“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:2
there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:2
The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Ministry Team has been working for over two years on studying ways we, as a congregation, can become more welcoming to all people and more specifically to the LGTBQ (lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual, and queer) community. We have learned a lot together and are continuing to move forward in guiding our congregation towards becoming an RIC congregation. From now until the end of the year, we will provide educational and discussion opportunities for the congregation. In January 2021 we hope to draft a welcoming statement and conduct a survey of the congregation about its acceptance. If it is widely approved, we will have a vote at the 2021 congregational meeting.
And if passed, we will celebrate!
And if passed, we will celebrate!
TestimonialsPastor Adam Schulz, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lexington, VA
Reconciling in Christ Ministry Team members
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Timeline of EventsSeptember 2018
Congregation Council approved formation of the RIC Ministry Team October 2018 Formed the RIC Ministry Team with interested individuals November 2018 RIC Ministry Team began work on Reconciling Works Toolkit, “Building an Inclusive Church” January 2019 RIC Ministry Team made a presentation about RIC at the Annual Congregational Meeting February 2019 RIC Ministry Team started “one-on-one” conversations with the congregation April 2019 RIC Ministry Team completed congregational assessment survey (result - St. Cautious) July 2019 Pastor Sandy Wisco, retired ELCA Pastor, made a presentation on RIC during fellowship hour November 2019 RIC Ministry Team attended RIC training in Baltimore, Maryland January 2020 (1) RIC Ministry Team members made a presentation at the Annual Congregational Meeting; (2) added RIC prayers to prayers of intercession once a month March-September 2020 COVID-19 - RIC Ministry Team on hold September 21, 2020 RIC Ministry Team met with Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director of Reconciling Works October 7, 2020 Congregation Council approved addition of a RIC webpage to Apostles website November 29, 2020 Discussion Group - “Consent in Building Community” (after 9:30 AM worship) December 13, 2020 Discussion Group - “Bias and It’s Impact on Welcome” (after 9:30 AM worship) January 2, 2021 Draft RIC Welcome Statement January 10, 2021 Clunky Question Panel Discussion January 24, 2021 Mail proposed RIC Welcome Statement to congregation (on postcard) January 31, 2021 Present RIC Welcome Statement for congregational approval at Annual Congregation Meeting February-April 2021 Monthly discussion groups; e.g., SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity/expression), ELCA 2009 Human Sexuality Social Statement, “The Bible, The Body, and The Beloved”, discussion panels with parents of LGBTQ1A+ children April 26, 2021 Reconciling in Christ Celebration (40th anniversary of the congregation) |