Name: Max Hill

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Queer people have amazing gifts and ideas to offer the church. Our understandings of the spectrum of gender, the ability to choose family and build individuality while fostering community are assets that will strengthen the church. Being in a space like this retreat will allow me a time to meet other people with these assets. It will also be a time for me to let down my guard and breathe. I have heard amazing things about this retreat and the community that it fosters. I am so excited to be a part of such an event!

Dear Friends,

This August, I’ve been offered the amazing opportunity to attend Parity’s 2017 Emerging LGBTQ Pastors Retreat. It is an incredible chance to join other LGBTQ people pursuing ministry, and recently ordained pastors in fellowship, worship and training.

Parity’s retreat gives people like me the unique opportunity to reconcile their identity and faith, and share and learn from one another in a supportive and healing environment. Within the last two years, six LGBTQ pastors from Parity’s community have been ordained -- their past participation and attendance at previous retreats helped them gain the confidence and spiritual support they needed to live into their calling.

I know I will benefit greatly from having that same life-changing experience, and this is where you come in. The gift you make today will go directly to covering the costs of travel, housing, food and training expenses for me to attend the retreat. I am truly grateful for any amount you can donate. Anything I raise over my goal of $500 will go to help others like me reconcile identity and faith. 

With deep appreciation,

Max Hill