Reconciling In Christ Process
UpdatesThe RIC Core Team wants to hear from you.
Your thoughts, cares and concerns are key ingredients to this process. The journey is rooted in curiosity and deep listening. Over the past year, members of this team have engaged in more than 100 one-to-one conversations with the Bethlehem community. Some of the key themes and patterns that arose from these conversations are named in the FAQ section below. While the next stage of this process is more public facing and collective, your personal experience or individual questions are welcome all along the way. Email [email protected] to schedule time with a member of the team.
Bethlehem’s values include radical hospitality.
In an effort to live into this shared value, we’ve started exploring what it means to become a Reconciling In Christ (RIC) congregation. We don’t have to create a unique process or figure this out all by ourselves. Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation has been supporting congregations through the RIC process for more than 40 years. Together we’ll explore the importance of a safe, welcoming, and inclusive culture for all people, including the LGBTQIA2S+ community and those the church has historically harmed or excluded.
FAQs:
- A program that encourages and supports congregations in embracing the diversity of God’s creation and affirming the inclusion of all people.
- A process for clearly welcoming people of all races, ethnicities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and economic statuses.
- It can help us to better reflect the love and diversity of God.
- It works to ensure that all individuals feel welcomed, accepted and affirmed.
- It seeks to address and repair harm and exclusion on behalf of the church.
- It offers opportunities for our whole community to be reconciled and grow.
This community in particular has experienced unique harm from the church. Scripture verses have been pulled out of their biblical context and weaponized against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and two-spirit people. Christianity has allowed, both actively and passively, LGBTQIA2S+ people to be excluded and degraded so that welcome and safety are not always implied or assumed. By extending a clear and specific welcome to this community, we are practicing repair and reconciliation in our own community and on behalf of the whole church.
Reconciling Works has been supporting congregations through the RIC process for over 40 years. Their tools and resources can help us notice our strengths and growing edges from more perspectives than just our own. By inviting their expertise and being willing to learn:
- Our capacity for radical hospitality can expand.
- Our curious and humble posture builds trust with those we seek to welcome well.
- Our policies and practices can develop with our learning.
Reconciling Works relies on financial support from congregations. Instead of funding it through the operating, outreach or benevolence budgets, many congregations celebrate Reconciling In Christ Sunday annually and take a special offering to send to Reconciling Works. It’s another way this process is reconciling people, by inviting congregations that have been through the process to support this resource for others just getting started.
Tuesday Email Article on February 10, 2026 – Latest News about Reconciling In Christ at Bethlehem (extended)
Reconciling In Christ (RIC) is a journey that Bethlehem has been on for over one year, with the vision to live out our value of Radical Hospitality, with an intentional welcome to the LGBTQIA2S+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, plus in recognition of all other sexual orientations and gender identities).
Many have asked why make this welcome explicit to the LGBTQIA2S+ community rather than saying, “All are welcome.” The reason is because persons in this community have historically been excluded, hurt and intentionally made to feel unwelcome by the Church. In order to repair that harm, and to ensure that persons from this community feel the welcome we intend to give, we aim to explore all of the ways we can live this out in our church. We aim to discern together what things we can do to be most radically hospitable and welcoming so our siblings in Christ will know and feel our welcome.
The RIC Core Team was formed in November 2024. We completed our initial training and an assessment about the RIC process and our unique situation at Bethlehem.
The first major task of the RIC Core Team was to listen to the congregation. We engaged in 1:1 conversations at both the Minneapolis and Minnetonka campuses, as well as through an informational session with Deacon David Behring from Reconciling Works and the congregation on October 5, 2025.
We appreciate your willingness, your honesty, and your time to share your cares and concerns about Bethlehem! We have heard you, and we continue to consider and utilize all of your thoughts in our ongoing journey. Thank you!
We now are providing congregation-wide education and discussion opportunities, which many from Bethlehem requested. Last month, we met with Bethlehem youth to discuss the RIC process and hear their perspective. This month, we are hosting a Bible study led by Rev. Emmy Kegler about the “clobber verses” in Scripture, often used to condemn LGBTQIA2S+ persons. This spring, we will begin to draft a welcome statement that is intentionally welcoming to LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized communities.
To learn more about the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the Church, we encourage individuals, small groups and book clubs to read any of the following books: “One Coin Found,” by Emmy Kegler; “Transforming,” by Austin Hartke; and “Does Jesus Really Love Me?” by Jeff Chu.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. We are always happy to hear from you: [email protected]
RIC Core Team: Tricia Hall and Regina Johnson, co-chairs; Gail Conroy, Tom Gerhard, Sara Kleckner, Heidi Peterson, Becca Totzke, Diane Waarvik
Tuesday Email Article on January 20, 2026 – Clobber Verses: Reclaiming Scripture from Misuse
Join Rev. Emmy Kegler (author, speaker, podcaster, theologian, and pastor) for a two-part Bible study online via Zoom on Thursdays, Feb 5 & 12 at 7:30–8:30 pm that takes a look at the verses most commonly pulled out of their biblical context to condemn homosexuality and the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
We’ll learn how these verses have been used by Christians to “clobber” marginalized people, as well as how a robust study of these verses can help us interrupt the harmful ways they are misused in the name of Jesus.
Hosted by the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Core Team, these Bible study sessions will invite our historical, literary and cultural curiosity for these verses and their more modern translations.
Together, we’ll notice how tempting it can be to choose certainty over connection to the sacred story and one another. This awareness and movement can make a way for more healing and hospitality than we thought possible. Read more and register.
October 2025 “Together” Newsletter Article – RIC Process Update and Invitation
The Reconciling In Christ (RIC) process, and any process of communal self-reflection, is not easy. The RIC Team would like to thank you for your involvement thus far. We are continuing one-on-one conversations with congregants and staff members and are enjoying hearing from many of you. Questions that are frequently asked in our ongoing one-on-one interviews are, “Why do we need to give attention to one specific group?” and, “Why can’t we just say that all are welcome?”
There is a long history of discrimination, pain and shame for many in the LGBTQIA2S+ community in relation to the church. Claiming that all are welcome when “all” has historically included only a very specific set of demographics can feel insincere and untrustworthy. It is important to acknowledge the groups and individuals the Christian church has historically harmed, and to create a safe place where all are welcomed at the table—as siblings in Christ, each made in God’s image.
This path on our RIC journey will aid in building a new road, from an undefined welcome, to one that is clearer and holds more weight. It takes vulnerability to open up and investigate how we welcome people into our community. It requires an open conversation. It is an important step as we seek to live out our mission at Bethlehem of radical hospitality for all. It is all in the hope that Bethlehem will be able to set a table and name those we welcome to it. Each step on our journey gets us closer to drafting a new welcome statement that is inclusive to all.
Along with the RIC Team’s continued one-on-one conversations, we are excited to begin to share opportunities for group conversations, learning and questions.
We invite you to gather with us:
Bethlehem’s Reconciling In Christ Journey
(MPLS) Sunday, Oct 5, 6:00 pm (following the Evensong worship service)
An informal, educational session with the RIC Team and Deacon David Behling, program coordinator at ReconcilingWorks. We will share a simple dinner and casual conversation around tables, focusing on the RIC process and questions from the congregation. Please come with any questions you may have! We will have time to write questions anonymously and present them to the RIC team and to Deacon David to be addressed.
David Behling (he/they) serves as program coordinator at ReconcilingWorks and is a Deacon in the ELCA. He grew up in diverse communities in Tucson, Ariz.; Yokosuka, Japan; Washington, D.C.; and Erlangen, Germany. His professional background is eclectic—spanning homemaking, writing, teaching, administration and ministry. He enjoys cooking, reading, board games and evening walks with his spouse, Karen, with whom he raised three children.
Please join us in reaching our goal of 100 one-on-one conversations and participating in educational opportunities. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one conversation, please email the RIC Team ([email protected]).
You can also learn more about the RIC process and examine the toolkit on the ReconcilingWorks website (reconcilingworks.org/RIC).
Tuesday Email Article on September 30, 2025 – Reconciling In Christ Update and Invitation
The Reconciling In Christ (RIC) process, and any process of communal self-reflection, is not easy. The RIC Team would like to thank you for your involvement thus far. We are continuing one-on-one conversations with congregants and staff members and are enjoying hearing from many of you.
Along with the RIC Team’s continued one-on-one conversations, we are excited to begin to share opportunities for group conversations, learning and questions. We invite you to gather with us for Bethlehem’s Reconciling In Christ Journey this Sunday, Oct 5, 6:00 pm (MPLS, following the Evensong worship service) for an informal, educational session with the RIC Team and Deacon David Behling, program coordinator at ReconcilingWorks.
We will share a simple dinner and casual conversation around tables, focusing on the RIC process and questions from the congregation. Please come with any questions you may have! We will have time to write questions anonymously and present them to the RIC team and to Deacon David to be addressed. Together we’ll explore the importance of a safe, welcoming, and inclusive culture for all people. Please register online so we can prepare for you.
Join us in reaching our goal of 100 one-on-one conversations and participating in educational opportunities. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one conversation, please email the RIC Team ([email protected]).
Tuesday Email Article on May 13, 2025 – Reconciling In Christ Update
One of Bethlehem’s values is radical hospitality. In an effort to live into this shared value, we’ve started exploring what it means to become a Reconciling In Christ (RIC) congregation. We don’t have to create a unique process or figure this out all by ourselves. Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation have been supporting congregations through the RIC process for more than 40 years. Together we’ll explore the importance of a safe, welcoming and inclusive culture for all people, including the LGBTQIA2S+ community and those the church has historically harmed or excluded.
The RIC Core Team wants to hear from you. Your thoughts, cares and concerns are key ingredients to this process. If you are contacted by a member of this team, please consider making time for one of these conversations. They are usually face-to-face and last about 45 minutes. If you are not contacted but would like to participate in this step of the process, please contact a member of the team or email [email protected] to schedule one.
We look forward to connecting with you and welcome your prayers for wisdom and guidance.
Team Members: Regina Johnson, co-chair; Tricia Hall, co-chair; Heidi Peterson, staff liaison; Diane Waarvik, staff liaison; Becca Totzke, Neil Kristianson, Gail Conroy and Tom Gerhard; Pastor Meta Herrick Carlson; pastoral support
February 2025 “Together” Newsletter Article – Building an Inclusive Church: The Reconciling In Christ process
A group of Bethlehem members and staff met online before the holidays to explore the possibility of becoming a Reconciling In Christ (RIC) congregation. We brought our curiosity and wonderings together with training staff from Reconciling Works on a Saturday morning to learn more about the process and about what it means to be a member of this ELCA group.
Bethlehem’s welcome statement declares that we welcome all through our doors. I think that becoming an RIC congregation supports that commitment and takes it to an even deeper level, one where we become more aware of what it means to be a welcoming congregation and more intentional as we build an inclusive church.
The welcome statement for our training opened with this statement: “Thank you for taking the time to learn more about how to deepen and expand your faith community’s journey of of inclusion, celebration and advocacy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA2S+) people and their families.”
It also encouraged us to “be mindful of other marginalized communities who also need to be seen and named by your faith community” as we explore the possibilities of becoming an RIC, referring to racial and gender justice along with physical ability, language justice and aging amongst others.
I have always been passionate about including others since I was a little girl. I also have many people in my life and the lives of those I love who are part of marginalized groups, and doing the work of becoming an RIC congregation gives me new inspiration to go through the steps to publicly acknowledge Bethlehem’s commitment to welcoming all.
The process will take time, at least a year or two, or more. It is a spiritual journey where the committee members listen deeply to members of the congregation, discern where our community lies on the spectrum of becoming an RIC congregation, and then map out our journey when we commit to the process. Along the way there will be educational and informational opportunities along with scriptural engagement for congregation members. Eventually, we will take a congregational survey to see how people are feeling about becoming a Reconciling In Christ community, followed by bringing the process to a congregational vote. Until that time, we encourage questions and conversation about what it means to be an RIC congregation. Feel free to approach anyone from the team.
It is an exciting time to explore what it truly means to welcome and embrace all who walk through our doors. To learn more about the Reconciling In Christ process, visit: www.reconcilingworks.org
RIC Core Team
Regina Johnson, co-chair
Tricia Hall, co-chair
Heidi Peterson, staff liaison
Diane Waarvik, staff liaison
Becca Totzke
Neil Kristianson
Gail Conroy
Tom Gerhard
Meta Herrick Carlson, pastoral support