Normal Heights United Methodist Church is an open and affirming neighborhood parish with a social justice focus. The church’s application for the Trauma-Responsive Congregation Program through Boston University is one of nine selected nationally. This fellowship program provides funding for those congregations chosen to carry out a project that addresses the needs of a specific group in the church’s community.

Normal Heights UMC is a church where all are welcome. It has become a place for members of the LGBTQ community to feel welcomed and loved. In keeping with this desire to care well for these members of the parish, the proposal submitted to Boston University centered plans to develop a project around education, resources, and support for LGBTQ individuals.

“It is an honor to be selected for participation in this program,” Normal Heights UMC Associate Pastor Molly Lorden said. “Our church recognizes our responsibility to care well for folks who have been previously excluded from or harmed by spaces of faith. The stories our LGBTQ congregates have shared with us affirms the need to be a trauma-responsive church who will continue growing in ways that are healing, especially to a population among us who is deserving and in need of support.”

The congregation has established a task force of leaders who will head the year-long effort to increase understanding of trauma-responsiveness and take action. Using the aid supplied by Boston University and the education being provided to the nine churches involved, Normal Heights UMC will be developing and implementing their project through April 2023.