Reconciling Works

A special report from Pr. Keith Banwart, President – Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles the Southern California Chapter of ReconcilingWorks

2013 has been a historic year for ReconcilingWorks and the LGBTQ movement as a whole. As you celebrate 2013’s achievements with us, take a look back at some of our favorite resources, snippets, videos, and books. Some are from ReconcilingWorks while others have been produced by our movement partners.

Like Black Friday, when we brave the cold early morning hours to buy gifts for our loved ones, #GivingTuesday is when we have the power to make a special difference—making a gift to our favorite non-profit, by connecting our checkbooks to our hearts.

“Today I want to say as a Christian, as a priest, to all the LGBTI community, I am deeply sorry for our part as religious people, in the pain you have experienced across the ages. I have a dream that in my lifetime, I will hear all the leaders of all our great faith traditions making the same apology.”

This apology came during the closing prayer session of the assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), held from October 30 to November 8 in Busan, South Korea. It was given by Father Michael Lapsley, Director of the Institute for Healing of Memories, which is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a very unusual “holiday.” The tone and intention of the day can easily be misunderstood, especially by those who may be well-meaning, but new to transgender communities. Here are ten things every Lutheran and TDOR planner should know about Transgender Day of Remembrance.