Imagine Becoming a Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Panel Discussion facilitated by Pastor Erick Hill with David Magnuson, Pastor Tobi White, and Pastor Jan Petersen
Location: Ruby 3 (Saturday – 2:15 PM or 4:15 PM)
Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has been a public way for faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church. The RIC Program comprises congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations.
Do you have questions about becoming a Reconciling in Christ Congregation? Do you wonder if it’s right for your congregation? Join this panel discussion to hear about their experiences and to learn about the steps of becoming RIC, including the discernment process. What are the starting steps? What is it like to be RIC years later? How did it change the church to become RIC? Ask your questions from those who have been through the process and are RIC congregations.
Presenters:
David Magnuson is a member of Holy Cross Lutheran in Omaha and was part of the RIC core team at Holy Cross, and serves on the synod’s LGBTQIA+ affirming team.
Pastor Tobi White serves as pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln. OSLC is currently an RIC congregation and has been since their quarterly congregational meeting on November 19, 2023. Their first official celebration of that decision was on January 7, 2024, when they blessed Pastor Tobi’s daughter with her new name. Pastor Tobi has been at OSLC for over 15 years and began the RIC process in the fall of 2019. Pastor Tobi was part of the Inclusivity Team from the beginning and continues to be on that team at OSLC.
Pastor Jan Petersen serves as pastor at Augustana Lutheran and Saint Matthew’s Lutheran, both of which are RIC congregations in Omaha. She has attended several RIC trainings and is a member of the synods LGBTQIA+ affirming team.
Pastor Erick Hill is a member of the synod’s LGBTIA affirming team.