Members of the RIC (Reconciling In Christ) Taskforce answer…
“Why is it important to you to be part of the RIC Team
or for LCGS to be a RIC Congregation? ”
“Why is it important to you to be part of the RIC Team
or for LCGS to be a RIC Congregation? ”
Connie Charitonuk (she/her)
Becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation is important to me because I have numerous friends, colleagues and family who are in the LGBTQ+ community. Jesus welcomed the outcast, children, widows, those not accepted by the cultural "norm" at that time. By welcoming those who feel outcast by society, we are following in Jesus's footsteps. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full and well. -Psalm 139:13-14.
Janet DeVinney (she/her)
The discernment process around becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation, and truly welcoming our LGBTQ+ siblings, is important to me because many of the people I love are part of this community -- family, friends, colleagues, and teammates. I believe all people are beloved children of God, bearing the divine image of our Creator. Jesus calls us to love everyone without exception. The Church belongs to God, and is for everyone. "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7
Gail Fricke (she/her)
I’m a member of the RIC Task Force because I want my daughter, her wife and children to feel just as welcomed at LCGS as I feel.
Pastor Alejandro Mejia (he/him)
It is important for me to be part of this discernment process because as a queer person I know firsthand both the rejection and hate perpetuated by the church in God’s name towards the LGBTQIA community and later God’s love and affirmation in the midst of the church. I believe as church we still can make a difference for the sake of community that represents God’s image and debunk that homophobic hateful message promoted by some in the name of “god.” I dream for a church where a same gender or queer family find a place where they are safe to share and express their love for one another during worship and the life of the church the same way our straight or cisgender siblings do.
Sam Miller (they/them)
Having our church become Reconciling In Christ is important to me because I want anyone who has been outcast or hurt by the church, or for any reason feels uncomfortable or unwelcome in church communities, to feel like they have a place here. I have a fair amount of experience with Christian communities who throw around the phrase "all are welcome" while actively portraying the opposite, and as a queer person in the church, it has been very important to me that I have had those communities who outwardly, not only stated but also showed, that me as well as everyone else was truly welcome.
Jennifer Nesaw (she/her)
It is important to me to be a member of the RIC task force because I want to work toward a community where everyone feels safe being themselves. I am hopeful for a positive tomorrow where hate is not a constant, but know that it takes work to get us there.
John Verbillis (he/him)
I joined the Reconciled In Christ task force because I believe Christian love is a universal gift from God that we are called to share with others - ALL others - regardless of gender, national origin, skin tone, sexual orientation, age, weight, height, hair length, etc. Love is love, a gift that must be given in order to be received.
