Welcoming & Affirming all of God's Creation
By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod affirms that all God’s children are called to cultivate a bold and boundless love for Jesus and God’s beloved creation.
As such, you are beloved and welcome as you are, whatever your race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, disability status, mental health status, socioeconomic position, family status, or background, and you are welcome wherever you are in your faith journey. You are a unique child of God. You are accepted and affirmed not despite your differences but precisely because of all your differences and gifts.
As a synod, we commit ourselves to embracing the work of racial equity, social and economic justice, and environmental care, and we welcome leadership by rostered and lay leaders who are LGBTQIA+, Black, Brown, Indigenous, or Persons of Color. Together, as through Jesus, we joyfully and inclusively love and serve our whole community, the Church, and the world.
Welcoming & Including the LGBTQIA+ Community
For decades, the Metro D.C. Synod has sought to embody God's expansive welcome and uphold the dignity of every person. We are one of the ELCA synods that are designated as Reconciling in Christ (RIC).
In 1989, the synod publicly affirmed its welcome of LGBTQIA+ people, and in 1991 affirmed the gifts and leadership of LGBTQIA+ persons called to rostered ministry. Most recently, in 2023, the Synod Assembly adopted a renewed Welcome Statement, reaffirming our commitment to communities where all people can belong, flourish, and fully participate in the life of the church.
Grounded in the words of Scripture, "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you," (Romans 15:7), we understand belonging as more than hospitality. It is the practice of making room for all people without exception and cultivating congregations that reflect the diversity of God's people. We continue to grow in our commitment to racial justice, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, multiethnic ministry, shared leadership, and intersectional belonging.
The Metro D.C. Synod is home to 33 Reconciling in Christ congregations, which is more than 50% of our total partners. This is exciting news considering that only 1,200 congregations and ministries exist today in the ELCA, about 14% nationwide. Therefore, we invite you to enter into the divine flow that is healing the universe and to find a congregation where you can be welcomed, valued, and invited to participate in God's unfolding story.
Join the Reconciling in Christ Ministry Team
The Reconciling in Christ ministry consists of members who gracefully engage in building a culture of welcome and inclusivity within the congregations of the Metro D.C. Synod.
If you are interested in learning more about this ministry or joining, please reach out to team chair, Philip Moeller, at ric@metrodcelca.org.
Ministry Resources
Reconciling Works Resources | 2024
Reconciling Works wants to celebrate with your faith community and is excited to offer these resources in 2024. From options for Youth & Family Ministry to Churchwide Engagement to Worship & Liturgy, these resources encourage your congregation to commit to your partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into your RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for the year to come.
2024 Book List
The RIC team at Emmanuel Lutheran in Vienna, VA has curated a collection of faith-based books featuring different aspects of the LGBTQIA+ experience. Emmanuel plans to feature one book in their publications monthly throughout 2024. Your congregation is encouraged to explore these listed texts with others in your community and grow in Christ’s love for all people.
ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation
Since 1974, ReconcilingWorks has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community.
The Trevor Project
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
Trained counselors are available 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386.
Ally's Guide to Terminology
The words we use can have a powerful impact on our conversations. Designed for new allies who want to support the LGBTQIA+ community, but often face an array of confusing terminology and language, this short guide offers an overview of essential vocabulary, terms to avoid, and a few key messages for talking about various issues.
