Welcome
Calvary is committed to fostering a diverse community, one where all can receive and share God's love.
This means everyone,
including you!
Calvary welcomes...
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​people of varying sexual orientations, gender identities,
and gender expressions;​ -
all races, ethnicities, cultures, citizenship, and immigration statuses;
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any physical, mental, and emotional abilities;
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any shape, size, and age;
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anyone struggling with addition or on a recovery journey;
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and whatever your marital status, family structure, political affiliation,
faith tradition, education level, economic status, employment, or talents!​
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Regardless of who you are, there is always a place for you here.
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As a community of faith, we encourage and provide
opportunities for one another to learn and grow together,
so that the values of justice, racial equity, and accessibility
continue to expand and embrace all people.
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Join us in answering God's call
to be a more welcoming and nurturing church!
Reconciling in Christ
Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has been a public way for faith communities to advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church.
We at Calvary Lutheran Church are proud to be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation. Becoming a partner in this holy ministry of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy is both a joy and a commitment we embrace fully.
What does “reconciling” mean?
Reconcile: to restore friendly relations. For too long, the Church has not been a place of welcome for all people. Oftentimes, the Church has (at best) tolerated the presence of those deemed “different,” while not necessarily affirming their identities as God given and, at worst, outright condemned those of different sexualities or gender identities.
To be reconciled means to have done the work of unlearning theology handed down that harms others, and to learn how the holy scripture testifies to a God who loves and creates all people in splendid diversity.
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What are the four commitments of RIC?
1. Clearly state a welcome to all people with a statement that meets certain criteria.
2. Be open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color pastor or deacon.
3. Allow the congregation’s worship space to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings.
4. Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.
These commitments are based on the standards from ReconcilingWorks, the organization that leads the RIC movement. Read more here!
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Calvary's RIC Journey
In May 2023, Calvary’s Congregational Council voted to enter the Reconciling in Christ process. This marks an intentional step toward deeper inclusion, learning, and advocacy within our faith community. One of the key steps on this journey is creating a public Welcome Statement, a declaration of our commitment to radical hospitality for all.
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Core Team Members
To guide this work, a Core Team was formed to lead efforts on educating our community about the importance of this commitment and developing a meaningful Welcome Statement.
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Synodical Deacon Tanya Lee Behnke
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Daisy Bushman
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Bill Bushman
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Megan Conklin
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Tom Dyer
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Synodical Deacon Bob Lewis
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RIC Timeline
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📌 Spring 2023
Calvary’s Council votes to begin the RIC journey.
📌 Summer 2023
The Core Team is formed.
📌 Fall 2023
Team hosts congregational listening sessions and begins drafting the Welcome Statement.
📌 Winter 2024
Draft Welcome Statement is shared with the community for feedback.
📌 Spring 2025
Final Welcome Statement is approved by the congregation.
📌 Summer 2025
Application is submitted and we are officially designated as a Reconciling in Christ congregation!
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Explore and Educate
Explore a thoughtfully selected collection of books, videos, and more to inspire and educate.​
Check out some of our favorite resources, updated regularly to keep you informed.
Dive in anytime to learn, reflect, and grow with us!
Calvary's Curated Picks
God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines
Lutherans take scripture seriously. God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines, an openly gay author, helps our community thoughtfully explore Bible verses often used to condemn LGBTQIA+ people. Struggling to reconcile his own faith and identity, Vines researched what the Bible actually says (and doesn’t say) about same-sex relationships, guiding a compassionate and inclusive understanding of what really defines love and inclusion.
Clunky Questions Video Series
ReconcilingWorks’ humorous series Clunky Questions, which tackles common and downright awkward questions about the LGBTQIA+ community. Questions like this encourage open dialogue, and helps us open their hearts and minds to all people who are created in the image of God.​
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Watch all seasons here.
GayChurch.Org
Looking for a place to worship? Calvary is proud to be listed on the largest affirming church directory in the world!
Gaychurch.org is an online resource for people to locate and visit welcoming Christian churches all over the globe. The list includes congregations that meet on a regular basis in a physical location for worship, prayer, service and fellowship.
Annual Pride
The church has various commemorations throughout the year, and an annual worship commemorating Pride is an important way for us to publicly name and claim our congregation's welcome for all people. We light candles, sing hymns of love, and pray that the church's doors would widen for all people. ReconcilingWorks publishes worship resources for this occasion annually written by members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The icon (image) on the altar is by artist Kelly Latimore and depicts the Holy Trinity as three women of color gathered around a table draped with a Pride flag.
