Bridging Faith Gaps
Frequently Asked Questions

Bridging Faith Gaps is an organization that seeks to create a spiritual, open-minded community without the interference of organized religion. We provide a safe space for healing from trauma, including religious trauma. We are LGBTQIA+ affirming and advocate for social justice. In addition to healing, we also provide an outreach bringing resources to the marginalized.

Meeting times and locations are announced in the member portal. To become a member, simply sign up using the button on the top right-hand corner (in the menu on mobile). You may also email to request to be put on our email list.

Elberton, Georgia is located in Elbert County, approximately 30 miles due east of Athens, Georgia.

Meetings are generally two hours long (6-8 PM). There is a different topic every month and supporting media to help jump off the discussion. The supporting media can be anything from a poem to an article or a short video, and the sources of the material vary each time. Media could be secular or spiritual in nature. A leader from Bridging Faith Gaps leads the discussion, but it is a very relaxed, open atmosphere.

BRAVING is a Brené Brown concept and stands for: B-oundaries. Understand and respect the limits of others. R-eliability. Do what you say you’ll do and follow through. A-ccountability. Take ownership and avoid blaming others. V-ault. Only share what is yours to share. (Don’t share something in someone else’s vault) I-ntegrity. Have open, honest conversations. N-on-judgement. Be humble and ask others for help, respect that others have something to offer. Don’t judge. G-race (or generosity). Assume best intentions. All meetings are held to BRAVING standards.

Currently, any minor is welcome to attend a meeting with a parent or guardian. We are actively working on a Bridging Faith Gaps group that will be specifically for youth. Until then, we encourage youth to become a member online and check out our blog resources.

The safety of our members is of utmost importance to us. Announcing meetings in a private forum allows members to feel safe attending meetings without the community at large being involved.

Approximately 30% of Elbert County residents live below the poverty line. The majority being children and elders. Our Bridging Faith Gaps groups wants to be a good citizen of our community and reach out to those in need. We do this by engaging in service projects to help fight poverty. Race, gender, age, and sexual identity inequality is not just a national issue. These injustices are prevalent in rural, local areas as well. At Bridging Faith Gaps, we recognize these divisive injustices and strive to play an active role in bridging these gaps in our community. We do this through education and training as well as engaging in social justice projects to help educate and train people on recognizing and overcoming these social injustices. Service projects vary and are open to the public. If you are interested in helping out with a project or would like to collaborate with us, please contact us via email (info@bridgingfaithgaps.com) or chat.

Bridging Faith Gaps, Inc. is a registered 501c3 Non profit Organization.: 1) Accountability. As a 501c3 non-profit, funds that pass through the church are held to the highest standards- no dollar is misused or unaccounted for. The money is regularly monitored by a group, ensuring it is used properly. 2) Transparency. All tax records and reporting of funds is open to the public. We want to be transparent about how we spend your generously donated funds.

Bridging Faith Gaps is not a church but we operate as an outreach with a local church’s assistance. Bridging Faith Gaps, Inc. is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

No! We understand and respect that many people interested in Bridging Faith Gaps will have their own personal relationships with organized religion. Even walking into a church building could be a trigger point! We want to ensure that everyone feels emotionally safe, so we aim to bring the love of God out of the church and to the community. If you are interested in an affirming congregation, please know there is a church for you in Elbert County, but (more importantly!) there is a community of people in Bridging Faith Gaps that loves you also.