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A message from our co-convener...
Welcome to our web page! My name is Susan Stanskas and I am a co-convenor of the Virginia Chapter of Lutherans Concerned/North America.
Our mission statement
Lutherans Concerned stands as a community of faith, modeling the gospel within the church and within the lesbian and gay community. We seek to employ the Gospel's principles of inclusiveness and justice, celebrating God's gifts of sexuality and diversity.
Declaration of Principles
We envision ourselves as a community that:
* is empowered through baptism
* centers its life in worship
* acts decisively for justice
* witnesses a prophetic ministry of presence
* strives as a family to affirm, encourage and nurture all who are coming out
* prays for those who are still in the closet
* acts assertively in the face of oppression
* patterns its decision-making processes in the light of a loving gospel and the principles of consensus
* seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit to integrate and express our spiritual and sexual selves
* calls the entire church to be a visible proponent of justice for all gay and lesbian people
We are an independent membership organization, supported entirely by donations and member contributions. We include members of all Lutheran affiliations as well as other Christian denominations. To those who are struggling with their sexual identity, we offer sanctuary and confidentiality. We encourage the creation of caring communities, thus extending our healing ministry to all God's children. Through more than 20 years of Lutherans Concerned outreach ministry, thousands of gay men, lesbians, and bisexual and transgendered people who were alienated from the Lutheran church and other denominations have returned to worship and find a caring community.
What are the benefits of membership?
We encourage people along their lifelong journey of faith, reconciliation and advocacy. As we grow we can reach out in more effective ways to help promote healing and positive self-esteem for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people of faith. Your membership in Lutherans Concerned helps support the efforts of our organization to create and sustain ministries that Lutheran church bodies are unwilling to do. We engage in many special ministries, including our Reconciling in Christ Program for congregations. Your support also adds your voice to ours, as we advocate for positive change within the Lutheran church. We actively initiate communication and education about sexual orientation issues at national, synod or district and local church levels. When you join Lutherans Concerned, you support your local chapter financially, as well. The only dues local chapters receive are from a portion of your LC/NA membership fee, which is shared each year you are a paid member. Membership also includes a subscription to Concord, our quarterly newsletter which features local and international news, interviews and communication from Lutherans Concerned leaders across North America. As a member, you have access to resources that will also help people facing the unique struggles of living in faith and understanding their sexual orientation.
What is the "Reconciling in Christ" Program?
The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is a grass roots ministry administered by Lutherans Concerned designed to locate and encourage Lutheran congregations and organizations engaging in inclusive ministry with gay and lesbian individuals. To be recognized as RIC, Lutheran congregations adopt a formal affirmation of welcome to gay and lesbian Christians. Many times a gay or lesbian person has come to expect certain rejection from the church and is hesitant to risk that painful experience. Making a clear affirmation can be an important part of evangelism by bringing the Good News to all people. The affirmation of welcome has been adopted by over 100 Lutheran congregations and nine synods. A congregation usually adopts the statement after a period of study and discussion. Lutherans Concerned members serve as resources during many of these proceedings. Once the church adopts an affirmation of welcome and sends it to Lutherans Concerned/ North America, it will be listed on a roster of participating congregations, which is publicized to let gay and lesbian people know they are welcome in the congregation.
Please direct comments to Susan or Al
