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Fostering RIC congregations who welcome all people regardless
of their sexual orientation,
their gender identity or that of their children, siblings or friends.
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It's about welcoming all regardless of age,
race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, financial situation,
political persuasion,
educational background, marital status, previous
denominations or any
other differences. |
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Open Hearts —
There is a growing number of Lutheran communities of faith who are intentionally
welcoming gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians into their midst.
Open Minds —
The Response comes after prayerful consideration, re-examining scripture
in light of Lutheran interpretation of God's living word and listening to all
the needs of people in their own places of worship.
Open Doors —
The Reconciling in Christ ministry is the primary way such a public
welcome is extended. It is also a grass roots approach to build
understanding, one community at a time. Making an affirmation of welcome
promotes an intentionally inclusive ministry and helps heal the pain of doubt.
If you are one, perhaps two or three members of your congregation with
questions or a desire to discover what RIC can mean to your community of faith,
LC Valley of the Sun is your resource. Are you embracing the issue of
justice in your congregation? LC Valley of the Sun is your resource. Are
you a leader in your congregation struggling with the hot topic of Human
Sexuality with your congregation? We are your resource.
The process of becoming a Welcoming RIC congregation
… one who publicly
makes a statement of embracing diversity in all its forms
… is a tenuous journey.
This journey strives for all the unique voices within the congregation to be heard -- and
to grasp what implications are possible while processing toward a consensus of how The
Gospel is to be fulfilled.
As Lutherans we believe, as quoted from Daniel Erlander's book
Baptized, We Live, Lutheranism as a Way of Life, "coming in water, God
washed us and grafted us into Christ. Our identity for all the days of our life
is set." We are all the same in Christ regardless of our differences.
Become a member of Lutherans Concerned Valley of the Sun.
Contact us,
come help us with the vision of justice and inclusive
participation for all Christians.
"All this is from God who reconciled us
through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:18
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Links |
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Lutherans
Concerned/North American
Reconciling in
Christ (RIC)
Find an RIC
Congregation
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Our
Mission Statement |
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Lutherans Concerned
Valley of the Sun Chapter intends to organize as a committed group for
the purpose of advancing the RIC program within our ELCA Grand Canyon
Synod, specifically in our immediate geographic area. As a community
of God’s people, our organization is committed to engaging
congregation members, pastors, synodical staff and lay church leaders,
to embrace and fully become participating members of the RIC Program
welcoming Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender (GLBT) persons and
their children, siblings or friends within their churches and synod.
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Vision: |
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Develop
an organization with the primary focus of developing RIC
congregations and organizations within the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod..
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Serve as resources and provide
resources to church leaders, synod, pastors, congregation members,
individuals, and GLBT persons and their family members to foster the
concept of RIC and mentor the program being adopted.
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Work in cooperation and support with
the LC Chapters established within our synod, as well as other
representatives of LC/NA and RIC Teams.
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Support one another in our RIC Chapter
through relationship, prayer, mutual encouragement and patience.
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Seek
the power of the Holy Spirit as we offer our efforts in the love and
reconciliation of Jesus Christ to each other and those we seek to
become members of the RIC program
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Partners: USCHS, ThinkDuo, Extra Phone Cards, Rightsday, Umanesimo
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