Reconciling in Christ
Welcome to Trinity!
Trinity is part of the Reconciling in Christ Program. We want to say loudly and clearly that everyone is welcome at Trinity Lutheran Church! We affirmed our welcome by adopting the Affirmation of Welcome. This affirmation was adopted after a long period of study, debate, reflection and prayer.
Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran communities of faith to answer the inclusive call of the gospel by welcoming gay and lesbian believers.
That statement comes from the website of Lutherans Concerned/North America. Trinity Lutheran Church has decided, while we have always welcomed anyone who comes through our door, that our voice should be heard explicitly welcoming any who might feel that they would be unwelcome in a Christian church. As part of our participation in the Reconciling in Christ program, we make intentional and public affirmation of welcome to all, particularly gays and lesbians. It is our hope that our adoption of the Affirmation of Welcome will heal the doubt anyone might feel about celebrating Christ with our congregation.
We first authorized a committee to lead a study of the issues raised by declaring Trinity an inclusive community without regard to race, gender, physical condition, or sexual orientation in July of 1999. Several Adult Forum sessions were given over to an examination of these issues, and there were many respectful and hearfelt conversations during the eight months the committee deliberated this issue.
In March of 2000 the committee presented a summary of its discussion and outlined its conclusions in a report submitted to the Congregational Council. Along with the report, a proposed Affirmation of Welcome was sent to the council as well. A short summary of the conclusions and the Affirmation of Welcome can be found the in the Trinitarian of April 2000. The Council put the matter to a vote of the entire congregation, and on May 7, 2000, the Affirmation was adopted.
Of course, the Affirmation of Welcome is only a wordy document without relationships to make those words meaningful. It is our actions and outreach as individuals to anyone looking for comfort in the Good News of Christ that are critical to making our welcome known. So we ask that you come and celebrate with us the Love of God and the Community of the Holy Spirit. Come and let us say to you,