ReconcilingWorks is proud to announce our newest Reconciling in Christ congregation, Bethany Lutheran Church in Bainbridge Island, Washington.
In March 1913, a group of women gathered in a home in Pleasant Beach on the south end of Bainbridge Island. These seeds were the beginning of a community now called Bethany Lutheran Church. Over 100 years later, Bethany prides itself with its outreach at home, in the community, and in the world.
Involvment in programs like the Helpline House, the Compass Housing Alliance, the Faith Action Network, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, and Lutheran Community Services, Rachel Circle, and ELCA World Hunger demonstrate Bethany Lutheran’s commitment to sharing God’s extravagent love far and wide.
The adaption of an LGBT inclusive welcoming statement allows Bethany Lutheran to share its hospitality wider still.
“We pledge among ourselves and to others that all are welcome who seek God’s unconditional love and the gifts of the gospel within a community striving to be of service to and with other communities near and far,” Bethany’s welcoming statement says. “We believe that God calls us to be about reconciling in Christ, so that all, without exception, may find an inviting home regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural or ethnic background.”
Learn more about Bethany Lutheran Church here.
Please help us welcome Bethany Lutheran Church to the RIC family! Post your congratulations here on facebook.
Will you consider helping us support more congregations along their welcoming journey? Your support helps us continue to provide networks, educational resources and training to LGBT Lutherans, allies and over 500 congregations and ministry settings (and rapidly counting) that publicly declare their welcome and affirmation of LGBT people. We can’t do it without you. Please donate or become a ReconcilingWorks member today!