Our RIC Journey
The purpose of the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is to ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work and support the national program.
What is Reconciling in Christ (RIC) All About?
As we live more fully into our core value of Being Welcoming and Inclusive, we will be starting conversation this year to discern becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation. This came up in our 2019 visioning discussions we had at Christ the King when we talked about HOW we wanted to practice being welcoming and inclusive. Eventually Christ the King will vote on whether we will become an RIC congregation.
Reconciling in Christ congregations work to publicly see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church. Additionally they work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work.
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To be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, faith communities:
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Explicitly 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 its welcome statement.
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Are open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader.
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Allow community space/sanctuary to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings.
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Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.
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To find more information on the Reconciling in Christ program
please visit our partner organization:
The RIC Core Team
The Reconciling in Christ Core Team is the group of Christ the King members who are facilitating and leading this discussion. They're the folks to reach out to with questions and concerns.
Kelly Vils
Council Secretary
Jeff Otto
Laura Flaker-Albrent
Sonja Dyreson
Council President
Updates On the Process
Where We've
Been:
2019: CtK identified Being welcoming and inclusive as a core value of the congregation. At that time a group of ministry partners identified becoming an RIC congregation as a potential action goal.
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2021: The CtK church council identified that it was a good time to start the RIC process and voted to begin exploration.
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2021: A core team of CtK ministry partners was formed to plan and facilitate the process in the congregation.
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2022: The RIC Core team formulated a plan for the process and began having
1-on-1 conversations with people of the congregation to get a feel for readiness.
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2023: The core team reached out to the congregation with a survey to gauge readiness.
Where we Are Now:
January 28, 2024: Christ the King voted on a new welcome statement
2024 CtK Welcome Statement:
Living out our faith, at Christ the King (CtK), calls us to use the radical love of Christ to be a safe and affirming congregation for all people. The understanding and work of Christ’s love is ongoing. Through our words, actions, and hospitality we strive to care for all of humanity and creation. As Jesus welcomes the children “to come unto me…”, we include the LGBTQIA+ community into the CTK family. Our journey continues to create space for deeper ministry, understanding, and to celebrate diversity and inclusivity to all marginalized communities. It is a beginning point that
extends until justice and compassion are shared with all People. Together we grow in relationship with God and our community.
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Study of scripture: together we will continue to dive into scripture to explore what the Bible has to say
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Reaching Outside Our Walls: we will continue to reach outside of the walls of CtK to live into our new welcome statement.