December 7, 2007

The fourth Sunday in January is RIC Sunday

Annually, the fourth Sunday in January is designated by the ecumenical welcoming community as Welcoming Sunday. On this day, you are encouraged to join other welcoming congregations from various denominations in celebrating the witness to God's love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

This year, Kate Stoeckel, our Lutheran Volunteer Corps Intern, has compiled resources for your use. All are available on our website for download and will be mailed in hard copy to all RIC settings shortly.

Resources include: Prayers for the Day; an Epiphany Litany; Petitions for Prayers of the Church; suggested hymns; an original hymn by David Lohman, "For All the Children;" and bulletin inserts. If your congregation has already scheduled other themes for that day, you may use these resources on a Sunday of your choosing.

There are two bulletin inserts which are intended to print as a double-sided document to be cut in half or printed together.

The first insert contains an announcement about RIC Sunday and an update on the RIC Program. It also includes a story by LC/NA member, Wayne Morris, describing the difference it has made to him having his church be Reconciling In Christ. We each have people with a story like this sitting in our pews.

The second insert contains the beautiful words and music of an original hymn by David Lohman. Reading the words, you will know why we have chosen to include this resource. We are blessed by so much creative talent.

RIC Sunday is a time to remind your congregation what it means to live a theology of reconciliation. Many RIC pastors are doing wonderful things to further the welcome in their congregations; many acknowledge there is much more to do. Voting to become an RIC congregation is just the beginning.

God, we gather as your people
To raise our song above,
And we dare to claim the promise of your Love…
—"For All the Children" by David Lohman