Scheduled for January 25, 2009

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, Paul Gibson, of St Paul's Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Florida, has compiled resources for your use. Resources include suggested readings, liturgy, prayers, and a hymn. 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 Development Director, Tom VandenBosch, describing the difference it has made to him that an RIC church reached out to him. I am sure that we each have people with a story like this sitting in our pews. Aren't we blessed! The second insert contains the beautiful words and music of an original song by David Lohman. Reading the words, I am sure you will know why we have chosen to include this song. 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.

Thank you for all you do for the welcome of all,

Jerry Vagts
LC/NA Grassroots Organizing Coordinator
grassroots@lcna.org