Advisory Member: ReconcilingWorks

ELCA Church Council Report — Spring 2026

Who We Are

Since 1974, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, celebration, and equity of LGBTQIA+ Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community.

ReconcilingWorks accompanies congregations, synods, and leaders across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) to deepen practices of inclusion, justice, and belonging. As an independent nonprofit, this work is sustained through the generosity of individuals, congregations, grants, and program resources.

Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program

Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has served as a public witness of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Each ministry context is unique, and ReconcilingWorks continues to expand tools, training, and accompaniment to support communities in living into this work authentically and sustainably.

New & Expanded Resources (Since October 2025)

Community Care Resources

ReconcilingWorks launched a Community Care resource hub to equip individuals and congregations with practical, faith-rooted tools for navigating care, resilience, and mutual support in challenging times.
Resources include:

• Devotional journal materials
• Community care worksheets and prompts
• Tools for loving neighbors through action and reflection

Relocation & Safety Preparation Support

In response to the evolving social and legislative landscape impacting LGBTQIA+ people, ReconcilingWorks has developed resources in partnership with Bishops Boss, Penman, and Simmon to support rostered leaders and families discerning relocation for safety and wellbeing.

These tools help individuals and communities:

• Prepare for conversations with synod leadership
• Identify needs and support systems
• Navigate transitions with care and clarity

This work reflects a growing need for pastoral, practical, and systemic support within the life of the church.

By the Numbers (Spring 2026)

• Nearly 1,200 Reconciling in Christ partners, representing approximately 14% of the ELCA
• Nearly 300 congregations actively in discernment toward becoming RIC
• Continued growth in engagement through trainings, cohorts, and resource utilization

What We’re Learning

• Lasting transformation happens when relationships, education, and public commitments align
• Lay leadership is essential for sustained cultural change within congregations
• Communities are seeking practical tools for care, safety, and advocacy in real time
• Synod and churchwide partnership remain critical to scaling this work

How the Church Council Can Support

1. Center LGBTQIA+ inclusion as core to the church’s identity and witness
   Publicly affirm and integrate this work across churchwide communications and initiatives
2. Amplify new resources for community care and safety
   Share and normalize the use of Community Care and Relocation Preparation resources
3. Strengthen synod-level support systems
   Encourage synods to develop clear processes for accompaniment, especially in times of crisis or transition

ReconcilingWorks remains deeply committed to walking alongside this church as it continues to grow into a more just, inclusive, and loving body.

Advisory Member Contact: ReconcilingWorks — Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director
Email: mailto:aubreyt@reconcilingworks.org | Web: reconcilingworks.org
Social: @ReconcilingWorks

ELCA Church Council Report — October 27, 2025

Who We Are

Since 1974, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community.

ReconcilingWorks accompanies congregations, synods, and leaders across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) to deepen welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy of LGBTQIA+ people and live into the church’s commitments to antiracism and social justice. ReconcilingWorks is an independent non-profit organization funded by the generosity of individuals, faith communities, grants, and from curated resources and trainings. ReconcilingWorks does not receive funding from any Lutheran denomination.

Reconciling in Christ Program 

Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has been a public way for faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church.

In 2021, the ReconcilingWorks staff launched the newly expanded Reconciling in Christ (RIC) partner commitments: 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 to support the national program.

The RIC Program is made up of congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations.

Every ministry setting begins this journey from its own unique context, and ReconcilingWorks is here to help you create an authentic welcome journey that is customized to your community.

Four RIC Partner Public Commitments (updated 2021)

To be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, faith communities will:

• Clearly 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 a Welcome Statement. Anything in bold and quotations above must be included in your RIC Partner Welcome Statement to meet ReconcilingWorks commitments. If your faith community has its own statement of racial equity or commitment to anti-racism, be it in public community documents or social statements, polities such as by-laws or constitutions, or in its Mission, Vision, or Value statements, this can also satisfy this RIC Partner commitment.  A copy of this additional statement will need to be shared with ReconcilingWorks.
• Be open to calling LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC (Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color) Rostered Leaders. This commitment extends to all areas of leadership within the life of your community.
• Allow sanctuary/community space to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings. If a faith community is looking for resources for wedding or blessing services to be more inclusive, see the ELCA’s Marriage Resource or ReconcilingWorks Worship, Liturgy, & Scripture
• Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program. A meaningful annual contribution is determined by each faith community, its budget, and the understanding that your generosity funds the RIC Program. Meaningful contributions vary for each RIC partner.

By the Numbers (as of Oct 27, 2025)

• RIC Partners: 1,146 active Reconciling in Christ (RIC) partners across the ELCA.
• On the Journey of Discernment: 295 congregations/ministries formally engaged in the RIC discernment process to become RIC.
• New This Year: 63 communities approved as RIC YTD.

We’re Learning

• Sustained change happens when education + policy + practice moves together.
• Congregations benefit from cohort learning and clear public commitments.
• Synod leadership engagement accelerates progress across regions.

How the Church Council Can Support

1. Champion RIC visibility in communications and events.
2. Invite synods/congregations into discernment and trainings.
3. Resource regional cohorts and translation/Accessibility updates for materials.
4. Celebrate RIC milestones and share stories ELCA wide.

Advisory Member Contact: ReconcilingWorks — Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director
Email: mailto:aubreyt@reconcilingworks.org | Web: reconcilingworks.org
Social: @ReconcilingWorks