LGBTQ Ministries
The Southwest California Synod voted to become a Reconciling in Christ synod in 1998, ten years before the denomination welcomed gay and lesbians into ordination rites.
At the time, the synod agreed*
“that gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God,
That gay and lesbian people are welcome with the members of this synod, upon maing the same affirmation of faith that all other people make; and
That as members of this syod gay and lesbian people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this synod.”
*please note this was standard language in 1988 – today our synod welcomes people of all gender and sexuality identities and expressions.
Fully one-third of the congregations in this synod are Reconciling in Christ, which means they are LGBTQ-affirming. This distinction is granted by Reconciling Works, the national organization in the Evangelical Lutheran Church supporting congregations in their welcome and celebration of the LGBTQ community. Congregations may attain Reconciling in Christ (RIC) status by changing their mission statement to reflect their ministry to LGBTQ persons. Recently Reconciling Works called for all RIC congregations to also make a commitment to anti-racism work. For more information, visit www.reconcilingworks.org.
The first openly gay bishop in the ELCA, R. Guy Erwin, was elected in this synod in 2012, and the first openly lesbian bishop in the ELCA, Brenda Bos was elected in 2021.
Our Reconciling in Christ congregations include:
All Saints Lutheran Church, Sun Valley
http://www.allsaints-sunvalley.org/American Lutheran Church, Burbank
https://www.americanlutheranburbank.orgAngelica Lutheran Church, Los Angeles (spanish language)
https://www.facebook.com/angelicalutheranchurch/Bethel Lutheran Church, Encino
https://www.bethelencino.org/Bethel Lutheran Church, Los Angeles
https://www.bchurch.usChrist Lutheran Church, Downey
https://www.facebook.com/ChristLutheranDowney/Christ Lutheran Church, Long Beach
www.christlutheranlb.comChrist the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Altadena
https://ctsaltadena.org/Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bakersfield
https://www.emmanuelbakersfield.org/Faith Lutheran Church, Canoga Park
https://faithcanogapark.wordpress.comFirst Lutheran Church, Torrance
https://www.flchurch.org/Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Long Beach
https://www.gdlclb.org/Hollywood Lutheran Church, Hollywood
https://www.hollywoodlutheranchurch.net/Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks
https://www.htlcto.org/Hope Lutheran Church, Hollywood
https://www.hopelutheranchurch.netLutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Oxnard
http://www.lcoor.org/Lutheran Church of the Master, Los Angeles
http://lutheran.churchofthemaster.org/Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Santa Monica
http://www.mtolivelutheranchurch.org/Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Long Beach
https://www.oslchurch.orgResurrection Lutheran Church, Long Beach
https://www.faithstreet.com/church/resurrection-lutheran-church-long-beach-caShepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Simi Valley
https://svlcsimi.org/Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, West Hills
https://www.sovlc.org/St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Los Angeles
https://www.standrews-wla.orgSt. Luke's Lutheran Church, Woodland Hills
https://www.stlukelutheran.comSt. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Glendale
https://www.matthewchurch.comSt. Matthew's Lutheran Church, North Hollywood
https://www.stmatthewsnoho.orgSt. Paul's Lutheran Church, Santa Monica
https://www.stpaulssm.orgTrinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manhattan Beach
https://www.trinitymb.org/Trinity Lutheran Church, Santa Barbara
http://www.telcsb.org/
