Reconciling Works

Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Maple Valley, Washington. Their welcome statement reads: “We believe that God loves all people equally and that there is a place for you at God’s table. You are welcome here at SVLC, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender […]

Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community: Castle Church Faith Community in Apopka, FL. Castle Church is the first RIC community in the Orlando metro area. Their welcome statement reads: “People are people. God loves people. At Castle Church Faith Community, we await a time when saying this will be enough and no […]

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has developed supplemental resources for use within the Evangelical Lutheran Worship marriage service. ReconcilingWorks is thankful for the Rev. Kevin Strickland and his work to make sure these resources were created and provided for same-gender couples. “These supplemental resources have been created to offer more inclusivity in language, pastoral […]

Over the past three years I have had the privilege of working for welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQ people in our Lutheran church as a ReconcilingWorks staff person. So I was understandably excited to attend the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans this August. It felt affirming to gather with over a thousand Lutherans from […]

It is with great JOY ReconcilingWorks welcomes its newest Reconciling in Christ community, The Deaconess Community of the ELCA/ELCIC! The following statement was presented and approved by the 2016 assembly: “The Deaconess Community of the ELCA/ELCIC, compelled by the love of Christ and sustained by community, recognizes and affirms the beauty of the diversity of […]

At the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly, ReconcilingWorks was a noticeable presence.   Beginning of each day, LGBTQ people and allies gathered in prayer lead by an LGBTQ person or ally to affirm the gift of those in the margins, bring to the ELCA. Watch videos of these prayers here: https://www.facebook.com/ReconcilingWorks/videos.  Wednesday, August […]

“Globally, the AIDS pandemic is a human crisis of unprecedented scope.” So goes the introduction to the ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS. The strategy calls for a coalition of faith communities and organizations to be “active in open and moral deliberation” about how to respond locally, nationally and globally to this pandemic.On July 15-23 […]

ReconcilingWorks thanks the Rev. Richard Jaech, Bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod, ELCA, for this pastoral letter comforting the LGBTQ community and challenging the church to be more intentional and courageous in its welcome to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Dear Friends in Christ, Two weeks have passed since the horrible shootings at […]

Will you be at the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly? If you will be, let’s make sure to connect! Below is a survey letting you know where ReconcilingWorks will be, and we want to know if you’ll be able to join us. After the tragedy in Orlando folks have been scooping […]

June 20, 2016 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, This is a follow up to my June 13 letter about the shooting in Orlando. In the midst of my own pain and anger about that shooting, I needed to dig deep within myself and reflect on how to be an instrument of God’s peace and […]