Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Lives Out Their Values with Beacon
Congregational Spotlight. Written by Dylan Novacek, Content Specialist.
“In order to live out our values, we need to walk the talk,” exclaimed Karen Lansing, a congregant at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Saint Paul and the co-chair of their Beacon Leadership Team (pictured). “Beacon is a great way for us to express our deepest values.”
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Saint Paul is one of over 100+ congregations united in the vision that all people have a home. With significant interest in outreach, social justice, racial justice, and equity for all, the congregation enthusiastically collaborates with Beacon to live into their values. From advocating for Bring it Home, Minnesota, to hosting our next Congregational Convening in their building, Gloria Dei is strengthening their commitment to home.
“My faith is something I need to live out as well as I can,” added Don Fulton, the other co-chair of Gloria Dei’s Beacon Leadership Team. “In my career as a financial coach, I had a client who told me that her goal was to save up to buy a van. When I asked her why, she answered that she was sick of living out of the shelters. That has always stuck with me. Our society needs to do better. But we can’t get there as one congregation. It will take all of us.”
“I love that there are over 100 congregations doing this work. You can feel the momentum,” Karen continued. “For me, advocating for housing is in my blood. I so passionately believe in it. You can’t have stability if you don’t have a roof over your head. Everyone needs a safe, affordable home.”
Becoming engaged with Beacon during the pandemic, the congregation has been growing their power and involvement. Each month, Karen and Don encourage their fellow congregants to join in our Rent is Due: Day of Action calls, Beacon’s monthly policy huddle where we update attendees on Bring it Home, Minnesota and give them tangible ways to act with us. Additionally, the congregation has been connecting with their public and elected officials to advocate for Bring it Home, Minnesota, a rent subsidy bill that will ensure all Minnesotans get the rent support they deserve.
“Something that drew me to Beacon is how they try to combat the root causes of housing instability,” Don said. “Addressing homelessness is more than putting a roof over someone’s head. There are so many barriers out there that we want to address. Our current housing policies have historically locked marginalized people out of home. These housing policies are a big barrier for a lot of people.”
“Being on calls with legislators to advocate for Bring it Home, Minnesota has been an eye-opening experience,” Karen reflected. “It’s important for people of faith to call on our elected officials and support bills like Bring it Home, Minnesota. I believe that I need to live out Christ’s teachings. My belief is that he is telling us to be mindful of the poor and those who have had less advantages than others.”
Motivated by their values, and empowered by the strength of our collaborative, Don and Karen are eager to see people at our next Congregational Convening on December 1.
“The Convening will be a great reminder of the variety of faith communities we have supporting each other. This is how we as faith communities can contribute to the wider community,” Don smiled. “Something that drew me into Beacon is this idea of collaboration and shared leadership. We all have gifts and values to bring into this work.”
Together we’re changing the landscape of home. It takes a collaborative of congregations, such as Gloria Dei, to help create new homes, support families, and transform the policies that lock people out of home.
Reflecting on their time with Beacon, both Karen and Don look back fondly at empowering moments like the Gladstone Crossing launch event, one of Beacon’s upcoming family supportive housing developments proposed in Maplewood.
“Beacon events have such exciting energy. It was great to be at the Gladstone Crossing launch and hear everyone talk the same language about home,” Karen expressed. “I can’t wait to see more of that same energy at the Convening!”
“Our team here at Gloria Dei is excited to welcome folks into our building,” Don said. “I hope people come to listen and learn more about Beacon. The great part about the Convening is seeing that we’re not alone in this work!”
It will take all of us to achieve our shared Beacon mission and vision. We hope you’ll join us on December 1 for our Congregational Convening at Gloria Dei. Click here to register.
Interested in being part of the collaborative? Email Emily at egoldthwaite@beaconinterfaith.org to learn more.
