Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
All is from God who reconciled us through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Cor 5v18
2 Cor 5v18
You Are Welcome Here
St Stephen Lutheran is a community of Jesus people who believe that our hands and feet are called upon to do God’s work in our world, our communities, and our neighborhoods.
We believe that the kingdom of God which Jesus proclaimed is here among us and is as diverse as God’s good creation. Trusting that in Jesus there is ‘neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male and female’ (Galatians 3v28) we believe all are one in the body of Christ.
The walls that we build to separate us one from another—economic status, age, gender, race, sexual orientation, physical and mental capabilities—are demolished by the good news of God’s grace to all people.
So, no matter who you are—young or old, rich or poor, black or white, gay or straight, married or single—you are welcome here. The good news of God in Jesus is for you. Jesus meets you where you are, whoever you are, as you are.
And you are welcome here
We believe that the kingdom of God which Jesus proclaimed is here among us and is as diverse as God’s good creation. Trusting that in Jesus there is ‘neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male and female’ (Galatians 3v28) we believe all are one in the body of Christ.
The walls that we build to separate us one from another—economic status, age, gender, race, sexual orientation, physical and mental capabilities—are demolished by the good news of God’s grace to all people.
So, no matter who you are—young or old, rich or poor, black or white, gay or straight, married or single—you are welcome here. The good news of God in Jesus is for you. Jesus meets you where you are, whoever you are, as you are.
And you are welcome here
Affirmation of Welcome
At the 2010 annual congregation meeting, St Stephen Lutheran adopted unanimously the Affirmation of Welcome, thereby designated itself as a Reconciling in Christ congregation. The Affirmation reads as follows:
Affirmation of Welcome to St Stephen Lutheran Church
As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.
We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to all people, regardless of sexual orientations, gender identity, race, color or economic status.
Because different groups of people are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:
· that people of every age, class, color, and ethnic origin share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
· that St Stephen Lutheran Church offers full inclusion to:
* People of every age, class, color, and ethnic origin…
* People of all sexual orientations and gender identities…
* People who are single, married, divorced, separated, blessed or partnered…
* People who are temporarily able, disabled, or of differing abilities…
· that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, economic status, and ability are welcome within the membership of
St Stephen Lutheran Church upon making a common, public Affirmation of Faith; and
· that as members of St Stephen Lutheran Church all people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of
the congregation.
We ask God, the giver of life and all creation, to guide our ways in living out the ministry of reconciliation always seeking to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ.
We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to all people, regardless of sexual orientations, gender identity, race, color or economic status.
Because different groups of people are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:
· that people of every age, class, color, and ethnic origin share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
· that St Stephen Lutheran Church offers full inclusion to:
* People of every age, class, color, and ethnic origin…
* People of all sexual orientations and gender identities…
* People who are single, married, divorced, separated, blessed or partnered…
* People who are temporarily able, disabled, or of differing abilities…
· that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, economic status, and ability are welcome within the membership of
St Stephen Lutheran Church upon making a common, public Affirmation of Faith; and
· that as members of St Stephen Lutheran Church all people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of
the congregation.
We ask God, the giver of life and all creation, to guide our ways in living out the ministry of reconciliation always seeking to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ.
Reconciling in Christ
The Reconciling in Christ program (RIC) is an expression of the wider Church which recognizes congregations that welcome believers of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The Affirmation of Welcome only mentions lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (GLBT) among many other diverse groups of people. However, that important mention recognizes the unfortunate reality that ‘we live in a time where the voices of fear and ignorance dominate the public discussion on human sexuality issues in our society. Most often these judgmental voices of irrational fear are all that are heard...As a result, it is assumed by most GLBT people that they are not welcomed in any church unless told otherwise. Even a general statement of welcome is heard as really meaning “everybody but me,” so it takes a special effort to communicate the same welcome. The RIC program lifts up congregations and organizations that actively welcome all people as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or that of their children, siblings, or friends’ (www.lcna.org).
When St Stephen Lutheran began to discuss becoming an RIC congregation and adopting the Affirmation of Welcome, many disciples puzzled that they always felt the congregation to be welcoming to all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, economic status, physical or mental capabilities, or sexual orientation. But we soon realized that, while we know we are welcoming, many people in the wider community, especially those whose identities have often put them at the margins of faith communities and society, don’t know it.
By adopting this Affirmation of Welcome we are making our commitment to radical welcome and holy hospitality more intentional, more vocal, and more public.
As the apostle Paul reminds us, ‘Welcome one another therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’ (Romans 15v7).
The Affirmation of Welcome only mentions lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (GLBT) among many other diverse groups of people. However, that important mention recognizes the unfortunate reality that ‘we live in a time where the voices of fear and ignorance dominate the public discussion on human sexuality issues in our society. Most often these judgmental voices of irrational fear are all that are heard...As a result, it is assumed by most GLBT people that they are not welcomed in any church unless told otherwise. Even a general statement of welcome is heard as really meaning “everybody but me,” so it takes a special effort to communicate the same welcome. The RIC program lifts up congregations and organizations that actively welcome all people as full members, regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender identity or that of their children, siblings, or friends’ (www.lcna.org).
When St Stephen Lutheran began to discuss becoming an RIC congregation and adopting the Affirmation of Welcome, many disciples puzzled that they always felt the congregation to be welcoming to all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, economic status, physical or mental capabilities, or sexual orientation. But we soon realized that, while we know we are welcoming, many people in the wider community, especially those whose identities have often put them at the margins of faith communities and society, don’t know it.
By adopting this Affirmation of Welcome we are making our commitment to radical welcome and holy hospitality more intentional, more vocal, and more public.
As the apostle Paul reminds us, ‘Welcome one another therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’ (Romans 15v7).
Learn More
You can learn more about the Reconciling in Christ program, Lutherans Concerned/North America (an organization within the Church that ministers to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons of faith), and how you can personally become a Reconciling Lutheran by visiting here.
You can also learn about the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s adoption of a social statement on Human Sexuality and recent decisions to welcome GLBT people who are committed in lifelong, monogamous, publically accountable relationships here.
Discover more about the ELCA’s multicultural ministries here.
You can also learn about the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s adoption of a social statement on Human Sexuality and recent decisions to welcome GLBT people who are committed in lifelong, monogamous, publically accountable relationships here.
Discover more about the ELCA’s multicultural ministries here.