Statement of Welcome & Inclusion
In 2016, Trinity became a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation. Trinity was approached by Reconciling Works, the organization that assists congregations to be open and affirming with the RIC designation, and asked to reassess our commitment to welcome and inclusion.
To be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, your faith community will:
Clearly state a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+”
and name its commitment to "racial equity" or "anti-racism" in a Welcome Statement.Be open to calling LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC (Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color) Rostered Leaders.A Rostered Leader is any clergy/pastor or deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); this commitment extends to all areas of leadership within the life of your community.
Allow sanctuary/community space to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings.
Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.
In order to address these new commitments, a committee was formed to create a plan and draft a statement. Corky Siegfriedt, Leesa Sherborne, and Lauren Busey met to discuss these requirements, draft a new statement, and create a plan that will include our congregation in our journey to this new statement of welcome.
With full support of the congregational council, the committee has provided a draft statement to present to the congregation.
Here at Trinity, we fully welcome everyone into community.
We seek to provide a place of true sanctuary in a world that too often offers
judgment instead of grace and exclusion rather than embrace.
We celebrate racial and ethnic diversity, and invite all — from the indigenous
to the immigrant — to join us.
We rejoice to fully include LGBTQIA+ people, both as members and leaders.
We embrace those with physical or mental health challenges and developmental
disabilities, in a physically accessible environment.
We happily include people wherever they are on their faith journey, including
seekers with deep doubts and questions, those who are new to the faith,
and seasoned long-time believers.
We believe that when Jesus commanded his followers to live the Gospel
with ALL people — he meant it!
Welcome!
Over next few weeks, the congregation will be invited to join in conversations and tell stories that have happened inside our community. We’ll delve into the importance of inclusion and welcome, especially in light of today’s world. These conversations are scheduled for Oct. 16th, Nov. 2nd, and Nov. 16th.
With these stories and conversations in mind, we’ll meet to discuss the draft of the statement and make revisions on January 11th, in order to finalize the statement at our congregation’s annual meeting at the end of January 2026.
