Reconciling Works

ReconcilingWorks celebrates the life and ministry of Bishop Emeritus Stanley E. Olson, former bishop of the Pacific Southwest Synod of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), one of the predecessor churches merged into the ELCA. Bishop Olson died on July 2, 2014, in Sacramento, California, at 87 years old. 

Ordained in 1952, Bishop Olson’s ministry was marked by his commitment to social justice — civil rights in the 1960s and an early champion of full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the Lutheran church. 

“Bishop Olson spoke out for full inclusion and the rights of LGBT people when that was not a popular thing to do. Preaching at the first national convening of Lutherans Concerned in 1980, he continued his public witness for a church that lives up to the promise of Christ – that all are welcome,” Aubrey Thonvold, ReconcilingWorks Interim Executive Director said.

Imagine running into your neighbor on the street corner and striking up a conversation, trading stories and learning what’s happening in your community. That’s how we envision Conversations at the Corner: pastors, ministry workers, Churchwide staff and activists gathering to learn about ministries of LGBT welcome in multiracial congregations and to dream about ways we […]

Dear Friends,

As June is racing to a close, so concludes a month filled with LGBT PRIDE all over the country. ReconcilingWorks has received many wonderful stories of how Reconciling Lutherans across the country are showing their support and PRIDE in their LGBT community! We are so excited by the work you are doing in the world!

PRIDE month is also a time for giving. The end of June also brings the end of the fiscal year for ReconcilingWorks. As I write this letter, we are $112,000 from the goal we set for ourselves last year. I am asking you to help us close this gap, through a special PRIDE season gift.

June 22, 2014 is Refugee Sunday declared by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) for their 75th anniversary. LGBT individuals are fleeing Russia, Uganda, and countless other countries. On June 22, 2014 we encourage all RIC settings to take a moment and pray for LGBT people whose lives are in danger and who are seeking […]

June 5, 2014 Dear Members, Supporters and Friends of ReconcilingWorks: Grace, blessings and peace be with you! As Co-chairs of the Board of ReconcilingWorks, we write to bring you news of changes in our leadership staffing. As you may know, our Executive Director, Emily Eastwood, has been dealing with continuing serious health issues over the […]