Reconciling in Christ

Reconciling in Christ

RIC AFFIRMATION AND WELCOME STATEMENT


Affirmation:
As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of our world, knowing that the world is often a place of alienation and brokenness, a harsh and unloving place. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society and active witnesses to God’s presence in the world.

We commit to being a Reconciling in Christ Congregation.
We believe that all deserve a safe environment to hear God’s Word, to find sanctuary, and to be fed and sustained by the gifts of grace presented in baptism and communion.


We believe strongly that all persons have valuable stories and infinite worth.

We seek to ensure that the WHOLE Body of Christ receives nourishment: the nourishment of food, and of love, and of welcome, and of support, and of respect. 

Therefore, rejoicing in God’s abundant grace, we extend a special welcome to all who are seeking God’s love and grace.

Welcome:
As members of Epiphany Lutheran Church, we welcome you regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, culture, addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. Everyone who gathers here is expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation. We pledge to ourselves and to all others that we will strive to live as a reconciling people, in our life together and in our outreach to the world.

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“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

“God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now, you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.”  1 Corinthians 12:24-27

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28