Reconciling in Christ & LGBTQIA+ Outreach
Following Jesus, who commanded his followers, ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another,’ and believing that all persons are created in the image of God, the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA, strives to be fully inclusive for all. This synod welcomes people of every race, background, age, political affiliation, economic and social status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and mental and physical ability, while striving to enable all people to participate fully in the life and work of the church and its expressions.
Several of our congregations in south-central Wisconsin have also taken steps to be intentionally welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community. These congregations are identified as Reconciling in Christ congregations. By having a statement affirming this welcome that specifically names either, “LGBTQIA+ people” or “people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions” in their statement, these faith communities are accepted into the Reconciling in Christ partnership with ReconcilingWorks. You may click on a congregation below to learn more:
Madison Area
- Lake Edge Lutheran Church – Madison
- Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – Madison
- Trinity Lutheran Church – Madison
- St. John’s Lutheran Church – Madison
- Luther Memorial Lutheran Church – Madison
- Lutheran Campus Center at UW – Madison
- St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – Madison
- St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church – Monona
- Peace Lutheran Church – Waunakee
- Midvale Community Lutheran Church – Madison
- Advent Lutheran Church – Madison
East
West
South
One Coin Found Book Reading & Signing
“One Coin Found”
Book Reading & Signing with Rev. Emmy Kegler
You are invited to a public reading and Q&A with Rev. Emmy Kegler. Emmy is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis, the founder and editor of Queer Grace, an encyclopedia of online resources around LGBTQ life and faith (queergrace.com), and the author of the new book, One Coin Found: How God’s Love Stretches to the Margins.
One Coin Found follows Pastor Emmy’s journey. As a queer woman who grew up in the church she knows how Scripture can be used to wound and exclude – yet she also finds beauty, truth, and liberation within it. Join Emmy in her story of coming to celebrate her sexuality, her faith, and her call to ministry – her story of being found. Learn more at (emmykegler.com/one-coin-found/)
All are welcome and invited for this special community event with Pastor Emmy Kegler, including a time for a book reading, Q&A, and book signing. Books will be available for purchase. Please join us and share with friends who need to hear this inclusive message!
This event is sponsored by the Reconciling in Christ Team of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA.
OutReach Magic Festival – Madison PRIDE 2019
The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin was at this year’s OutReach Magic Festival on Sunday, August 18, 2019 fat Warner Park in Madison. The OutReach Magic Festival: A PRIDE Celebration event for 2019 celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall and the 30th Anniversary of Madison’s first pride parade.
At our synod tent we had representatives from area ELCA congregations that 
have made an intentional commitment to be welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community who engaged festival goers throughout the day.
We also invited people to write on quilt squares their hopes, dreams, prayers, and messages for, with, or to the LGBTQ+ community in the church. This quilt will continue to be a presence in the synod for the next year.
It was a great day full of deep connections, fellowship, and a chance to provide public witness and celebration of the Gospel.
