Caroline Furnace has received a $9,000 operating grant from the Total Inclusion! program. This is a collaborative effort between the ELCA churchwide organization and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM), and has been made possible by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.
Total Inclusion! is designed to equip and empower outdoor ministry organizations as they move toward more intentional welcome of people who historically have been marginalized in the church — especially people of color, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Intentional welcome and inclusivity is a stated priority for the ELCA, as expressed in our strategic document, “Future Directions 2025.” Through the five goals in this document, the church has committed to equipping church members to confront racism, discrimination, sexism, homophobia and other divisions; providing an authentic welcome to all; and embracing differences as opportunities to learn about and appreciate God’s beloved and diverse creation. Total Inclusion! is a step on our journey to becoming the church God is calling us to be.
With the help of this grant, Caroline Furnace will participate in an online educational series, identify areas of further growth, and identify actions that can be taken to become more inclusive and welcoming to marginalized groups.