Tel: 540-951-1000
Tel: 540-951-1000
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.
The following statement was written and adopted by Luther Memorial Lutheran Church
in 2003, and updated in 2021:
"To you who are reading this, we thank you. In 2003 we chose to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation. At that time, we “voiced our concern and caring for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people.” Now in 2021 we are expanding our commitment to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expression and adding a commitment to racial equity for all people.
In creating our beautiful world, God provided us with great natural diversity. Although many of us find it easy to appreciate diversity in such things as land forms and vegetation, we stumble when we try to appreciate differences in other people – differences such as sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and skin color. We know that God wants us to appreciate and love our neighbor, but how shall we do that? We are a community committed to the work of bringing racial equity and justice for all of God’s beloveds. It has been said that we more easily come to love others when we listen to their stories and share ours with them. As we do this, we find commonalities – areas in which we have both experienced joys, sorrows, achievements, failures, and hurt. When we are open with each other in this way, we grow in our understanding of ourselves and in our understanding of others. Relationships can form that will bring us closer to each other and to God, as we come to share comfort, love and peace with each other. Is this something that you might like to do? If so, please join us as we travel this path."
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. Luther Memorial Lutheran Church is proud to be a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 2003 - find out more here.
Our next gathering of the “Rainbow Connection” ministry will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 5, 2022 at 4 pm. The get-together will take place in the Fellowship Hall at the church, located at 600 Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg. Rainbow Connection gatherings are intended to be a safe space for LGBTQIA+ persons and allies to gather, socialize, network, and share their concerns. This intergenerational group is open to anyone in the Blacksburg area. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome, and students and faculty from Virginia Tech are encouraged to participate.
Luther Memorial will have a booth at the 30th Roanoke Pride Festival being held Sunday, May 1st during the Roanoke Pride weekend. The booth will be manned from 11 am - 6 pm and will have information on the church and our Rainbow Connection ministry. Visit the Roanoke Pride Facebook page to find out more about all the scheduled events and performers.
Thanks to Dr. Bing, Director, LGBTQ+ Resource Center in the Office for Inclusion and Diversity (OID) at Virginia Tech, for this comprehensive list of resources for the LBGTQ community. Included are state resources, LGBTQ+ Welcoming Religious Centers, LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses, LGBTQ+ Friendly Doctors and Hospitals, LGBTQ+ Organizations, and LGBTQ+ Friendly Establishments.
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