Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Boystowna congregation with two partnered gay clergy and at the forefront of the LGBTQ movement for the past two and half decadesis opening a second site in the South Loop.
Holy Trinity was one of the first Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ( ELCA ) churches in Chicago to become a "Reconciling in Christ" congregation in 1990. Since then, the congregation has publicly welcomed gays and lesbians into all aspects of the church's life. But Holy Trinity welcomes everyone. In fact, dozens of straight persons have joined Holy Trinity over the years because of its welcome: "whoever you are, whatever the color of you skin, whoever you love or marry, or whatever you think of organized religion, you are welcome here."
Holy Trinity has now begun to offer Saturday evening worship at Grace Place in the South Loop, 637 Dearborn. Grace Place is also home of Grace Episcopal Church and several non-profit groups. It is also known for its inclusive and welcoming stance.
Holy Trinity is a growing congregation just west of Wrigley Field, known for its multi-sensory, contemplative and traditional worship; relevant preaching to a congregation filled with young adults and young families; and progressive thinking and inclusive welcome. It has many members who live in downtown Chicago. This group has become the core of this Saturday evening worship community, along with others from the South Loop Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry and Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
The new worshipping community offers wine and cheese receptions following some services, and anticipates volunteering in the South Loop neighborhood as well. For more information, including directions and parking information, visit www.htloop.org . HTLoop is not just for neighborhood residents, it also attracts those who may be downtown Chicago on a Saturday and want to worship in church with "traditional liturgy and progressive thinking," as its tagline notes.