ReconcilingWorks

Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community:
First Lutheran Church (Ellicott City, MD).

Learn more about First Lutheran Church at https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric-first-lc-ellicott-city-md/

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Congratulations Bishop-elect, Rev. Erik Christensen! Prayers for you and the Metro Chicago Synod.

Register for the FREE series today: https://bit.ly/equipwebinars

ELCA Racial Justice Ministries presents a 5-part webinar series on "Equipping the Church to Dismantle White Supremacy."

Thanks to a Strategy for Authentic Diversity grant, the series will highlight existing ELCA resources that encourage, equip, and support congregations and synods in the essential work of dismantling white supremacy. These webinars will elevate voices from across the church who are actively engaging this work and offer both practical and theological grounding.

Register for the FREE series today: https://bit.ly/equipwebinars

Celebrating April RIC Anniversaries

ReconcilingWorks extends deep gratitude and joy for our partnerships through the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program.

Beginning in 1983, the holy work of this ministry now represents 13% of ELCA and 7% of ELCIC congregations, synods, and ministries.

We want to celebrate all RIC Partners celebrating an April Anniversary of becoming an RIC Partner. Below is a partial list of this month's RIC Anniversaries throughout the United States and Canada. Watch for more RIC Anniversaries posted each Monday.

https://www.reconcilingworks.org/april-ric-anniversaries-april-27/

We’re excited to share that Marge, former Board Chair of ReconcilingWorks, will be part of the B+ Well Conference!

Hosted by the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force, the B+ Well Conference is a vibrant, community-centered day focused on wellness, connection, and celebration for bisexual, pansexual, fluid, and non-monosexual people—and their allies.

This year’s gathering (May 9, 2026) brings together a powerful lineup of speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities for reflection and growth. Attendees can expect a full day of learning, healing, and connection, including workshops on identity, relationships, creativity, and mental health, along with a resource fair and time to build community.

🌈 Margaret Charmoli, Ph.D. — Keynote She’s been fighting for bi+ rights since before most of us had the words for it. 💜 Dr. Marge Charmoli has spent 35+ years educating communities on bisexuality, authoring landmark human rights protections, and creating bi+ media that’s now archived in a major university collection. She’s living proof that bi+ legacy is real, powerful, and worth celebrating. Hear her story at B+ Well 2026 — our 3rd annual wellness conference for the bisexual, pansexual & fluid community. 📅 May 9 | Long Beach City College | In-person & virtual tickets available 🔗 Link in bio

Help ReconcilingWorks welcome the newest Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community:
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (Plymouth, MN).

Learn more about Mount Olivet Lutheran Church at https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric-mt-olivet-lc-plymouth-mn/

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"At times like these, we are reminded that we are one body in Christ — if one part suffers, we all suffer.



As people of faith, we are called to:

Pray with and for our beloved transgender siblings that all might be able to live life abundant.
Advocate for policies that protect human dignity and oppose discrimination.
Act by learning, showing up and standing in solidarity.


I invite you to engage ELCA resources such as:

Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action
ELCA social messages on “Gender-based Violence” and “Human Rights”
Reconciling Works and other LGBTQIA+ affirming ministry partners


May we continue to live out our faith through love, justice and accompaniment."

"Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility — a time dedicated to celebrating the lives, gifts and contributions of transgender people, while also recognizing their ongoing struggle for safety, dignity and justice.

In the ELCA social statement Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action, we affirm our belief that “God’s intention revealed through the Scriptures is that all people have life abundantly and flourish” (page 2). Today reminds us of our call to love, affirm and support one another — not just today, but every day as an expression of our faith."

Read Presiding Bishop Curry's pastoral message for Transgender Day of Visibility through the link in the comments below.

ReconcilingWorks is committed to advocating for the liberation and flourishing of beloved transgender siblings.

"On Tuesday, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals went a step further in the ongoing attacks on gender-affirming care for transgender individuals in this country.

While more than a dozen U.S. states currently prohibit or limit Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care, the 4th Circuit became the first federal appeals court to enforce this type of law, according to a report by Reuters. The decision follows last year’s Supreme Court ruling in the United States v. Skrmetti case, which rejected a challenge to a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming treatment for minors."

U.S. court allows state bans on gender-affirming care for adults in unprecedented ruling While bans on trans youth’s care have been numerous in recent years, this is the first to restrict care for transgender adults.

Bishop Donna Simon has written to the Kansas Legislature following the passage and subsequent implementation of SB 244.
Bishop's letter -https://ed9008a3-cfbc-4101-8a5c-c60fb26a7993.usrfiles.com/ugd/ed9008_ddb4177372054d3ca395183d0c165a2c.pdf

SB 244 -https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/sb244_enrolled.pdf

“They’re still taking people,” says Finke. “My constituents, our communities, our neighbors are still in hiding, and the story is really becoming that people aren’t accessing healthcare now for 2 months. People aren’t paying their rent… The long-term effects of having people being in hiding, unable to care for their families, unable to receive therapy, go to the doctor, take your children to the doctor, the impacts of that are going to be generational.”

Minneapolis is still aching. Trans state Rep. Leigh Finke says America must not look away. - LGBTQ Nation "People have no idea what Minnesotans are made of," she said, though she acknowledged that at this point, maybe folks are starting to understand.