In January 2024, Good Soil Lutheran Ministries began the Reconciling in Christ Journey.
This is an exploratory and learning process, to help us discern what “welcome” looks like in our community and how we can move toward a fuller sense of welcome.
On this page you can find a number of resources to help us as we move through this journey, as well as things we’ve accomplished to include and further educate our congregation members on RIC.
RIC Committee Members:
- Abby Alusheff
- Pastor Marissa
- Kirsten Reading
- Mandy Forshey
- William Eversole
- Amanda Inman
What we’ve accomplished in 2024 so far:
Throughout the year so far, the committee has identified several action items to advance our goals of inclusivity and education. These include:
- – Assembling a pronouns poster in the hall outside of the sanctuary
- – Added pronouns for those who wish to include them on their nametags
- – Held Black History Month movie events in February
- – Held MLK services
- – Organized Cottage Meetings throughout the calendar year for congregation members to further discuss our RIC efforts.
- -Held one-on-one meetings with congregation members
- – Attended Cleveland Pride parade in June
- – Distribution of additional article resources
- – Held inclusive Movie events scattered throughout the year (1946, for example)
1:1 Discussions:
Additionally, the committee is committed to engaging in 1:1 discussions, dividing and conquering to reach 8-10 families, and identifying individuals for conversations with Pastor Marissa.
As we continue on this journey together, the RIC committee remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our congregation.
So, what exactly is Reconciling in Christ?
The purpose of the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is to ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work and support the national program.
A congregation or ministry who commits to the RIC program, is recognized as having a welcome statement and culture that is explicitly welcoming of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions and is committed to the work of racial equity and combatting prejudice.
See more frequently asked questions here.
What RIC is NOT:
The RIC designation is not a revision of a congregation’s identity. We will continue to be a faith community centered around Christ and bound together through the love of Jesus.
The RIC designation is not an affiliation with any political party or partisan set of values. Instead, it is a way to say to members of marginalized groups, “You are safe to be your authentic self here.”
The RIC designation does not initiate a pastoral transition. However, RIC congregations commit themselves to interviewing queer Rostered Minister candidates in the event of a pastoral transition whenever that happens in the future.
The RIC designation does not mean that Sunday school curriculum will be changed for a particular agenda. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors–all our neighbors–and the RIC designation is a public way to do that for those who have been hurt or marginalized by the Church (universal).
Information and Learning Sessions
We are having information and learning sessions throughout August 2024. You can find the schedule and topics for these sessions here.
Resources for Learning
- What does the Lutheran Church (ELCA) teach about sexuality?
- What does the Lutheran Church (ELCA) teach about gender identity?
- What does the Lutheran Church (ELCA) teach about racial equality?
- Learning the language: What do all the letters stand for?
- What is all the fuss about pronouns?
Other Resources
- Implicit Bias Test from Harvard University
Sermons and other Videos
- “Clunky Questions” – a series of short videos from Reconciling Works addressing common questions asked of LGBTQ church members and pastors
