We Are Reconciling in Christ

St. Andrew Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ Congregation.  What’s that? 

About ten years ago, our congregation voted, UNANIMOUSLY, to adopt a statement that we would be open and welcoming to ALL people who seek to know Christ, regardless of any discriminating factor, including their sexual orientation or gender identity.  We became part of a community of believers, affiliated with Lutherans Concerned/North America, to adopt this statement.  By doing so, we became a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation.

Tomorrow, the last Sunday in January, Jan. 30, is Reconciling in Christ Sunday. 

This one of the things I love about my congregation.  We voted unanimously to become RIC because it is part of the culture of who we are.  There were no dissenters.  We all knew this was the right thing to do.  We were already living it; we should just say it out loud.  All are welcome here. 

One of my favorite hymns (yes, another song reference) is “All Are Welcome” Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal #641, by Marty Haugen.  The words of this song are the words St. Andrew lives by.  (See below)

We believe as the apostle Paul wrote in Galations 3:28  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

We jokingly say that our slogan should be “We don’t care,” because we don’t care.  We don’t care if you’re male, female or trans-gendered. We don’t care if you’re heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.  We don’t care if you’re married, single, or divorced.  We don’t care if you’re in recovery.  We don’t care if you wear jeans to church or dress up (although we tend to be pretty casual).  We don’t care if you’re red, yellow, black, white or rainbow striped.  We.  Don’t.  Care. 

But we really DO care.  We DO care that you are here with us.  We DO care that you feel welcome here.  We DO care that you find a relationship with God and work to draw closer to Him.  We DO care that you should not feel judged by the people here.  We DO care that your gifts and talents are recognized and valued here.  We DO care that you find fellowship with the other members of the body of Christ who worship here.  We DO care…because you are a child of God… our brother or sister in Christ Jesus.

We live it.  Believe it.  We don’t care…because we DO care.

All are welcome in this place!

Is your church Reconciling in Christ? Go here for more information and resources to help move your congregation toward that goal.

All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen

(Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A700392)

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,

where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;

here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat:

a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone

to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.

Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;

let us bring an end to fear and danger: 

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,

Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all our welcome in this place.

Thank you Marty Haugen for your beautiful, beautiful song!