This page describes an exciting and innovative program that Lambert House produced from 2018 through 2022. As the program winds down in 2023, we’re leaving this page up for those who may be interested or who may want to contact Rev. Jermell Witherspoon to engage him in similar work.
Engaging Faith Leaders
“to turn the hearts of parents to their children.”
Now offering live online
LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training
for Faith Leaders & Communities
Each live two-hour training covers…
Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation 101
Emerging LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary
Caring Well when a Person Comes Out
Recent LGBTQIA+ History in the US & Current Challenges
Trainings are presented by Rev. Jermell Witherspoon,
Pastor at Everett UCC and Liberation UCC
and Program Coordinator for Faith Leader Engagement
at Lambert House.
For these online trainings, participants may interact/ask questions or simply observe.
The Faith Leader Engagement Program is generously funded by a Change Grant from Plymouth United Church of Christ so these trainings are offered at no cost to participants.
For questions or to schedule a separate training time for you and/or your group,
please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
In the course of your ministry, imagine if…
…a young man from the youth group tells you he’s gay and doesn’t know how to tell his parents.
…a mother comes to you
seeking to reconcile her beliefs
with her love for her lesbian daughter.
…a volunteer leader comes out to you as non-binary and asks if/how your community is willing to support them.
Are you prepared to care well?
Lambert House’s
Faith Leader Engagement Program
When parents reject
their LGBTQ+ child,
they almost always cite
their religious beliefs
as the reason.
And faith leaders and communities at times find themselves unsure how to engage LGBTQ+ people and their families in order to provide helpful spiritual care.
The Faith Leader Engagement Program offers:
LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training Workshops
Private Consultations with Faith Leaders and Families
Pertinent Resources Regarding LGBTQ+ People and Faith
We support faith leaders in…
guiding parents of LGBTQ+ youth
toward more life-giving responses
when a young person comes out, and…providing better spiritual care
to LGBTQ+ people and their families
who seek it from within their faith communities.
