Lutherans Concerned/North America Becomes ReconcilingWorks
It’s a new day and we have a new name!!
For decades we’ve worked among Lutherans for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the life of the church.
In 2009, a major milestone was achieved when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to allow ministers in lifelong, same-gender relationships to serve in the church. In 2011, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada established policies that permit the legal marriage or blessing of same-gender couples and that sexual orientation is not an impediment to ordination. But, the work for full inclusion continues… In the United States, there’s work for marriage equality… And overall there’s the difficult task of turning policy change into practice.
Though the name Lutherans Concerned served the organization well in the years following our founding in 1974, today, a name change is needed to describe our current ministry.
“ReconcilingWorks is a statement of faith and effectiveness,” said Emily Eastwood, executive director of the organization.
“Reconciliation is central to the ministry of the church which follows Christ into the world.. The name ReconcilingWorks is a clear response to the biblical injunction to all Christians to be reconciled to God and to each other. The name instantly testifies that reconciling, indeed, is successful as the means to build a fully inclusive church and society. And, like motorworks and waterworks, it is what we do.
“Included in the new logo is the phrase ‘Lutherans for Full Participation.’ Our mission is still to work for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Lutherans in the life of their church, for full recognition of their equality as children of God. The work continues unabated.
“Today, full participation in the church is inextricably intertwined with issues and concerns present in the larger society. Reconciling Lutherans are working hard to love their neighbors—all their neighbors. ReconcilingWorks follows Christ who ministered at the crossroads of life and the intersection of oppressions. When obstacles are placed in people’s way based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, economic status, disability, immigration status or other realities deliberately used to marginalize whole groups of people, ReconcilingWorks stands to challenge discrimination, to educate, to embody a community of welcome, to work together with others to help the church and society at large unite in valuing the gifts diversity brings.”
The new email addresses for ReconcilingWorks end with @reconcilingworks.org. Our website is now www.reconcilingworks.org. Phone numbers are unaffected.
More information about our name change and the meaning and development of the new logo is available at www.reconcilingworks.org and in the issue of Concord on its way to you.