Annual Report to Council

Trinity Lutheran Church

Reconciling In Christ

2023 Committee Report to Council

The TLC Council voted in 2022 to establish an ad hoc committee to lead the congregation in our RIC journey. A Core Team was established and have been meeting monthly since July 2022 to plan informative, interactive, and engaging content that is directed by the Reconciling Works “Building and Inclusive Church” toolkit. The goal is to help our faith community deepen and expand our welcome to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, races, ages, and abilities.

The core team currently consists of:

Sarah

Pastor T

Sue

Wendy

Susan

Phil

Kathy

Patricia

Monthly “Ministry Moments” are presented during church service announcements and include but are not limited to the following examples:

• “Your Questions Answered” - responses to various questions and comments about the RIC journey and content, submitted to the core team. Physical and virtual Q&C boxes have been created for this purpose.

• Meditation and reflection on personal experiences of exclusion or marginalization

• Presentation of historical information regarding important black Lutheran figures and the first ELCA church (Black History Month)

• Informational session regarding LGBTQIA+ terminology and definitions

• Various Pride Month Activities, including a screening of “Disclosure,” a documentary film focused on transgender depictions in film and TV, a discussion forum about “Understanding Scripture and Our LGBTQIA+ neighbors,” and a Rainbow Potluck and Tie Dye social event

Efforts to remain transparent and connected with the congregation regarding RIC Core Team activity have been made to include:

• Creation and maintenance of a binder in the church library containing copies of all meeting minutes, Ministry Moment scripts, YQA responses, and resources

• Creation of an online blog site (in progress)

• Creation of an official charter statement (in progress)

Literary resources have been purchased by the church and supplied for loan to congregation members in the church library.

• Lutheran Introduction Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Gender Expression

• Guide to Welcome LGBTQIA+ Youth & their families

• Lutheran Guide to Advocate for LGBTQIA+ People in Church and Society

• Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans - On Sexuality and Gender Identity