We are a Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregation

About Reconciling in Christ and Luther Memorial Lutheran Church

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."

LGBTQIA+ Justice

Reconciling in Christ

All Places Together Podcast - Transforming Affirmation

As you may be aware, the Virginia governor is making recommendations for the Virginia school boards that are exceedingly harmful to trans and non-binary students. This past Sunday, the All Places Together podcast featured an interview with Ashley Saunders (Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg) who is a mom to a trans son and community organizer You can listen to it by clicking the button below or anywhere you get podcasts. All Places Together, Episode 70, Transforming Affirmation.

Transforming Affirmation Podcast

Rainbow Connection Ministry

All Places Together Podcast - Transforming Affirmation

Rainbow Connection Ministry

Our next gathering of the “Rainbow Connection” ministry will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 8, 2023 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.

The Well Campus Ministry

Local and New River Valley LGBTQ Resources

Rainbow Connection Ministry

The Well Campus Ministry achieved Reconciling in Christ status in 2021. As a community, we are committed to providing a safe and nourishing space for all of God’s people, embracing Virginia Tech students

from every walk of life, background, gender,

sexuality, race, ability and identity.

Local and New River Valley LGBTQ Resources

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.

Local and New River Valley LGBTQ Resources