LGBTQIA2S+ Welcome - Reconciling in Christ (RIC)
Welcoming and hospitality are an important part of who we understand ourselves to be as a community of faith. As in everything else, our model is Jesus. In one of his letters, the Apostle Paul urges readers to “welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you.”
A contemporary translation reads, “Reach out and welcome one another … Jesus did it, now you do it!”
In 2009, in an effort to do what Jesus did, our congregation adopted an Affirmation of Welcome, as we became a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, an ELCA designation for congregations committed to LGBTQIA welcome — www.reconcilingworks.org.
Good Shepherd’s Radiant Pride Ministry works together on concerns surrounding the LGBTQIA2S+ community. You are invited to be a part of this group which will lead Good Shepherd in helping us to walk the walk of being a Reconciling in Christ congregation, welcoming all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Contact the LGBTQIA+ team using our new email: lgbtqia@gsolympia.org.
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Welcomes All People
The poor and the rich, the young and the old
People who are single, married, blessed, divorced, separated, partnered, or widowed
People of all abilities
People of all sexual orientations and gender identities
People of all nations and ethnic backgrounds
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
The ELCA, the national church body of which Good Shepherd is a part, offers this webpage with more information about our whole church’s commitment to living out God’s baptismal call to act for justice: www.elca.org/Our-Work/Publicly-Engaged-Church/Justice-Portal
