work with them on advocacy issues and participate in their educational programs.

Since joining LOVEBoldly in 2023, St. Stephen’s has relied on our partnership with them as we work to make sure that LGBTQIA+ people know that they are integral to our life as a parish. We no longer think of ourselves as “inclusive,” as that term tends to suggest that there are people who occupy the center of our community who get to define who is included and who is not. In many contexts, the term “inclusive” means that you are free to belong if you agree to become just like us. We think of ourselves as Queer-aligned, meaning that we expect to be changed by everyone who comes through our doors. We are always hoping to be converted to a new understanding of God and the world. Our Queer members help us in this process of conversion by being wholly themselves, beloved by God and created, as all of us are, to reflect divine mystery and the diversity of the Holy Trinity.

In 2024, our rector was part of LOVEBoldly’s Fellows Program. During that year he read a great deal of Queer Theology, focusing on books by Linn Marie Tonstad and Joy Ladin (and dipping into Marcella Altaus-Reid). He found their works to be deeply liberating and recommends them highly. At the end of that year, he was asked to write a devotion for the 2025 LOVEBoldly Devotional, which you can purchase by clicking here.

St. Stephen’s also joins LOVEBoldly in their advocacy efforts. Their website has a Bill Tracker, where you can see how bills are moving through the state legislature and respond to action alerts. You can view the Bill Tracker by clicking here.

Check our blog for news of LOVEBoldly’s events.