A New Reconciling in Christ Community: The Flame (Portland, OR)
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Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community: The Flame in Portland, Oregon. Their welcome statement reads: “We are “The Flame”! With this playful name we embrace our LGBTQIA and ally identity, and also evoke images of faith and spiritual renewal. We are an alternative worshiping community, a little start-up church, where we gather, […]
A New RIC Community: St. James Lutheran Church (San Leandro, CA)
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Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community: St. James Lutheran Church in San Leandro, California. Their welcome statement reads: “People of all gender identities and sexual orientations share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; • People of all gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome within the membership of […]
A New RIC Community: Table of Mercy (Austin, TX)
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Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community: Table of Mercy in Austin, Texas. Their welcome statement reads: “Table of Mercy is committed to welcoming, including, and affirming all people in the life of our ministry together. Particularly, Table of Mercy affirms the worth of LGBTQIA individuals and works to continue being a place of […]
A New RIC Community: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (Maple Valley, WA)
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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 […]
A new RIC community: Castle Church Faith Community (Apopka, FL)
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 […]
ELCA Develops Supplemental Same-Gender Marriage Resource
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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 […]
Reparative therapy flashback, a staff reflection from Churchwide Assembly
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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 […]
A new RIC community: The ELCA Deaconess Community
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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 […]