A new RIC community: Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (Stuyvesant Falls, NY)
ReconcilingWorks is proud to present our newest Reconciling in Christ community: Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant Falls, NY! Their welcome statement reads: “As followers of Jesus Christ, who calls us to reconciliation, wholeness and to love one another as God has loved us, we, the members of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant Falls, commit […]
A new RIC community: Messiah Lutheran Church (Montgomery, AL)
ReconcilingWorks is proud to present our newest RIC community: Messiah Lutheran Church in Montgomery, Alabama! Their welcome statement reads: “Messiah Lutheran Church publicly and without reservation states that it welcomes all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, social status, color, or life circumstance.” Join them for worship on Sundays at 8am or 10:45am, […]
Bishop Terry Brandt, Eastern North Dakota Synod, ELCA, says the church is called to love and support LGBTQ people and Muslims
Dear Friends in Christ, It has taken some time for me to write this letter. Like many of you, I have been in shock since I woke to the Sunday news of another mass shooting. I look to our world and I wonder, “What is going on?” Are there any words I can add to […]
Bishop Mary Stumme Froiland, South Central Wisconsin Synod, ELCA, responds to Orlando with discernment about the RIC process
My dear friends, It has been a few days now since we first heard of the horrendous events in Orlando, and still our hearts and minds can barely comprehend. 49 people slaughtered and 53 more injured by a hate filled individual affected by extremist rhetoric. Members of the LGBTQ community deliberately targeted. We are better […]
Bishop Robert Rimbo, Metro New York Synod, ELCA, holds the LGBTQ and Latino/Latina communities in prayer
A pastoral letter to the Metropolitan New York Synod. My Dear Sisters and Brothers: Grace, mercy, and peace to all of you in the Name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. There is enough evidence for me to realize that not everyone reacted in the same way I did to the horrid violence and evil […]
Bishop Tracie Bartholemew, New Jersey Synod, ELCA, offers action steps to support LGBTQ people
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I am writing with a heavy heart as again our country is mourning the senseless loss of over 50 lives at the hands of hatred and violence. This time, the particular target was the LGBTQ community. Later this week, we will mark the one year anniversary of the massacre […]
Bishop Wayne Miller, Metro Chicago Synod, ELCA, calls on religious communities to work for peace
A Response from the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago to the Shootings in Orlando: We, the members of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, add our own voices of lament and outrage to the cry rising up across our nation for peace, justice and healing in the aftermath of the mass […]
Bishop Michael Rinehart, Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA, encourages bridge building for churches and LGBTQ people
Once again this year as summer begins, we find ourselves face-to-face with a massacre. Last year on June 17, it was the Charleston massacre. This year on June 13 it is the Orlando massacre. Our hearts are heavy. Many of you found about this after worship this past Sunday or perhaps only heard about it […]
Bishop Patricia Lull, Saint Paul Area Synod, ELCA, grieves with the LGBTQ community
“Even with darkness sealing us in, We breathe Your name, And through all the days that follow so fast, We trust in You; Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace …” [From Stephen Paulus’ Pilgrims’ Hymn, words by Michael Dennis Browne] These are days of profound sadness with the loss of 50 lives and many […]
Bishop Murray Finck, Pacifica Synod, ELCA, offers prayer and compassion for the LGBTQ community
Again we join people across our nation and around the world with mourning and lament. We pray for the families of the 50 people slain, and the 53 wounded victims of the horrific slaughter of innocent lives in Orlando. Let us hold them in our hearts. We grieve for the peoples of LGBTQ communities everywhere […]