First Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ Congregation. As such, we are a community of people of God and are called to minister to and with our neighbors. We are challenged and called by the Gospel to be agents of healing and change within our society, breaking down barriers and restoring relationships. Often restoration and reconciliation are needed between the Christian church and people of faith who have become marginalized by misinterpretations, misunderstandings and even deliberate distortions of the Holy Scriptures.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliations extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

• that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
• that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making a common, public affirmation of faith; and
• that as members of this congregation, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation.

We are called to worship, to be faithful disciples of Christ, to live out the Gospel message of grace, and to share in the life of this community of Christians as fully as we are able during our sojourn together.