Reconciling In Christ Process
UpdatesThe RIC Core Team wants to hear from you.
Your thoughts, cares and concerns are key ingredients to this process. If a member of this team contacts you, 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, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the team or email [email protected] to schedule one.
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:
We might have some answers to some questions you are asking yourself right now. Otherwise, you can reach out to our RIC core team to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting.
- 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 welcoming people of all races, ethnicities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and economic statuses.
- A commitment to making racial equity, justice and inclusivity a reality in their community and the world.
- It will help us to better reflect the love and diversity of God.
- It ensures that all individuals feel welcomed, accepted and affirmed in their faith community.
- It promotes a culture of love, understanding and compassion within the church
- RIC will help us to develop and implement inclusive policies and practices.
- It provides resources and training to help our congregation.
- It helps us learn how to be more inclusive and affirming.
- It gives us tools that will help us foster a sense of belonging and community for all members, regardless of their differences.
- Be welcoming and affirming of all people.
- Promote justice and equity.
- Grow in their understanding and appreciation of diversity.
- Be a more vibrant and inclusive community of faith.
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 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