Embrace Ministry, which was started in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, has reached a milestone, as it becomes an independent nonprofit organization.

This move will allow the ministry to expand to other dioceses around the country interested in following the model created here, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory announced.  It’ll stand on its own this summer.

The ministry provides support for families who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. The educational mission of the ministry is to provide tools and resources for priests and deacons in how they talk with, minister to, and support the families experiencing this loss.

Archbishop Gregory thanked leader Nicole Hartman “for her tireless work in bringing the need for this ministry to our attention and seeing it through to this point where it can stand on its own.”

He also saluted the deacons who have been leaders, some who bring their own losses to share as they minister to people.

The archdiocese will be phasing out financial support for the ministry over the next two years. The Archdiocese of Atlanta will be the founding charter for the ministry and Archbishop Gregory will serve on its board of directors.