Celebrating Pride Month: A Welcoming Space for All

As June unfolds and we celebrate Pride Month, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church reaffirms its commitment to being an LGBTQIA+ ally, rooted in the radical love and inclusivity of God.

St. Stephen's at Lot 323 Pride Night

At St. Stephen’s, we are proud to be a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community, a part of the wider ReconcilingWorks movement. This means we strive to live out the Gospel’s call to welcome and affirm all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We recognize that the diversity of human identity is a reflection of God’s boundless creativity and love.

Reconciling in Christ logo

The words of our ReconcilingWorks statement speak to our shared conviction:

“We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or relationship status… We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us.”

This Pride Month, we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and stand in solidarity with all who have been marginalized or excluded. We recommit ourselves to working for racial equity and equity for LGBTQIA+ persons, persons with disabilities, and others who have historically been pushed to the margins.

At St. Stephen’s, our unity is in Christ. We believe that the wideness of God’s mercy is for everyone, and our doors are open to all who seek God’s love and grace. As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, we strive to be a safe, affirming space where everyone can bring their whole selves to worship, to ministry, and to community.

Happy Pride Month from all of us at St. Stephen’s! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🩵🩷🤍