RIC - Reconciling in Christ

St. Mary's Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 2018. We welcome into our full life and ministry people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, age, occupation, ability, nationality and race.   

Through the Reconciling in Christ Program, ministries, resources, events and alliances, there's been built a community for worship, education and support in all Lutheran settings. We ensure full participation in all sacraments, inclusive liturgical resources, and ministries of the Church, inviting all people into Gospel lives of authenticity, integrity, and wholeness.

Masterful Ministry Multitude,

Peace and blessings from the God who makes rainbows, that both add the beauty of color to our world and combine together in harmonious light.

Thank you all who were able to join us tonight. For those who could not, here's what we discussed.

ELM Has a New Interim Director: Roberta Lara Aranda

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (and Proclaim) is an organization for queer seminarians and rostered leaders in the ELCA, and they just announced a new interim director.

https://www.elm.org/2025/07/31/welcoming-roberto-lara-aranda-as-elms-interim-executive-director/

A Time of Learning and Growing Together

I wish you could have been there for the deep and rich conversation we had around growing edges in our welcome of LGBTQIA+ people. As part of that conversation, here's some resources I shared:

• https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/resources-for-the-lgbtqia-community
• https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/welcoming/ways/10-ways
• https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/welcoming/ways/inclusive-language-guidance
• https://urj.org/blog/18-ways-make-lgbt-members-feel-welcome-your-congregation
• https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/creating-safer-spaces-in-schools-for-lgbtq-young-people/

Fall Learning Events

This year instead of doing one large learning day, we're having a series of small events.

August 23 (Sat): Mikah Meyer, Round 1 at St. Mary's, Kenosha

See August 2-3 announcements, top of page 2: https://www.stmaryslutheran.org/pages/uploaded-documents-files

October 2 (Thurs): Mikah Meyer, Round 2 at TBD

November 7 (Fri): Red State Revival with Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber at St. Matthew's, Wauwatosa

Sadly sold out already. :-( Just announced on August 3, and already sold out!

TBD: Choosing Love, author conversation.

Progress Toward Updating Partner Commitments

Keep working! We'll have an updated list of who's completed this work and who hasn't next month. ReconcilingWorks wants every congregation to been done with their updates by January 2026!

Favorite LGBTQIA+ resources?

Movies

• 1946 - https://www.1946themovie.com/
• For the Bible Tells Me So
• Pride (2014, based on true story)
• Boys Don't Cry (1999, based on a true story, content warning)
• Will & Harper (2024, documentary)

TED Talks

• The Power of Difficult Conversations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjY56aFwQus
• How Uncomfortable Conversations Can Save Lives https://www.ted.com/talks/lyra_mckee_how_uncomfortable_conversations_can_save_lives
• I've Lived as Man and a Woman - Here's What I've Learned https://www.ted.com/talks/paula_stone_williams_i_ve_lived_as_a_man_and_as_a_woman_here_s_what_i_ve_learned
• TED Topic: Transgender https://www.ted.com/topics/transgender
• TED Topic: LGBTQIA+ https://www.ted.com/topics/lgbtqia

GMS's RIC Ministry Team • Facebook

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What is GMS's RIC Ministry Team?

A gathering of people from Reconciling in Christ worshipping communities and others in Greater Milwaukee Synod seeking to welcome, include, celebrate, and advocate for our LGBTQIA+ siblings, both in our worshipping communities and in our neighborhoods.