Events
Zoom Communion
8pm ET - 7pm CT- 6pm MT - 5pm PT
April 15, 2024
May 20, 2024 - Part of Virginia Synod Tapestry Event
June 17, 2024
July 8, 2024 *Note this is the second Monday
August 19, 2024
All Places Together gathers for Zoom Communion on the third Monday of each month.
If you've been curious about how the time together goes, it's like this: everyone gets on the Zoom and we spend a couple of minutes chatting. Pastor Colleen then shares what the theme of the night is and how folks can participate.
The worship time begins with some shared spoken words followed by a reading from the Bible. Sometimes Pastor Colleen shares a brief reflection, other times everyone is invited to share a connecting story. Next, we listen to a song and share prayer requests in the chat. Pastor Colleen leads a time of prayer and then we move into communion. We finish with another prayer and sharing of any announcements and updates.
Click “Sign Up” to receive the zoom link. If you attended or signed up for Zoom Communion with APT before, you'll automatically get an email with the link!
Why does language matter so much to LGBTQIA+ teens? How can families celebrate milestones in the lives of their LGBTQIA+ teens? How can I create a culture of affirmation in my church?
On May 6, 13, 20, and June 3 at 7pm on Zoom, the Tapestry Team’s LGBTQIA+ Thread will explore these questions and more in their book study on Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth. This is for parents, guardians, rostered ministers, youth leaders, grandparents, and anyone who wants to learn how to better love and care for the LGBTQIA+ teens in their lives.
The study will be facilitated by George Donovan, Tapestry Co-chair, and Pastor Colleen Montgomery, All Places Together & Director for Digital Ministries – Virginia Synod, along with other voices from the LGBTQIA+ community as well. Each session will include a devotion, time for questions from participants, storytelling from LGBTQIA+ Lutherans in Virginia, and brainstorming of practical steps to care for our youth.
While participants do not have to attend every session, the content and discussion will build. In order to honor the stories and vulnerability of participants, the sessions will not be recorded.
Here’s the reading schedule for the series.
May 6 – Week 1: Foreword – What Does It Mean to Transition? Pages 8-54
May 13 – Week 2: How Do I Know If a Student Is Struggling with Anxiety or Depression? – Am I the Best Resource? Pages 55-103
May 20 – Week 3: Celebrating Milestones in the Lives of LGBTQ+ Teenagers – What If There Are No Queer Students in My Group? Pages 104-152
June 3 – Week 4: How Do I Recognize and Confront Religious Abuse? – What Else Do I Need to Know? Pages 152-183
This summer thousands of Lutheran youth will travel to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering. A tradition of the event is trading trinkets from people all across the church.
You’re invited to join All Places Together and Technicolor Ministries in making Pride friendship bracelets to share with queer youth (or anyone who wants one!). Pastor Colleen and Pastor Katy will be in attendance to share the love! Our hope is to bring hundreds of bracelets that say BELOVED to show the youth of the ELCA that there are adults from all places that love them, celebrate their identities, and see them in their full technicolor awesomeness.
We ask that you sign up so that we can keep track of the number of bracelets and so that we can ensure diversity of Pride colors.
Three important dates:
Thursday, May 9 - Pride Bracelet Kick-Off. Learn how to make a friendship bracelet. Start beading together. Fun times. Chill vibes.
Monday, July 1 - Have all bracelets in the mail to All Places Together.
Monday, July 8 - Bracelet Blessing at Zoom Communion. Join us for worship to bless the bracelets and pray for the youth and adults who will be attending the youth gathering.
Information on Bead Supplies:
Following are suggestions for getting what you’ll need to start beading. If you have a local craft store, of course support them first!
We recommend making bracelets between 6-7.5 inches.
Here’s a PDF on how to make these type of bracelets.
BELOVED
For 80 bracelets. If you want to make less than 80, one of every pack will be enough. You can also pick through a big mix pack too.
-1 Pack B Beads (Black B, White B)
-2 Packs E Beads (Black E, White E)
-1 Pack L Beads (Black L, White L)
-1 Pack O Beads (Black O, White O)
-1 Pack V Beads (Black V, White V)
-1 Pack D Beads (Black D, White D)
Rainbow Glass Bead Sets - Click through different options to get neutrals and skin tones, might need more than one set
Acrylic Bead Sets - Full rainbow and neutrals and skin tones
Beading Cord - Something like this
Bisexual Colors
Magenta
Purple
Blue
Pansexual Colors
Magenta
Yellow
Cyan
Asexual Colors
Black
Gray
White
Purple
Transgender Colors
Light Blue
Pink
White
Nonbinary Colors
Purple
White
Black
Yellow
Intersex Colors
Purple
Yellow
Genderfluid Colors
Pink
White
Magenta
Black
Blue
Genderqueer Colors
Lavender
White
Green
Agender Colors
Black
Gray
White
Light green
Welcoming & Affirming: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth in our Families & Synod
May 6, 13, 20, and June 3 at 7pm on Zoom
Progressive Colors
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
Light blue
White
Light pink
Brown
Black
Yellow
Purple
Lesbian Colors
Dark Orange
Light Orange
White
Light Pink
Dark Pink
Gay Men Colors
Dark Teal
Teal
Seafoam
White
Light Blue
Blue
Navy Blue