Reconciling in Christ

Central Lutheran Church is a place of welcome and affirmation for all people. Believing in the call to love one another as Jesus loved us, we try to live the call that the word of God is meant for each and every one of us.

As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Central works with the goals and the call of the ELCA Synod. The 2001 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America mandated that churches engage in studies on human sexuality. The first emphasis was to be on questions about the blessing of same-gender unions and the rostering of persons in committed gay or lesbian relationships. The second effort was to lead to the development of a social statement on sexuality.

These two closely intertwined efforts have been joined under the banner, "Journey Together Faithfully." This is both a call and a goal. Some are eager to do this work. Others are not. Many are apprehensive. However, the 2001 Churchwide Assembly has called upon every member to share in this journey and to pray that it will be a faithful expression of our unity given in Christ. Check out their web-site at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney

Central Lutheran Church engaged conversations about the place of all people, regardless of race, color, health, wealth or sexual orientation in our community. On February 23, 2003, the congregation of Central Lutheran Church adopted the following statement of welcome. In doing so, and after review by its board of directors, Lutherans Concerned/North America added Central Lutheran Church to its roster of welcoming churches.

In response to the call in Romans 15:7 to “welcome one another therefore as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God,” we, the members of Central Lutheran Church, join hands with all our sisters and brothers regardless of race, age, gender, marital status, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, national origin, or economic status. We celebrate both the diversity of God’s family and our unity as God’s people.

Central Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ Congregation.

The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program recognizes Lutheran congregations that welcome and include people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The RIC roster now exceeds 300 settings, including several congregations in the Portland metro area as well as the Oregon Synod. Additional information about the RIC program, including a complete listing of RIC congregations, is available on line through the website www.lcna.org.

The ecumenical community which welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities celebrates the fourth Sunday of January each year as "welcoming” Sunday. In the Lutheran tradition, this is called Reconciling in Christ Sunday. On January 28, 2007, the local chapter of LC/NA and other member churches in the Portland Metro area celebrated RIC Sunday with a special service at Central. On RIC Sunday, Central celebrated with a new banner of rainbow colored hearts that states "All Are Welcome In This Place" and the placing a "rainbow" sign and custom "accessibility" sign on the main church sign on NE 21st Ave.

As a call to make ourselves known as a Reconciling in Christ/Welcoming and Affirming congregation, Central Lutheran is also a member of Community of Welcoming Congregations and advertizes in the Portland Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages and Just Out Magazine

All are Welcome in this Place of God

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