A New RIC Community: Trinity Lutheran Church (Dover, NJ)

Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community: Trinity Lutheran Church (Dover, NJ).

Their welcome statement reads:

“All Are Welcome in This Place!

The people of Trinity Lutheran Church of Dover, New Jersey, welcome you to our church community. We invite you to worship with us, enjoy the fellowship of a loving congregation and learn more about TLC and our Lutheran tradition.
We extend a loving welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, queer, confused, rich, comfortable or poor. We welcome wailing babies and excited toddlers. We welcome you whether you can sing like Pavarotti or quietly hum. We welcome those of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, political affiliations, immigration status and primary languages (Our service is in English). We welcome you if you are more Christian than Martin Luther, or haven’t been to church since Confirmation. We welcome those who are questioning their faith, have not participated in organized religion, grew up in another tradition or religion, or are just looking to sit a while.
We welcome, with open arms, those who are over 60 but not yet grown up, and teenagers who are growing up way too fast. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, both or neither. We welcome keep-fit moms, football dads, starving artists, tree huggers, latte-sippers (though you’ll need to settle for coffee here!), vegetarians, junk-food eaters and those who love a good Lutheran coffee hour. We embrace those who are in recovery (grape juice is offered at communion), or still addicted. We welcome you if you are having problems, are down in the dumps or don’t like organized religion.
We offer a smiling welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, are recently unemployed, can’t spell or are just here because Grandma made them come. We welcome those who are hearing impaired, have physical and mental health conditions and children, youth and adults with special needs.
We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved upon them as kids, or simply took the wrong train and ended up here by mistake! We welcome those who wish to be welcomed with an extended hand and listening ear, as well as folks who want to sit silently in a pew. We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters, those who are hurting and those who are celebrating.
We welcome YOU!
Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church of Dover. The little yellow church on the corner of Mercer and Blackwell Streets! Jesus Loves You!

“Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger. All are welcome, all are welcome in this place.”
(Haugen, Marty, GIA Publications, Inc. 1994)
Trinity thanks the people of Coventry Cathedral and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Your welcome statements inspired us.

We, the people of Trinity Lutheran Church, welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace, the fellowship of others, or a brief rest. We welcome all regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, relationship status, immigration status or political affiliation. We lovingly welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socioeconomic status, church affiliation, no prior church experience, or anything that too often divides us. Our unity is in the delight of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Learn more about Trinity Lutheran Church at: www.tlcnj.org