LOVEboldly Monthly Newsletter - July 2024
Remember, it's always Pride Month!
Recapping Pride Month 2024
Just as we expected, Pride Month 2024 was amazing in so many ways! LOVEboldly had a safe, celebratory time attending the Second Annual Columbus Natural Wine Festival and Columbus and Westerville Prides. We also collaborated with Stonewall Columbus on the Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service and led the second Share the Love, Share the Pride Campaign.
Second Annual Columbus Natural Wine Festival - For a second year in a row, the Natural Wine Festival has dedicated their proceeds to supporting LOVEboldly. This was our first year tabling at the event. We had some great conversations and made great connections. The opportunity was made possible by the significant efforts of Board Treasurer, Sheri Lytle.
Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service - The service was a remarkable show of solidarity among the LGBTQIA+ community and included reflections, readings, prayers, and messages from Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, and Buddhist traditions. Below is a picture of some of the more 60 people who attended.
Columbus and Westerville Pride - Both Columbus and Westerville Prides were great experiences made possible by dedicated volunteers. A special shout out to Board member Sheri Lytle for coordinating every aspect of LOVEboldly’s outreach at Columbus Pride. And while it hit 96° (101° with the humidity) and we were set up on asphalt, Westerville Pride kept us busy with conversations, new connections, and people interested in getting involved.
Share the Love, Share the Pride - Unfortunately, we only raised a small amount during this campaign. We continue to do this campaign because we feel called to give something back to our strategic partners who support us so much throughout the year.
“A Prayer for Pride Month”
Our Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, was asked to write a piece for Red Letter Christians during Pride Month. You can find the prayer he wrote by clicking here.
Fundraiser for LOVEboldly
LOVEboldly is partnering with Mezza Wine Shop to bring you two bottles of wine and a selection of charcuterie. Each order is $75 of which $25 goes directly to LOVEboldly. Mezza will take care of delivery (only in the Columbus metro area), all you need to do is scan the QR code above or visit https://www.mezawineshop.com/loveboldly-fundraiser to order.
Want to Get Involved with LOVEboldly? We Need Volunteers
In the past, volunteering with LOVEboldly meant Pride, teaching a webinar, and/or serving on the Board. We’re looking to change that and we need your help! Here are some examples of volunteer opportunities we anticipate over the next year:
Outreach Volunteers - Table at community events for LOVEboldly, speak to the public, take our message to the community!
Data Volunteers - Help us input, organize, and use the data we have and are getting.
Fundraising and Grant Writing Volunteers - Do you have experience (professional or volunteer) in raising money and/or writing grants? We need help backing up Ben and the Board’s work in this critical area.
Graphic Design Volunteers - Are you a whiz with Canva, Adobe, or another graphic design platform? We need volunteers who can help us create engaging content for use across our socials, website, email, and elsewhere.
Social Media Volunteers - Are you an influencer or have a large following on one or more social platforms? We would love to partner with you.
Don’t see something above? There are many other ways for you to be involved. Let’s talk!
Fill out this form to indicate your interest in a volunteer role. Ben will be in touch with you.
Virtual Coffee and Cocktails - Reconnecting with Friends
Are you feeling a bit disconnected from LOVEboldly? Do you want to learn more about what we’re up to, the programs we’re holding, the LOVEboldly Fellows’ Program, and the exciting work we’re planning for later this year and beyond?
Then you, yes YOU, are invited to join LOVEboldly’s Founder, Heidi Weaver-Smith, and our Executive Director, Ben Huelskamp, for a virtual coffee and cocktails night! Ben and Heidi will present shortly about LOVEboldly and will be happy to answer any questions folks have.
Tuesday, July 16, at 7:30pm on Zoom
A Summer Refresher - LGBTQIA+ 101 and the Basics of an Affirming Church
Feel like you need a refresher on LGBTQIA+ identities? Looking to do more during the programming year to make your ministry more affirming? If you answered “yes,” then check out “A Summer Refresher” with Rev. Dr. Ben on Wednesday, July 24, at 7pm via Zoom.
This program is free and open to the public. Please register by clicking here.
Can’t make it on July 24? No worries. Rev. Dr. Ben plans to offer this program every two months moving forward on these dates and times. More information about these recurring sessions will be announced later.
September 11, 2024 - 7pm
November 13, 2024 - 7pm
January 8, 2025 - 7pm
March 12, 2025 - 7pm
May 14, 2025 - 7pm
July 9, 2025 - 7pm
Colby Martin at Epiphany Lutheran Church - September 28 and 29
The author of UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality and The SHIFT: a Survival Guide for Becoming a Progressive Christian, Colby Martin, has been a pastor for more than 20 years. His first decade took place within the evangelical world he was born and raised in. The past 12 years have been in post-evangelical, progressive Christian churches and spaces.
As a traveling preacher and presenter, Colby continues to advocate for an approach to the Christian faith that is rooted in the Way of Jesus, while also being adaptive to the world we inhabit. As a leading voice in the progressive Christian movement, he believes that keeping an open heart and mind is the key to living a life of love and grace for all.
Take a look at Colby’s website at: www.colbymartinonline.com.
On Saturday, September 28th, Colby will lead a six-hour seminar he calls "Why LGBTQIA+ Christianity is Not an Oxymoron". You do not have to register ahead of time and there is no cost for the seminar. Just come and enjoy the day!
There will be a $5.00 cost for lunch.
The next day, September 29th, Colby will be preaching at the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services at Epiphany.
Both Saturday and Sunday’s events will be held at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Road North, Pickerington, Ohio 43147 (www.epiphany-lutheran.com).
If you are interested in attending this event and have any questions, please feel free to send an email to: pastorbrad@epiphany-lutheran.com or call and/or text him at 248.470.3185.
(This is not a LOVEboldly program, but we fully support Epiphany, this program, and Colby’s work.)
Thank you so much for reading the whole newsletter! Remember, there is a standing invitation to all LOVEboldly-related people for phone/Zoom calls or to get coffee/tea or lunch with Rev. Dr. Ben. Go ahead! Put time on his calendar https://calendly.com/benhuelskamp.