Living Our Welcome To Love, To Invite, To Serve
We represented St Stephen’s Lutheran Church at Delaware Pride 2023 in Dover on June 10. We encountered profound joy at our presence and those of other congregations from around the region. Many Pride participants engaged with us and were encouraged that we are Reconciling in Christ. We also heard from several people of the hurt they had experienced as young people from their birth families, and the churches they attended as children. I recall one man whose pain was very palpable as he described being asked to never return once he confided in his pastor.
God’s love is for everyone, and I am very grateful for the welcoming church family we have here at St Stephen’s Lutheran Church. When we examine our tagline, To Love, To Invite, To Serve it speaks to who we are today as a congregation, and to our future. We are called to take care of each other and to break down the walls and take care of those in our community as well.
Some questions to ponder:
Who are our neighbors?
How do we know they feel welcome?
What actions can we take to strengthen our relationship with our neighbors?
We each bring valuable skills, knowledge, life experiences, but most importantly we are good enough just as we are. We believe that God’s Gospel and grace is a gift for everyone, shared unconditionally. “In this way, we live into the truth written in Ephesians (2:14)—that Christ breaks down the dividing walls between us and makes us one.” St Stephen’s Lutheran Church Welcome Statement
Interested in learning more? https://www.reconcilingworks.org/resources/worship/
Peace,
Michael
