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November 9 Greetings

“We are an inclusive faith community that seeks to live the Word and Way of Christ's unconditional love. This means that, like Christ, we believe each person is a beloved child of God regardless of shape, size, economic status, religious background, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, or anything else that could divide us. We give thanks to God for the unique identities with which we are created, and have found here a fellowship of believers that accepts us just as we are.”

Based on some conversations I’ve been having in our local Quad City community, and taking into hand our church’s welcoming statement above and our stance as a Reconciling church, I wanted to take a stab at continuing our education in that direction by exposing us to some resources. Pastor Tricia and I are intentionally studying more materials and ministries as we look into how we can further introduce and engage our community as a Reconciling congregation.

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

As students of Life, we are called to continually grow, be informed, stretch ourselves and reach out to others with the unconditional love of God in Christ Jesus. As we move forward together as an ELCA church into 2022, let’s begin by expanding our understanding of terms:


  • The LGBTQIA acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual. We of course will need to begin to seek more definitions that go with this acronym, but for now let’s simply start with becoming familiar with these words.


The next step on this journey of new terms is to explore the concept of fluid pronouns:


  • Pronouns are another important way to extend care and hospitality to the LGBTQIA+ community. Here are some pronouns people use: She/her/hers, He/him/his, They/them/theirs, and Ze/Zir/Zirs. Someone’s gender identity does not always match their gender expression. If you’re unsure and need to know someone’s pronouns, just ask, “What pronouns do you prefer?”

We need not completely understand or demand to know the story behind people’s journeys in this realm. But as followers of Christ, we are called to love humanity with God’s hospitality, mercy and grace. This video shares an intimate story of a youngster who is already on this complex journey.

If you are interested in diving into some more information on this topic, please go to the following website: www.Reconcilingworks.org, an independent, Lutheran, membership-supported organization. There are some incredible resources there that we may be using as a congregation in the near future!



For now, let us be in prayer, listening for how the Spirit will move in us and around us, as we seek to intentionally dive further into loving people who are often rejected, abused and even in real danger in our society. Amen.

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ReconcilingWorks

Supporters of LGBTQIA+ people and families are not the minority in our Lutheran church, but are the growing majority. ReconcilingWorks is committed to this work, but we cannot do it without the support of partners like you. Become a member

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Your attitude must be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Christ, though in the image of God, didn’t deem equality with God something to be clung to –  but instead became completely empty and took on the image of oppressed humankind: born into the human condition, found in the likeness of a human being. Jesus was thus humbled…

Philippians 2:5-8 (The Inclusive Bible)

Peace in Christ,

Pr Adam

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley, AZ

Emmanuel Lutheran Church


7763 E. Long Look Dr.

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

PH (928) 772-4135

FX (928) 759-3541



website: emmanuellutheranpv.org

email: emmanuelelca@gmail.com

submissions: ELCPVnews@gmail.com


Office Hours

Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

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