Concord Vol 37 No 1 by ReconcilingWorks

Vol. 37, No.1 SUMMER 2016

Concord

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F R E C O N C I L I N G W O R K S | L U T H E R A N S F O R F U L L PA R T I C I PAT I O N

Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Continues Social change often accompanied by backlash

he last several years have seen significant gains in equality for LGBTQ people in U.S. public policy. In 2011, President Obama repealed the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” law. In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. And in 2015, the nation’s highest court ruled in favor of marriage equality. These acts were dramatic milestones on the road to justice. more than 115 anti-LGBTQ bills in 2015. Yet social change is often accompanied The majority of these bills were so-called by backlash. The year 2015 saw a large “religious freedom” bills attempting to allow number of attempts to negate the gains that individuals, businesses, and tax-funded many have worked for years, decades, and lifetimes to win. According to Human Rights organizations to appeal to religion as Campaign, state lawmakers introduced justification for refusing goods or services to

LGBTQ people. These bills took a number of forms across the country, with many citing the federal Religious Freedom Restoration of 1993 and the troubling interpretation of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby case of 2014 as precedents. Twenty-one such bills were introduced in Texas alone. Some bills have specifically targeted marriage, allowing state judges and clerks to refuse to perform marriages or issue marriage licenses. Some would allow individuals, businesses, and religious organizations to refuse to provide goods and services relating to marriage, or refuse to treat marriages as valid based on their religious beliefs. Other bills have aimed to allow adoption and foster care agencies to continued on page 6

L to R: Zac Backer, ReconcilingWorks; Briosha Sanders, National LGBTQ Task Force; and Alexis Murphy (Southerners on New Ground)

Carving out Space for Queer Southern Lives Conference equips attendees to speak out against marginalization BY ZAC BAKER

had the amazing privilege to attend the LGBT* in the South Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, last month, and the focus on accessibility and access were two themes that resonated greatly with me. Conference organizers practiced these values by encouraging attendees to ask for and respect people’s pronouns; by having all-gender restrooms; offering Spanish, English, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation: providing childcare; and by ensuring the venue was entirely wheelchair accessible.

As a Lutheran, I was thinking of a way to frame these themes within our core value of hospitality. How is creating spaces where everyone can have access and accessibility integral to our identities as people of faith, and, more specifically, as Reconciling in Christ (RIC) communities? The caucus I attended Saturday night, “Leviticus, Abomination, and Mistranslations: New Interpretations of Ancient Texts,” facilitated by the Southern Jewish Resource Network (SOJOURN), really helped me with this framing. We walked through some Old Testament passages that some faith voices use to continued on page 11

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From the Executive Director From the Co-Chair RIC Firsts in State Let Us Build a House Meet New Regional Coordinators Thank You, Jim Siefkes Synod Assembly Updates Board Meeting ELCA Launches Vision Process 2 0 1 6

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Welcome, Inclusion, and Celebration Are Lifesaving AUBREY THONVOLD

very day, I am amazed at the impact of ReconcilingWorks on individuals, congregations, communities, and the church. We as an organization— members, staff, Board, Reconciling in Christ settings, chapters, and volunteers—can be proud to be part of the work and ministry of welcome, inclusion, and celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and their families. The work before us may look and feel different than it did forty-two years ago when ReconcilingWorks was founded, but I can assure you the work remains vast and critical to the lives of LGBTQ people throughout the U.S. and Canada. The devastating discriminatory laws passed recently in North Carolina and Mississippi are horrifying examples of the hostility some LGBTQ people face in their daily lives. The staggering statistics, that an estimated 320,000 to 400,000 LGBTQ youth face homelessness in the United States each year (www.transstudent.org/graphics), is unacceptable. And the lingering blame placed on the LGBTQ community for the “trauma” caused by the 2009 vote in the ELCA is inappropriate. In June, I will be entering into my third year of leadership at ReconcilingWorks. In my time here, I have had the opportunity to

travel to twenty states around the country and interact with a large number of supporters and those who are just beginning their journey of partnership with ReconcilingWorks. I have seen how the culture and climate towards LGBTQ people differs from region to region, state to state, and in urban and rural settings. However, no matter where I am, I am overwhelmed by the deep desire of so many that we must continue our work. I have also learned that everyone has a different definition of “welcome” and “inclusion,” and for some those definitions come with an asterisk and expectation of

but also for the celebration of LGBTQ people in all of our wholeness in the church. Welcome: You can walk through the door. Inclusion: You can sit at the table. Celebration: You can host the party. In early March of this year, I attended the ELCA Conference of Bishops, where I was grateful to connect with a number of allied bishops and churchwide staff. I was also grateful to be able to meet with Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Although our meeting was not scheduled, she was able to give me some time one afternoon. I began our conversation by thanking her for her service to the church and acknowledging the tremendous amount of work she does on behalf of the ELCA. I told her I wanted to talk to her about a need for pastoral care for LGBTQ people in the ELCA, because after attending a number of meetings at the Lutheran Center, I had heard leaders in the church often referring to the “trauma” of 2009. When the conversation of the 2009

Welcome, inclusion, and celebration are not only the right things to do, but is also lifesaving things to do for the LGBTQ community. homogeneity. A person can be welcomed or included as long as they are not deemed disruptive to the congregational or cultural norm of the church. ReconcilingWorks believes that God values and embraces each person as a beloved child, that the Spirit gives a diversity of gifts for the common good, and that Jesus Christ calls us to work for justice. It is vital for the organization to not only work for welcome and inclusion,

New and Renewed Membership Quilt Drawing When I’m not traveling around meeting with ReconcilingWorks supporters, Reconciling in Christ communities, and churchwide staff, I enjoy relaxing at home and quilting. At my sewing machine recently, I’ve been thinking of all of the lives that will be impacted by ReconcilingWorks’ presence this year at 48 synod assemblies. So I made this special rainbow quilt, and I want to give it away. Since members are the lifeblood of our organization, I want to give this quilt to one household who renews or activates their ReconcilingWorks membership this Spring. 1. Make a membership contribution, either as a new member or a renewing member: http://reconcilingworks.org/membership 2. You and/or your household will be entered into the drawing. 3. The quilt could be yours! Thank you for your partnership with ReconcilingWorks. The work of welcome, inclusion, and celebration truly cannot happen without you! I am so grateful for you. Aubrey Thonvold Executive Director

churchwide vote is framed as traumatic for the church, it sends the message that the LGBTQ community is causing harm to the church. Bishop Eaton let me know I was not the first person to bring this to her attention. I also shared with Bishop Eaton about the vast discrimination that LGBTQ people face in our country: about losing jobs and housing because of their identity (legal in thirty-two states), about how forty percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ, and that thirty percent of LGBTQ youth attempt suicide (the highest percentage of any adolescent group). It is important for members of ReconcilingWorks and Reconciling in Christ congregations to acknowledge rostered readers when they see them care for LGBTQ people and their families and thank them for their public witness. It is equally important when we encounter rostered leaders who could have better understanding and compassion for LGBTQ people and their families that we, from a place of graceful engagement, share why welcome, inclusion, and celebration personally matter to us. Welcome, inclusion, continued on next page

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ReconcilingWorks will be hosting during the 2016 ChurchWide Assembly in New Orleans. All of the calls will give members the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. ReconcilingWorks is your ministry. The work of this organization is only possible

Calling All Members MIKE CRANDALL

n April 6, Executive Director, Aubrey Thonvold and I hosted the first ReconcilingWorks Quarterly Membership Call. Members joined us from across the U.S. from California to Florida: new members, long-time supporters, chapter leaders, former board members, donors, and volunteers. We spent an hour together celebrating the ministry and mission of ReconcilingWorks. We talked about: • 15,000 people who visited our booth at the ELCA Youth Gathering • 151 new RIC congregations in the last 14 months • New justice work at the intersection of Race & LGBTQ • ReconcilingWorks’ representation at a record breaking 51 of the 65 Synod Assemblies • Deepening and expanding relationships and partnerships within the ELCA and ELCIC

From the Executive Director continued from page 2

and celebration are not only the right things to do, but is also lifesaving things to do for the LGBTQ community. Our work at this time in our culture and church is vast and critical. No one should be discriminated against for being LGBTQ. No youth should have to experience homelessness because they are kicked out of their homes for being LGBTQ. And the

You can join these calls both by telephone and computer to both hear and see how ReconcilingWorks is changing lives. • Funding the mission is part of the mission • And much, much more! Don’t worry if you missed this call; the quarterly calls for June and October will be announced soon. Watch your email for the announcements of dates and times. You can join these calls both by telephone and computer to hear and see how ReconcilingWorks is changing lives and the church to deepen and expand welcome, inclusion, and celebration for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and families. Our call in June will be focused on the work of the 136 volunteers who are working to bring ReconcilingWorks to fifty-one synod assemblies. We’ll also talk about the presence and reception

ELCA needs to reframe the conversation of 2009 from “traumatic” to an opportunity for some LGBTQ people to experience a new sense of wholeness. The arc of justice is long and I am grateful that I am able to do the work I do with each and every one of you. Together we make the world a place where faith, hope, and love can be a reality for all. You are welcome. You belong. We are ReconcilingWorks. ■

RIC Settings Added to the Roster since last issue Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hallandale Beach, Florida

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Monroe, Connecticut

Calvary Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Evanston, Illinois

Christ Lutheran Church, San Clemente, California

Kindred Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas

Epiphany Lutheran Church, Burtonsville, Maryland

King of Glory Lutheran Church, Loveland, Colorado

Family of God Lutheran Church, Bremerton, Washington

Peace Lutheran Church, Slidell, Louisiana

First Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lawrence, Kansas

First Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona

Trinity Lutheran Church, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California

Our Risen Lord Lutheran Church, Burton, Michigan Servant’s Table Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma

For the complete list of RIC congregations, synods, and organizations, go to our website at www.ReconcilingWorks.org/ric.

because of your support and your work. We are excited to offer this new way for us to be able to engage with one another and help shape the future of ReconcilingWorks. ■ Publication Information CONCORD is published twice annually by ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation, www.ReconcilingWorks.org. Subscriptions are included with membership or are available separately: $25 a year to non-members. First class or foreign postage is extra. Write if you have special mailing requirements. Requests for past issues, along with payment of $5 per issue, should be sent to ReconcilingWorks, 1669 Arcade St., Ste 2, Saint Paul, MN 55106-1054. Submissions should be directed to: CONCORD Editor, 1669 Arcade St., Ste 2, Saint Paul, MN 55106-1054 or via e-mail to: concord@ReconcilingWorks.org. Appearance of names of individuals in this newsletter, or membership in ReconcilingWorks does not constitute a definition of sexual orientation. The membership list of ReconcilingWorks and the subscription list to CONCORD are strictly confidential. Send changes of address to address above. ReconcilingWorks Staff Executive Director: Aubrey Thonvold AubreyT@ReconcilingWorks.org Communications and Graphic Design Coordinator: Zac Baker ZacB@ReconcilingWorks.org Director of Communications and Legislative Strategies: Tim Fisher TFisher@ReconcilingWorks.org Program and Development Associate: Ryan Muralt RyanM@ReconcilingWorks.org Lutheran Volunteer Corps Intern: Cassie Hartnett CassieH@ReconcilingWorks.org ReconcilingWorks Board of Directors Co-Chair: Mike Crandall BoardCoChair@ReconcilingWorks.org Co-Chair: Cheryl Stuart BoardCoChair@ReconcilingWorks.org Vice-Chair: Leo Bancroft BoardViceChair@ReconcilingWorks.org Secretary: Dan Graney BoardSecretary@ReconcilingWorks.org Treasurer: Herman Cage BoardTreasurer@ReconcilingWorks.org At-Large Representative: Dr. Marge Charmoli BoardMargeC@ReconcilingWorks.org Canadian Representative: Everett Freeman BoardEverettF@ReconcilingWorks.org At-Large Representative: Philip Moeller BoardPhilipM@ReconcilingWorks.org At-Large Representative: Luis Ochoa BoardLuisO@ReconcilingWorks.org At-Large Representative: Rev. Dan Pharr BoardDanP@ReconcilingWorks.org At-Large Representative: Merton Spencer BoardMertonS@ReconcilingWorks.org Editorial Editorial Director: Tim Fisher TFisher@ReconcilingWorks.org Associate Editor: Carol M. Dunn concordRIC@ReconcilingWorks.org Design: Jim Gerhard jegerhard1953@gmail.com

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RIC Firsts in State Congregations serve as beacons in their respective states. ReconcilingWorks is excited to announce the first Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. These congregations serve as beacons of light for Lutherans in areas where welcoming, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQ people and their families may be difficult to find. Congratulations, all!

for being here. It makes all the difference in the world.” As Good Shepherd member, Heather Pratt, writes, “The people in our congregation are excited about this distinction because it reflects our belief that God’s love truly is for everyone. We strive to help everyone feel at home here and loved by Jesus, not just those who fit a certain mold. We want to continue to get the word out in Northwest Arkansas that we are a Reconciling in Christ congregation because some people have been hurt by churches in the past, and we want them to know this is a safe and loving place for them to encounter God.”

Peace Lutheran Church Slidell, Louisiana

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fayetteville, Arkansas

Rev. Clint Schnekloth writes: Our congregation is proud to be a “first” in our state and synod. It also concerns us that it has taken this long for such a first to happen, and it is our hope and prayer that Good Shepherd will be a catalyst and inspiration for other ELCA congregations in our twostate region to develop statements of welcome and affiliate with Reconciling Works. We plan to be a vocal presence at our synod assembly this spring encouraging other congregations to move forward with becoming RIC. We know from direct experience how much gospel is clearly proclaimed when we stand as allies and full ministry partners with those of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Joining RIC has deepened our understanding of and commitment to welcome, and has made us much more widely known in our community, because so many people know we stood with and for them through some difficult conversations.

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Our congregation’s commitment to welcome enabled us to also stand up and publicly support and successfully pass an Anti-Discrimination Ordinance (see http://tiny.cc/FayCivilRights). So many Christians come to our congregation now from all over the state, and part of what they say is simple but deeply moving: “Thank you

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“It was important that we make it known to ourselves and our community that, after discernment, we know this is the logical conclusion to the Gospel in which grace abounds for everyone—no asterisk!” said the Barb Simmers and Sandra Barnes, pastors of Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, Louisiana. This year, the congregation jubilantly celebrated Mardi Gras and their addition to the RIC roster. Through their RIC Journey, Peace Lutheran Church has come to be known in their community as a congregation willing to publicly and intentionally show grace and love for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. In some cases, this has attracted people who cannot be out in their public lives, but know they can safely join worship each Sunday at Peace Lutheran

as their true and authentic selves. Peace Lutheran Church has answered the call of the RIC program to be a prophetic voice of welcome in a number of ways. They will host an exhibit at a local wedding fair serving the New Orleans area, which will let people know Peace Lutheran is a place where every family can be blessed in their union under God. Peace also operates a community shelter, which opened in response to Hurricane Katrina. The congregation is hoping to extend this ministry to serve those suffering from mental illness and addiction. Peace is also discerning best practices in serving samegender couples and their families through youth and family ministries. Speaking of the congregation’s RIC commitment, Pastor Barnes said, “We are stepping it up!” Peace Lutheran Church is embodying what it means to be a Reconciling in Christ community and is embracing what we all, as members and supporters of ReconcilingWorks, hold dear to the mission and ministry of that program: a call for true and unconditional love for our neighbors, guided by the Holy Spirit, gifted to us by the grace of God through Christ.

Servant’s Table Tulsa, Oklahoma

Laura Bunch, Core Team-Lay Leader for Servant’s Table, writes: We are thrilled to be the first congregation in the state of Oklahoma to become Reconciling in Christ (RIC). When planning our new

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can reach who may have been hurt by Christians. They need to know that God loves us all and is with us all. We want to create a space that is safe for all. We may fail at times, we may fall flat on our faces, but hopefully we will learn from our mistakes, dust off, and try again.

Living in the Bible Belt, we are saddened to know how many churches say “all are welcome,” yet there’s still a big “but only if… “

congregation, it was never a question about whether or not we should become an RIC congregation. From the very beginning, we wanted to avoid any misconception that being welcoming and inclusive is something we would have to work toward. We felt it should just “be” us. Living in the Bible Belt, we are saddened to know how many churches say “all are welcome,”yet there’s still a big “but only if….” Often the “but” is not spoken until you get in there; then it can be spoken quite loudly. We know many are angry at the Christian church for the way it treats LGBTQ folks, and they don’t want any part of a group like that. Servant’s Table wants to be a beacon that says “We are not like that!” We believe there are a lot of people that we

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We welcome everyone, even if you are not sure of your beliefs, or what this whole God thing is about, if you haven’t been to church in a while or maybe never. We invite you to work together with others in mission, both inside and outside this church, and to serve rather than be served. If you’ve been hurt, disgusted, or just plain sick of the church in the past, we welcome you to our table. We welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We welcome you no matter your age, race, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, physical abilities or lack thereof, doubts, favorite beer or even if you prefer White Zinfandel. As the bishop of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod, Michael Girlinghouse, says, “God loves you— period.” And so do we. Unless you’re a real jerk; then we’ll try real hard to love you. ■

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In Honor of…

Honored by…

Doyle and Lucienne Morris

Wayne Morris and Steve Miller

Fernelle Rodriguez The Rev. Alvin G. Lewis

David Smith In honor of Pastor Al Lewis!

The Rev. Alvin G. Lewis

In honor of the Rev. Alvin G. Lewis Jr.

Scott Binde

In honor of Scott Binde

Robert G. Arnold Martin Sjolie Robert M. Goldstein

Jeremy Bankson & Scott Cleavenger

James Fruehling

The Rev. Timothy Feiertag

In honor of Tim’s ordination!

Brit Barkholtz

The Rev. Timothy Feiertag

To honor the ordination of Tim Feiertag.

The Rev. Timothy Feiertag

In honor of the Rev. Timothy Feiertag

The Rev. Timothy Feiertag

In honor of the long-awaited ordination of the Rev. Tim Feiertag!

The Rev. Timothy Feiertag

In honor of Tim Feiertag’s ordination. Anonymous, Marti Scheel, Cheryl Stuart, The people of St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church of Kansas City, Mo.

The Rev. Timothy Feiertag

To honor Tim Feiertag!

Edwin Weber

In honor of the ordination of Edwin Weber

Susan Pine

Happy Birthday!

Wendy and Mert in Ann Arbor

Honoring their Synod Assembly work with ReconcilingWorks in SE Michigan

Kathy Dean, Donna Duensing Kelly Hodgson Kline The Rev. Breonna Roberts

Aubrey Thonvold Cheryl Stuart Tina Buckaloo

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Angus Burch

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Discrimination Continues continued from page 1

refuse to provide any adoption services that would conflict with the “sincerely held religious beliefs” of the agency. Some are designed to allow contractors that discriminate in hiring LGBTQ people to still receive government contracts. Some target transgender folks by imposing discriminatory rules about bathroom and locker rooms they may use. Thankfully, many of these bills of 2015 were defeated. But some were passed, including in Arkansas, Indiana, North Carolina, Utah, and Michigan. Other states enacted similar discriminatory laws in years prior to 2015. (For a detailed map of where anti-LGBTQ discrimination has been written into state law, see EqualityFederation.org.) These bills continue in 2016, with bills already introduced, or likely to be introduced, in over 20 states, including South Dakota, Georgia, West Virginia, and Washington State. Following are two stories of Lutherans working to defeat anti-LGBTQ discrimination in their locales. Bishop Zellmer: This is not how we treat our neighbors In February, the Rev. David Zellmer, bishop of the South Dakota Synod, ELCA, wrote Dennis Daugaard, governor of the state of

South Dakota, asking him to veto a bill that would bar transgender students in the state’s public schools from using bathrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities consistent with their gender identity. In a public letter to the synod, Bishop Zellmer said the bill “ostracizes transgender students, putting them at risk in our schools.” Commenting further, he said, “This is not how we treat our neighbors. We are called to love and protect our neighbor in need. Let us stand in their corner rather than against them. These are the children of our own families, congregations, and communities. Let our love for them lead us to take action for their protection.” Later that month, Governor Daugaard vetoed the bill. Along with receiving letters like Bishop Zellmer’s, Governor Daugaard also agreed to meet with several transgender students in person. Having never met a transgender person before, Daugaard reported that the meeting “helped me see things through their eyes a little better and see more of their perspective.” The South Dakota story is a testament that reconciling works. Graceful engagement by people of faith works. Faceto-face relationship building works. ReconcilingWorks thanks Bishop Zellmer for speaking out against this discriminatory law.

Religious Freedom: Frequently Asked Questions Check out our guide on “Religious Freedom” bills, which provide background on this type of legislation as well as a guide to writing letters to the editor, at www.reconcilingworks.org/resources/injustice

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Discrimination Facts Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people can be fired in

28 32 states, and in

states for transgender people, simply for being who they are. (Source: EqualityFederation.org)

Battle in the River City by the Rev. William “P-Ham” Hamilton In January, the Rev. William Hamilton, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida, added his signature to a joint letter from over a hundred clergy asking for the Jacksonville City Council to expand its human rights ordinance to include LGBTQ people. Pastor Hamilton also spoke at a press conference in support of the bill with other clergy working with Florida Clergy United. “When one of our sisters or brothers suffers from not having basic human rights,” he said, “then we all suffer.” He said the Christian faith tradition is full of stories in which people are “called to step out of comfort zones to provide radical hospitality to all people. This is one of those times.” —Editor

Let me begin by saying I do not understand the need to debate, or let alone vote, on allowing people to have Human Rights. We are God’s creation; therefore, all have human rights. A little history is needed to put in perspective what is going on currently in Jacksonville, Florida, the largest city in the contiguous United States. Yes you read that right: the largest city geographically does not have “human rights” protection for all of its citizens. The city I’ve called home for sixteen years does not protect LGBTQ people from job, housing, or service discrimination. If you are perceived to fall into the aforementioned category, you can be fired, refused services, or find nowhere to lay your head. By law, you can marry today and be fired tomorrow. In 2012, there was an amendment proposed by a city council person to expand the current Human Rights Ordinance (HRO). After hearings that included people from both sides of the issue, which at times

became very contentious, the amendment failed by a large vote. The first reason put out was that “Jacksonville is a fair and just city where discrimination does not exist,” saying there are no statistics to show a need for such protection. This is a Catch-22; without the expansion, no one can file a discrimination suit, therefore you have no tracking mechanism. It was determined by the supporters of the expanded HRO that education was needed around LGBTQ discrimination. There was also the reality that, given the make-up of the council itself, there could be no possibility of passing the HRO. A plan for educating the public through community training was put into motion. This was a two-year effort. With the election cycle for city council coming in 2015, an effort was made to identify people who might run for city office and to determine their stand on the HRO expansion, so that education could be conducted on that level. During the election cycle, Mayor Curry stated he would conduct community forums to hear the concerns of the people around the HRO. To fulfill his promise, three events were conducted with the following themes: Supporting the Needs and Well-Being of Families; Religious Freedoms; and Thoughts, Beliefs, and Understanding the Law and its Effects on Business. A panel hand-picked by the mayor spoke to the themes.

Discrimination Facts

43% 6% of the LGBTQ population in the U.S. lives in states with constitutional or statutory religious exemption laws.

lives in states permitting state-licensed child welfare agencies to refuse to place and provide services to children and families, including LGBT people and same-sex couples, if doing so conflicts with their religious beliefs. (Source: EqualityFederation.org)

Marriage Conversations Resource Updated See the updated version of “Your People Shall Be My People: Stories, Questions, and Resources for Conversations About Marriage for All Loving, Committed Couples.” This conversational resource is designed for use in small groups, congregations, or synod workshops. www.reconcilingworks.org/resources/yf

It was interesting that the attorney who defended Mrs. Kim Davis (the Clerk of Court who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-gender couples) was on all of the panels. Also selected for the panel was the Rev. Kenneth Atkins, who posted offensive propaganda against the sponsor of the bill to expand the HRO. Following opening statements by panel members, people from the community were allowed to make comments in the form of questions to panel members. Those against the more inclusive ordinance language used the common issues: bathrooms, religion, forfeiture of rights and or belief. The few people that were allowed to speak on behalf of the proposal shared personal experiences of discrimination. Just prior to the forums, a city council member sponsored a bill to expand the HRO. Immediately, another council member sponsored a bill to take an HRO bill to referendum—which means to put it on the ballot to let the people of Jacksonville determine if the HRO should be expanded to include LGBTQ community. Keep in mind you never want the majority to vote on the rights of the minority. This comes from an African American who would not be giving you this update had the rights of my people

been brought to a vote of the majority. During the timeframe of the forums (about 4–5 weeks), over one hundred faith leaders signed a letter to the mayor and city council in support of the expanded HRO. Also, 250 local business owners and CEOs, along with the Chamber of Commerce, sent letters of support. The mayor finally chimed in on his stance: he was not in support of the expanded HRO. He was not convinced that discrimination existed enough to warrant a change to the ordinance. He directed that the city must ensure that no discrimination for LGBTQ people would be allowed, including discrimination among any vendors hired by the city. With this one fell swoop, the waters were tested among the city council as to who would support the expansion. The waters were troubled. The sponsors of both HRO bills announced they would be pulling their bills. At the next City Council meeting, the bills were pulled, with a promise to revisit the HRO issue in the future. All that being said, not all of our human Sisters and Brothers have rights. Please pray for my friends and especially for my city, “in whom I am well ashamed.” ■

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Let Us Build a House What it means to be Reconciling in Christ BY THE REV. ELAINE WATSKEY

ho is sitting in worship each Sunday and suffering in silent anguish? As a retired ELCA pastor and as a Regional Coordinator for ReconcilingWorks, I often ponder this question. Sadly, I think the answer to this question is “there are many.” The Church should be the place where all out of the shadows into the radiant light of can feel safe and loved—a place where the Christ’s love, where they and those they love warmth of a faith family surrounds you. Yet can find safety, respect, and the embrace of that often is not the case. Consider the welcome. That is what it means to be a youth who feels he must hide the fact that Reconciling in Christ congregation, a he is gay; or the parents that hesitate to congregation that has intentionally and invite their visiting daughter and her samepublically made it known that all are gender partner to worship with them, welcome. As an example of this, I lift up one because they are afraid that the pastor or of our newest Reconciling in Christ parishioners will shun them or treat them congregations, First Evangelical badly. What about the grandparents who Lutheran/La Primera in Mesa, Arizona.

The Church should be the place where all can feel safe and loved—a place where the warmth of a faith family surrounds you. are afraid for their little grandson who will soon begin school and thus are worried that parents will discover that this little boy has two mommies, not a mom and dad? Will the little boy be bullied or treated as someone who is “different” and therefore rejected by his classmates and their parents? No one wants to be rejected or have a loved one rejected by others. Hearts are broken every day, because we, the Church, we, the people of God, don’t reach out in a public way to welcome all people. Through love and understanding, we must bring those who are silently suffering

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According to Lynda Maraby, lay leader and lead for the congregation’s Core Team, “First Evangelical Lutheran/La Primera was already a very welcoming congregation. It was time to acknowledge that publicly and to move toward full inclusion. We are continually being blessed with new understanding as we continue down our path.” We are the Church. We are God’s hands, feet, mouth, and ears. We are the visible presence of Christ in the world. We are the ones who can love and welcome. We are the ones who can bind the emotional wounds of

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The Rev. Elaine Watskey serves as ReconcilingWorks’ Regional Coordinator for Region 2.

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Remembered by…

James A Siefkes

In memory of Jim Siefkes.

James A Siefkes

Gift in memory of Jim Siefkes

Charlotte Lohman

In memory of Charlotte P. Lohman.

Charlotte Lohman

In memory of Charlotte Lohman

Charlotte Lohman

In loving memory of Charlotte Lohman 10/9/25 – 11/8/15

Charlotte Lohman

In memory of Charlotte Lohman

Pastor Paul Stone

others and offer a whole and healthy life to all who cross the threshold of our place of worship. Whether you are a lay leader or pastor, I ask you in the name of Christ to be a part of the mission and ministry of ReconcilingWorks, by beginning the process of becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Let the words of Marty Haugen’s wonderful hymn All Are Welcome ring out in your congregation: 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. ■

Herb Siefkes Mark Scott Johnson Brett E. Bowman Gretchen Elise Freeman The Remming-Vergun Family

Jean Chapman Johansson, Ann King, LeeAnne Lack, Kathy M. Peterson, Elizabeth M. Rowan, Southdale Dental Associates, Andrea Tharaldson Albert Ahlstrom

Brenda Haug

In Memory of Brenda Haug of Minneapolis.

Jack B Gibbons II

Jack B Gibbons II +05 July 2015

Anonymous Dennis Walker

Ron Vaughn and Jim Moses

Vernon C. Reamer

Bill Vollman

Janet M Mathistad

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Meet New Regional Coordinators Learn more about Ken Neundorf and Anita Larson Andres

econcilingWorks welcomes two new folks serving as Regional Coordinators (RCs). RCs work in their geographic regions, which correspond to the ELCA’s nine regions plus Canada. RCs represent the movement and ministry of ReconcilingWorks, particularly the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program. They help congregations begin their journeys of welcome, inclusion, and celebration. They help inaugurate new RIC settings and accompany established RIC congregations in furthering their ministries. They are bridge-builders who believe that all are God’s beloved and that the Spirit gives a diversity of gifts to all people. Nebraska, where she has lived for over 30 years. She is a member of Shepherd of the Hills in Omaha. Her lifelong concern for social justice issues pulled her into political involvement, anti-war, feminist issues, LGBTQ support, and local church in-reach and outreach activities. Avoidance of God’s call only lasts so long; Anita is now serving in a part-time lay ministry capacity to a rural Nebraska church, in addition to her new, exciting role as ReconcilingWorks’ Regional Coordinator for Region 4. She is a Stephen Ministry Leader, has volunteered within the Nebraska Synod, supports Christian presence in the Tri Faith Initiative, and

Ken Neundorf (he/him) was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. He is a lifelong Lutheran. Ken struggled for many years with his sexual orientation and, when he finally came out, was chased out of his home congregation. He found ReconcilingWorks and has been a faithful member since 2000. He serves as the convener of the Pittsburgh Chapter. His faith and trust in God has led him to dedicate his life to creating a world where the next generation will not feel they have to hide as he did. He is a member of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the congregation council as financial secretary. On the synod level, he recently finished serving on the council of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod and is currently a member of the synod’s Congregational Life Committee. Anita Larson Andres (she/her) grew up in rural Minnesota and has lived in California and Wyoming. She is now in

answers calls for assistance as needed in her church and local community. Retired for nine years from a 37-year career in telecommunications, Anita currently lives with her grandcat on a hill near Omaha. She has two adult daughters living in California and Newfoundland, providing perfect vacation destinations. ■

2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly August 8–13, 2016 Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, Louisiana ReconcilingWorks will be present for the duration of the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to strengthen and further life-giving ministries of welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQ people and their families in church and society. If you attending the assembly, either as a voting member, visitor, or in any other capacity, please come find us. See the ReconcilingWorks website as we get closer to the assembly date. This year, the assembly will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation under the theme “Freed and Renewed in Christ” and the accompanying tagline “500 years of God’s Grace in Action.” It will be a time to renew our commitment to the principle by which the church stands or falls: justification by faith. Justified by our faith, our relationship with God made good as a gift from God, we will gather to ask afresh, “What shall we say now in order to be life-giving today?” For more information on the assembly, see www.elca.org/ChurchwideAssembly

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Shepherd in Minneapolis, the Rev. Anita Hill said, “Jim Siefkes is a hero. Without him I wouldn’t be standing here wearing this collar as a rostered member of the ELCA clergy. There are now over 200 openly LGBT clergy and seminarians because of Jim’s pioneering work. He’s a hero to LGBT Lutherans and our families and friends across the country.” In 1992, ReconcilingWorks established the Jim Siefkes Justice-Maker Award to recognize superior and tireless efforts of straight, cisgender allies on behalf of LGBTQ Lutherans, with Jim being the first recipient. ReconcilingWorks gives thanks for the life and work of Jim Siefkes. May light eternal shine upon him. ■ Sources include the Star Tribune and Obie Holmen.

Meet God

Thank You, Jim Siefkes The Rev. Dr. James A. Siefkes (March 29, 1929 – February 20, 2016)

ith great sadness, ReconcilingWorks notes the passing of the Rev. Jim Siefkes, who died on February 20 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jim was instrumental in the founding of Lutherans Concerned for Gay People, which later was named Lutherans Concerned/North American and then ReconcilingWorks. Concerns, and later the director of the Working with the American Lutheran Mission Discovery Program of the ELCA. He Church (ALC), a predecessor body of the ELCA, Jim secured funding for a meeting “to retired in 1991. Jim also helped found the Program in enable at least one national meeting of up to Human Sexuality at the University of twenty ALC homosexual persons, plus five Minnesota Medical School. He served as resource persons, to discuss their sexual adjunct staff to the first task force on human orientation and their relationship because sexuality of the ELCA, had founding of it, to society and their church; to the end developmental roles with the church’s that they may address the church and the domestic hunger ministries, Lutheran Peace church might respond to them and become Fellowship, Lutheran Selective Service less a source of oppression to ALC and other Information, Coalition of Black Members, persons with homosexual orientation.” He prison ministries, and a variety of other wrote the Affirmation of Welcome, which is ministries. He served on the National the heart of the Reconciling in Christ Interreligious Service Board for Program, now encompassing over 640 Conscientious Objectors and on the board settings across North America. of directors of Sex Information Education In 1961, Jim began a career on the Council in the U.S. (SIECUS). He produced national staff of the American Lutheran the first denominational publications in Church (ALC). He served as Regional regard to HIV/AIDS education for churches. Director of Stewardship and became the At the February 26 memorial service founder and director of the ALC’s held at Lutheran Church of the Good Department of Congregational Social

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God is alive and well Somewhere, someplace, every place, yet … no place! God does not exist— for God is more than existence. God is not wise—for God is more than wise. God is not one of the things that are— for God is more than the things that are. God is not being—for God is more than that which is. So … God is nothing—for God is everything. We, with the angels see through a glass darkly— that God is both everything and nothing. We see not God, for we cannot see what does not exist We can meet God who animates the created world, and is revealed in things like flowers, birds, trees and human beings! Hi God! Jim Siefkes May 22, 1995

2016 Synod Assembly Season Breaks Record

his year, ReconcilingWorks members and volunteers will host display tables at fiftytwo synod assemblies across the U.S., engaging with approximately ten to fifteen thousand active members of the ELCA. Fifty-two synods is an all-time high for an assembly season, and offers an unprecedented opportunity to reach more Lutherans than ever before. This season, we are focusing on the LGBTQ people and their families through welcome, inclusion, and celebration of Reconciling in Christ, our core program,

Queer Southern Lives continued from page 1

condemn LGBTQ people and finally arrived at Ezekiel 16:49: “The sin of your sister Sodom was this: She lived with her daughters in the lap of luxury—proud, gluttonous, and lazy. They ignored the oppressed and the poor.” As a recovering Southern Baptist, I get really nervous when we start to determine what is sinful and what is not. I would rather leave that to the Holy Spirit. But after

compounded. For example, if someone is both deaf and queer, they do not necessarily have the privilege of having someone who is an LGBTQ ally as an interpreter. How might the interpreter’s opinion about gender identity and sexual orientation influence their ability to interpret objectively? “Bigotry is applied ignorance,” I wrote down in my notebook at the end of this workshop. But we know oppression doesn’t only exist in micro interactions; it can also weave itself into the fabric of our religious and

As a recovering Southern Baptist, I get really nervous when we start to determine what is sinful and what is not. reading this verse from Ezekiel, I have never before been so clearly convicted how my ignorance of oppression hurts God’s heart more than any sexual sin humanity can concoct. In “GaySL: A Crash Course in LGBTQ American Sign Language,” we talked about how we all live at the center of multiple identities and how, when those identities are oppressed, the result can be

cultural institutions. Two young black women working for Soulforce facilitated “Building Faith Back Up: Black Women’s Literature as Canon.” They used Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and asked permission to include it as a sacred text to affirm black and brown women’s lives, especially in light of how the Bible was assembled in a time bolstered by colonialism and patriarchy.

as well as on educational resources on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. To increase our engagement even further, we will be utilizing social media with as many synod assembly voting members and visitors as possible. Twitter will be especially helpful for alerting assembly-goers that we are present at the assembly, directing them to our display tables, and highlighting assembly business of interest. If you are attending a synod assembly, please connect to Twitter and look for us! Another first this year: we are sending an” Advocate Package” to all active ReconcilingWorks members who have let us know they are serving as synod assembly voting members. The package will contain a collection of pins, brochures, and other goodies to equip folks to further ReconcilingWorks’ ministries of welcome, inclusion, and celebration of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions and their families. ■

Gay people have, for decades, been carving out survival space to exist in the South. This conference opened my eyes to how other oppressed communities are doing it. As a white, cisgender man from Columbia, South Carolina, I have a renewed call to stand up and speak out for people who are marginalized by racism, ableism, ageism, monosexism (the idea that a person can only be gay or straight), the fear of the feminine, and transphobia. I’m leaving inspired by the faith organizers, the activists, and the allies I shared space with who are already doing just this. ■ *Note: Although the term LGBT is most commonly used to refer to our community, there are many diverse identities not represented by those four letters. The asterisk in “LGBT* in the South” is meant to acknowledge the many orientations and gender identities placed under the umbrella term of LGBT, such as queer, pansexual, asexual, intersex, agender, genderqueer, non-binary, gender non-conforming, two-spirit, genderfluid, and many more. For more information about many of these identities, check out ReconcilingWorks’ new resource “Lutheran Introduction to our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Neighbors,” downloadable for free at RWKS.org/resources/sogi/lgbtq. Zac Baker serves on the staff of ReconcilingWorks as Communications and Graphic Design Coordinator.

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PHOTOC REDIT GOES HERE

Back row, L to R: Rev. Dan Pharr, Mike Crandall, Everett Freeman, Louis Ochoa. Middle: Cheryl Stuart, Leo Bancroft, Mert Spencer, Rev. Ellen Taube. Front: Marge Charmoli, Dan Graney, Mary Cage, Herman Cage.

Board Meeting ReconcilingWorks welcomes two new board members

he Board of Directors had a full agenda when it met in Minneapolis from April 21–23. The Board joyfully welcomed two new members to its ranks. Mr. Merton Spencer, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Travis Van Horn. Mert is also the Regional Coordinator in Region 6 and plans to continue in that role.

ELCA Launches Vision Process ReconcilingWorks urges RIC communities, members to participate

alled Forward Together in Christ is an ELCA visioning process designed to help church leaders make decisions about the future identity, direction and priorities of the ELCA. In its beginning stage, the ELCA has invited everyone—folks in congregations, synods, social ministries, educational institutions—to have conversations about the future of the church and provide ideas and feedback. Conversational opportunities will vary by synod and by congregation and will include surveys, guided discussion forums, and informal responses. download the ReconcilingWorks encourages RIC Called Forward communities and all Together in Christ supporters of welcome, toolkit. Among the inclusion, and “conversation celebration of LGBTQ starters” in the people and their toolkit are these families to participate two questions of in these conversations particular and provide feedback importance to the whenever and mission of wherever the ReconcilingWorks: opportunities arise What kind of in your locale. It’s church do we believe important that the church hears from you! God is calling us to become? Also, we encourage all to go How do we become an to www.elca.org/future and

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The Board also appointed the Rev. Ellen Taube, from Virginia, Minnesota, as Chaplain to the Board. Both new members jumped right in as we worked with consultants Bob Glavin and Susan Jacobson to learn how to be better board members and ways to meet one of our strategic-plan goals of financial stability. We give thanks to the Haas Jr. Foundation who is investing in our leadership development by funding the work with these gifted consultants. On the horizon is synod assembly season, followed in August by the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans. Other activities over the coming year include regional gatherings, member phone calls, and Building an Inclusive Church trainings. The Board departed renewed in our commitment to our life-saving, lifeaffirming work of welcome, inclusion, and celebration of LGBTQ people and their friends and families in the church and in the world. Have YOU invited someone to become a member lately? ■

inclusive, diverse church that is inspiring and relevant in different communities? As individuals, congregations, and other communities, please submit your ideas, insights, learnings, and yearnings by email to future@elca.org by the end of May. You can also tweet your thoughts via Twitter #ELCAfuture. ■

Evergreen Giver Become an

Contributing monthly to ReconcilingWorks ensures a sustainable source of funding to grow and expand the RIC program creating places where LGBTQ people are welcomed, included and celebrated. Join the growing list of sustaining givers now!

RWKS.org/Donate