Questions & Answers
This first set of questions have been submitted to the RIC Taskforce over the course of the discernment journey and answered at the first Town Hall. Scroll down to see additional questions and answers.
“What physical changes would be made to our property…bathrooms, etc.”
It's not a requirement to make physical changes to our property such as bathrooms. Council would have to make such a decision, in accordance with how things are evolving. If down the road Council decides LGBTQIA+ people and others in the community would benefit from building a restroom, such as family with members who require bathroom assistance, they can address that.
"What does it mean to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community? Can you be an ally and still have room for differing on certain points (e.g. transgender athletes competing in women's sports)?”
An ally is open and affirming, and committed to continual learning. You can be an ally and still be on a journey of learning. Being an ally doesn't mean we agree on everything, but we are open to learning. Remember, we are all coming from our own identities. Let's approach this with curiosity, empathy, and honesty. It's okay to be honest to better understand.
"I need a deeper description of what is a Reconciling church.”
We have brochures in the Narthex if you'd like one. ReconcilingWorks is welcoming organization of the ELCA and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ Program has been a public way for ELCA faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran Church (other denominations have their own similar processes known by other names). The RIC Program is made up of congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations.
As of July 2023 there are:
1031 ELCA Reconciling in Christ Communities in the United States
303 ELCA Faith Communities on their Journey to Becoming RIC Partners
16 RIC Partner Congregations (plus Mar-Lu-Ridge, Lutheran Campus Ministries, and the DE-MD Synod) in the DE-MD Synod - however, there are no other congregations currently within 10 miles of LCGS.
To be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, a faith community will:
-Clearly state a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+” and name its commitment to "racial equity" or "anti-racism" in its welcome statement.
-Be open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader - clergy, pastor or deacon.
-Allow sanctuary/community space/ to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings. See the ELCA’s Marriage Resource or ReconcilingWorks Worship, Liturgy, & Scripture material.
-Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.
A meaningful contribution is determined by your faith community, its budget, and the understanding that your generosity funds the RIC Program. Meaningful contributions vary for each RIC partner.
"Why are we focusing on these groups, only?? Our focus and concern should be on all groups, i.e. unwed mothers, the homeless, those suffering from addiction and any soul in general despair. The LGBTQIA+ community makes up 1 to 3% of the U.S. population."
First, it is important to clarify that putting a percentage on the community is really hard. Statistics show much more than 3 percent; numbers don't lie. That said, our service to the community is not based on a percentage number. The LGBTQIA+ community has been more targeted by church leaders and communities. We as people who believe in the Jesus who left the 99 sheep to seek after the 1, need to be an example of this. It's about need. This congregation also works directly and indirectly to assist other suffering people in the community.
"What physical changes would be made to our building inside and out - esp. bathrooms?"
It's not a requirement to build bathrooms. Council would have to make such a decision, in accordance with how things are evolving. If down the road Council decides LGBTQIA+ people and others in the community would benefit from building a restroom, they can address that. Many congregations put a message on their sign and/or hang another outward sign that they are welcoming. Because many people from the LGBTQIA+ community have been told they can't be part of a congregation, a visual statement, such as a sign, flag or banner, tells people "you are welcome here." People in the community can see this as a place where they can belong. It's to make a visual statement for those who are on the street. We know congregations reject you. We want to stand with you.
It's not a requirement to make physical changes to our property such as bathrooms. Council would have to make such a decision, in accordance with how things are evolving. If down the road Council decides LGBTQIA+ people and others in the community would benefit from building a restroom, such as family with members who require bathroom assistance, they can address that.
"What does it mean to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community? Can you be an ally and still have room for differing on certain points (e.g. transgender athletes competing in women's sports)?”
An ally is open and affirming, and committed to continual learning. You can be an ally and still be on a journey of learning. Being an ally doesn't mean we agree on everything, but we are open to learning. Remember, we are all coming from our own identities. Let's approach this with curiosity, empathy, and honesty. It's okay to be honest to better understand.
"I need a deeper description of what is a Reconciling church.”
We have brochures in the Narthex if you'd like one. ReconcilingWorks is welcoming organization of the ELCA and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ Program has been a public way for ELCA faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran Church (other denominations have their own similar processes known by other names). The RIC Program is made up of congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations.
As of July 2023 there are:
1031 ELCA Reconciling in Christ Communities in the United States
303 ELCA Faith Communities on their Journey to Becoming RIC Partners
16 RIC Partner Congregations (plus Mar-Lu-Ridge, Lutheran Campus Ministries, and the DE-MD Synod) in the DE-MD Synod - however, there are no other congregations currently within 10 miles of LCGS.
To be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, a faith community will:
-Clearly state a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+” and name its commitment to "racial equity" or "anti-racism" in its welcome statement.
-Be open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader - clergy, pastor or deacon.
-Allow sanctuary/community space/ to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings. See the ELCA’s Marriage Resource or ReconcilingWorks Worship, Liturgy, & Scripture material.
-Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.
A meaningful contribution is determined by your faith community, its budget, and the understanding that your generosity funds the RIC Program. Meaningful contributions vary for each RIC partner.
"Why are we focusing on these groups, only?? Our focus and concern should be on all groups, i.e. unwed mothers, the homeless, those suffering from addiction and any soul in general despair. The LGBTQIA+ community makes up 1 to 3% of the U.S. population."
First, it is important to clarify that putting a percentage on the community is really hard. Statistics show much more than 3 percent; numbers don't lie. That said, our service to the community is not based on a percentage number. The LGBTQIA+ community has been more targeted by church leaders and communities. We as people who believe in the Jesus who left the 99 sheep to seek after the 1, need to be an example of this. It's about need. This congregation also works directly and indirectly to assist other suffering people in the community.
"What physical changes would be made to our building inside and out - esp. bathrooms?"
It's not a requirement to build bathrooms. Council would have to make such a decision, in accordance with how things are evolving. If down the road Council decides LGBTQIA+ people and others in the community would benefit from building a restroom, they can address that. Many congregations put a message on their sign and/or hang another outward sign that they are welcoming. Because many people from the LGBTQIA+ community have been told they can't be part of a congregation, a visual statement, such as a sign, flag or banner, tells people "you are welcome here." People in the community can see this as a place where they can belong. It's to make a visual statement for those who are on the street. We know congregations reject you. We want to stand with you.
The following questions were submitted and answered at the September Town Hall.
“Have the expectations to be recognized as an RIC Partner Congregation been made very clear to the congregation?”
Yes, we have shared this information on our discernment journey frequently and in several different ways, including in writing online, in reading the expectations aloud at our two Town Hall gatherings, and in sharing the ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation brochures and web site. In order to be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, a faith community will:
"Who might we lose if we do not seek to more fully welcome our LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ?"
There are people who have been hurt by their experiences with church. We are on this journey discerning whether to become an RIC Partner Congregation because all are made in God’s divine image, and God’s love and grace are for everyone. We could lose current LGTBQIA+ members, visitors, families, friends, and allies if we do not seek to better welcome these siblings in Christ.
“Has any study been conducted within the ELCA or the Delaware-Maryland Synod regarding membership growth or decline in ELCA churches that have become RIC Partner Congregations? What are the results?”
Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director of ReconcilingWorks, told the RIC Taskforce on September 23:
“What I can say for sure is that the ELCA’s national congregational decline of almost 5 percent annually is higher than the number of our Reconciling in Christ Partner congregations where we do not even have a 1 percent closure annually. I hope this information is helpful.”
As the exploring group began looking into what the Reconciling in Christ program is at Council’s request in late 2021, the group spoke with pastors of several synod congregations that are RIC Partner faith communities. The RIC Taskforce also spoke with pastors of synod RIC Partner Congregations during this discernment journey. All said they lost a small number of members, but saw more people coming in as a result of becoming an RIC Partner and more fully welcoming LGBTQIA+ people into their congregations.
We are not engaging in this process of discernment with a goal of increasing membership. We are in this discernment process because we hope to better welcome people into the Body of Christ.
We could not find a study within the ELCA or the synod regarding membership growth or decline around being an RIC Partner. We do know that our big, thriving congregations in this synod are very strong in ministry as RIC Partners, and our synod itself, along with the Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Conference Center, and Lutheran Campus Ministries, are all RIC Partners. We have the witness from their ministries.
Background information: The person who asked this question referenced the United Methodist Church, which is a global church with an LGBTQIA+ welcoming organization called Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The United Methodist Church currently has 1,427 Reconciling Ministries in 5 countries, and is in conversation about whether to adopt a policy to ordain LGBTQIA+ pastors or perform or bless marriages of LGBTQIA+ people, leading to some churches leaving to form a small Global Methodist Church denomination.
The ELCA is a U.S. church, and the ELCIC in Canada is a Canada church. Both are served by the Lutheran welcoming organization ReconcilingWorks, which has since 1974 advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of LGBTQIA+ Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community in the U.S. and Canada. The ELCA has ordained LGBTQIA+ rostered leaders – pastors and deacons – and allowed the blessing of unions since voting to do so in 2009. Some churches left at the time to form the small North American Lutheran Church, which is around 420 congregations. The ELCA has 8,900 congregations and worshiping communities in the United States. Following the U.S. marriage ruling in 2015, the ELCA published supplemental resources in 2016 which are used within the Evangelical Lutheran Worship marriage service for LGBTQIA+ people.
There are currently 1,031 RIC Partner faith communities, and 303 more are in the discernment process toward becoming RIC Partners, including Good Shepherd. We cannot speak about the United Methodist Church or its RMN welcoming organization because they are different from the ELCA and the ReconcilingWorks welcoming organization.
“How can LGBTQIA+ teens learn more about the Harford County Health Department program Free to Be?”
Information is available at https://harfordcountyhealth.com/free-to-be/. Ms. Carla Mattioli, who leads the Free to Be program, spoke about the group and the issues LGBTQIA+ teens face at our Town Hall on September 23.
Yes, we have shared this information on our discernment journey frequently and in several different ways, including in writing online, in reading the expectations aloud at our two Town Hall gatherings, and in sharing the ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation brochures and web site. In order to be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, a faith community will:
- Clearly state a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+” and name its commitment to "racial equity" or "anti-racism" in its welcome statement.
- Be open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader - clergy, pastor or deacon.
- Allow sanctuary and community space to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings. See the ELCA Marriage Resource or ReconcilingWorks Worship, Liturgy, & Scripture material.
- Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program. (A meaningful contribution is determined by the faith community, its budget, and the understanding that its generosity funds the RIC Program. Meaningful contributions vary for each RIC Partner.)
"Who might we lose if we do not seek to more fully welcome our LGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ?"
There are people who have been hurt by their experiences with church. We are on this journey discerning whether to become an RIC Partner Congregation because all are made in God’s divine image, and God’s love and grace are for everyone. We could lose current LGTBQIA+ members, visitors, families, friends, and allies if we do not seek to better welcome these siblings in Christ.
“Has any study been conducted within the ELCA or the Delaware-Maryland Synod regarding membership growth or decline in ELCA churches that have become RIC Partner Congregations? What are the results?”
Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director of ReconcilingWorks, told the RIC Taskforce on September 23:
“What I can say for sure is that the ELCA’s national congregational decline of almost 5 percent annually is higher than the number of our Reconciling in Christ Partner congregations where we do not even have a 1 percent closure annually. I hope this information is helpful.”
As the exploring group began looking into what the Reconciling in Christ program is at Council’s request in late 2021, the group spoke with pastors of several synod congregations that are RIC Partner faith communities. The RIC Taskforce also spoke with pastors of synod RIC Partner Congregations during this discernment journey. All said they lost a small number of members, but saw more people coming in as a result of becoming an RIC Partner and more fully welcoming LGBTQIA+ people into their congregations.
We are not engaging in this process of discernment with a goal of increasing membership. We are in this discernment process because we hope to better welcome people into the Body of Christ.
We could not find a study within the ELCA or the synod regarding membership growth or decline around being an RIC Partner. We do know that our big, thriving congregations in this synod are very strong in ministry as RIC Partners, and our synod itself, along with the Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Conference Center, and Lutheran Campus Ministries, are all RIC Partners. We have the witness from their ministries.
Background information: The person who asked this question referenced the United Methodist Church, which is a global church with an LGBTQIA+ welcoming organization called Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The United Methodist Church currently has 1,427 Reconciling Ministries in 5 countries, and is in conversation about whether to adopt a policy to ordain LGBTQIA+ pastors or perform or bless marriages of LGBTQIA+ people, leading to some churches leaving to form a small Global Methodist Church denomination.
The ELCA is a U.S. church, and the ELCIC in Canada is a Canada church. Both are served by the Lutheran welcoming organization ReconcilingWorks, which has since 1974 advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of LGBTQIA+ Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community in the U.S. and Canada. The ELCA has ordained LGBTQIA+ rostered leaders – pastors and deacons – and allowed the blessing of unions since voting to do so in 2009. Some churches left at the time to form the small North American Lutheran Church, which is around 420 congregations. The ELCA has 8,900 congregations and worshiping communities in the United States. Following the U.S. marriage ruling in 2015, the ELCA published supplemental resources in 2016 which are used within the Evangelical Lutheran Worship marriage service for LGBTQIA+ people.
There are currently 1,031 RIC Partner faith communities, and 303 more are in the discernment process toward becoming RIC Partners, including Good Shepherd. We cannot speak about the United Methodist Church or its RMN welcoming organization because they are different from the ELCA and the ReconcilingWorks welcoming organization.
“How can LGBTQIA+ teens learn more about the Harford County Health Department program Free to Be?”
Information is available at https://harfordcountyhealth.com/free-to-be/. Ms. Carla Mattioli, who leads the Free to Be program, spoke about the group and the issues LGBTQIA+ teens face at our Town Hall on September 23.