Who We Are

We are a group of faith communities in Lincoln, Nebraska, who believe that everyone should have a safe place to explore and nurture their spirituality.

We know that faith communities, historically, and even recently, have not been safe places for the LGBTQIA+ family.  They have, and some still do, reject explicity or implicitly by their language and behavior anyone who does not fit a narrow definition of sexuality. While in some ways things have been getting better, we are still surrounded by a culture of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. 

The faith communities of FaithAllyance reject that. We reject the fears and actions that “other” our LGBTQIA+ family, which includes many in our own faith communities. We affirm the fullness of your personhood, however that is realized and expressed for you.  We say that unequivocally.  You are beautiful, you are loved, and you belong. 

If you need an opportunity to talk about your own experience, or if you want to find out if we really mean what we say, we are here to listen, and we are here to help you find a safe place that meets your needs.

Below are the faith communities that make up FaithAllyance, and below that, a little more about each one from our faith community leaders.

Our Faith Communities

More About our Faith Communities

Sue Coller First Presbyterian Church

In 2015 FPC called me to be their pastor, and my wife and I moved here from Minnesota. The debate over same-sex marriage was ripe, and credit to FPC who had never called a woman as a head of staff before, never mind one married to another woman, they never blinked!

For many years I could not be open about who I was or who I loved. Between my last church and this one, I got married, and it was important that Linda and I be welcomed wherever I served. FPC has been a welcoming and loving place for us. Our church values speak to that – in more ways than just sexual orientation or gender identity. We are a church where faith is nurtured, curiosity is encouraged (we don’t check our brains at the door!), diversity is welcomed, and all are loved. We celebrate the rich diversity of persons, cultures and economic status around us, and the fullness of who they - and we – are. We also work in the church and our local community for the full respect and inclusion of all people.

A few years ago I officiated at a funeral for a member of our LGBTQIA+ family, and someone said, “how did we not know you existed?” That was a wakeup call for us to be more visible for the sake of those who are seeking a safe place to live out and be supported in their faith and spirituality. We want everyone to be seen and celebrated for the uniqueness of who they are – in church and society.

Because I know first hand that even churches that say they are welcoming are not always fully welcoming, I invite you to reach out to me. I’ll treat you to coffee, and let’s talk!

scoller @fpclincoln.org

Tobi White Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

I have been a pastor and have served Our Saviour's Lutheran Church since August, 2009. Our Saviour's is a member of the ELCA and has developed a tradition of welcome over the years.

Our first big shift began in 2004, extending a prison ministry (called FEAST) that brings folks from the Community Correctional Center to worship and lunch each week. We work alongside our FEAST partners as they navigate the re-entry process.

Our second big event happened in November, 2023 as we voted to be a Reconciling in Christ Congregation. Thanks to these ministries and the people who support them, we have had the honor of being a safe and welcoming place to people from a variety of backgrounds.

I, myself, am a Mama Bear--a parent of a transgender teenager. I am grateful for the community of Our Saviour's and the supportive congregations in Lincoln as we continue to navigate the challenging systems and seek justice for all of our friends and family.

lincolnpastor.oslc @gmail.com

Trever Rook Neighbors Church

I’ve held a variety of jobs including comedian, actor, morning show host, and television news producer before becoming a pastor. I’ve also spent a great deal of time trying to avoid God. Like the apostle Paul, my past is not clean, and I was called by Jesus during a time of struggle.

While in a dark time, I suddenly found myself reading the bible and watching reruns of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Through the loving messages of Jesus and Fred, I was forever changed. I felt loved for who I was and knew that God loves us all, as we are.

For the past 13 years, this message of love has not only been the driving force in my life, but it has also been my mission. It’ also our mission at Neighbors Church. I pray we can all live in a world of kindness, where everyone feels loved, included, appreciated, and celebrated. The greatest gift we can share with others is the gift of ourselves. Our truly honest selves.

I believe loving God, loving ourselves and loving our neighbors is what we are called to do as Christians. It’s also a very beautiful gift.

trever @neighborscommunity.org

Day Hefner Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church

Since its inception, Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church has been a welcoming place. We are excited to be in the process of formalizing our longstanding welcome to LGBTQIA+ folks of all stripes. Our pastor, Pastor Day, loves cats, crafts, and coffee, and she has a laugh that can be heard about five miles away.

We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or can’t carry a note in a bucket.  You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail.  We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s baptism.

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast.  We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters.  We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted.  We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.

If you blew all your offering money at the horse track, you’re welcome here.  We offer a special welcome to those who work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or who came because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both.  We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake.  We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!

dayhefner@gmail.com

Steven Mitchell Vine Congregational Church

Spiritual growth has always been a part of my awareness as a person. It has always been easy for me to see God all around me. What wasn’t always so apparent was seeing God lived out in religious communities. I have experienced the challenges that come with being “out” both personally and professionally. Coming out as a gay pastor in my origin of faith denomination cost me my pastoral career for almost 19 yrs before I found the United Church of Christ faith community. A fundamental core belief that the UCC states unashamedly is, “No matter who you are, or where you find yourself on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”

Over the past 25 yrs, I have served in four different UCC Conferences as an openly gay pastor in 5 congregations. Fast forward, I moved to Grand Island, NE in 2018 to become the first openly gay pastor in that city. While serving there, I had the privilege of being the originating organizer the city’s first Pride Festival in 2019, which drew over 200 attendees.

I now serve as pastor at Vine Congregational UCC here in Lincoln. Although Vine has been officially Open and Affirming for almost 15 years, (meaning it went through a discernment process to recognize the call by God to be affirming of all gender identity as well as other socially disenfranchised groups) I am the first openly gay minister to serve as their pastor. Those who find their way to Vine church find a genuine feeling of welcome and acceptance. If you are looking for a faith community that is authentic in its love and acceptance of where you find yourself on life’s journey, we invite you to come and see if we are where you can continue to grow in faith and personage.

stevmitch2002@yahoo.com