Dreams and Visions is a church in Baltimore that’s awake to the realities of our world and alive to the possibilities of God.
Together, we’re creating an imaginative space of restoration, where we find the courage to be our full selves.
a spiritual community that feels alive
Vision
Dreams and Visions is a church in Baltimore that’s awake to the realities of our world and alive to the possibilities of God. We seek to pattern our lives after Jesus, that healer, agitator, and teacher who stands on the side of the oppressed.
We’re a church that’s open, queering, and welcoming.
Our faith lives go through different seasons. Whether you’re in a time of doubt, exploration, or awakening, you are welcome to bring the fullness of your experience to Dreams and Visions.
We are a progressive Christian community. Here, the Bible is not a rule book to be interpreted literally, but a library of stories from a diversity of times and places, through which God speaks to us.
Our congregation grows from the witness of LGBTQ+ folks. That does not mean you have be LGBTQ+ to attend. We are a place rooted in Queer identity, fully supportive of Queer identity, and reflective of Queer beauty.
Name
The name “Dreams and Visions” comes from the prophet Joel, who writes during a time of great devastation of God’s promise. Joel writes,
“Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.”
-Joel 2:28-29
In those days, prophesy was the role of just a few elite men. But God shows Joel a vision of God’s spirit poured out, not just on a few, but on everyone. Even those who are enslaved, Joel promises, will be filled with God’s spirit.
This passage speaks to a promise that is for everyone, no matter where you came from, who you are, or how others have judged you.
God’s spirit is poured out for all, and we are called each day to dream, imagine and envision what a world overflowing with God’s love would look like.
Divine Selfies! Remember… The Divine shines in each of us.
Story
Dreams and Visions started off with a dream, appropriately enough. Actually, not just one dream, but a few. Our Bishop Bill Gohl (as well as his predecessor) had dreamed of a new spiritual community taking root that offered a special welcome to LGBTQ+ folks. Emily Scott, our founding pastor, dreamed of such a congregation that was intimate and soulful. It turned out God shared that dream too, and brought together Emily, the Delaware-Maryland Synod, and bunch of leaders, supporters, and congregants to imagine something new together. Now, that dream carries on with Mo Goff leading this fresh, joyful, and justice oriented community!
After worshiping in a variety of locations, we found our permanent home in a cosy corner of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. There’s we created an intimate worship spaces we call Skylight Hall (a large gathering space) and the Queer Saints Chapel (a smaller, intimate space), where we gather for worship twice a month. We’ve also created the Skylight Bouique in a lofted balcony space. We also use Skylight Hall, for special events like Queer Christmas, Quiet Pride, and other unique celebrations.
Dreams
Who knows what we might create together? We will hear one another’s stories, restore one another’s souls, be a community of love, fight for a more just world. God will show us the way.
Creating a collaborative mural in our entryway
Denomination
Dreams and Visions is a project of the Lutheran Church (ELCA). But you don’t have to be a Lutheran to take part in this community. Everyone is welcome, from all traditions or none.
Lutherans believe that no matter how far you wander or how far you fall, God can always find you, and is always searching for you. God’s grace is always close enough to reach. You could do nothing more nor be anything less to receive God’s love.
The ELCA is a denomination that supports the lives and ministries of LGBTQ people and, does incredible work with refugees and immigrants. The local expression of our denomination called the Delaware-Maryland Synod. Bishop Bill Gohl and the Synod Council have all worked together so that Dreams and Visions might come into being!
Truths
At Dreams and Visions, we try to live these truths:
That there is a spark of the divine in each of us, and we are all, in our diversity, reflections of God.
That difference is a gift, not a problem.
That God’s dream for the world is wider than we can sometimes grasp.
That creation is good and we are called to care for it.
That to be human is to be broken, but wholeness can be found in God.
That Jesus came to bring truth and justice.
That we are called to speak truth and do justice too.