Reconciling in Christ Celebration - April 3, 2022

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

Please take note: our RIC Celebration Sunday has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 3! It has been over a year since Holy Trinity voted overwhelmingly to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) church. [1] It is time for a proper celebration of our significant decision to be a welcoming congregation. And not just to say it, but to be it – to LBGTQ+ folks as well all who are marginalized, all who are seeking, all who are looking for a place of warmth and sharing and belonging.

Even now we would not be comfortable having a huge blowout celebration. But it’s time to recognize this milestone in our congregation’s life, no matter how modest, so ...

You are invited to Holy Trinity’s RIC Celebration on Sunday, April 3! The celebration service is at 9:30 a.m. and will include language and music signifying our RIC commitment, the dedication of a new RIC stole for our pastors and special guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Bill Barter, Associate to the Bishop of the New England Synod. After a brief refreshment break, we’ll continue our celebration with an exclusive event - a concert by the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus. You may participate in-person or online.

As a tangible sign of our RIC commitment, there continue to be opportunities to make donations in these ways:
Monetary donations can be made in a special envelope (you received one in January and more will be provided on April 3). These donations will be equally split between Seacoast Outright, a support organization of LBGTQ+ youth, and Ascentria Care Alliance’s Afghan Resettlement Program in New Hampshire. Please be generous! [2] Gifts-in-kind for the NH Afghan Resettlement Program will also be collected on and before April 3. They may be placed in/under/around the "Afghan Resettlement / Ascentria" box in the Gathering Area. The new and updated specific needs are:

  • Nuts + Dried fruit + Canned beans + Rice + Sugar + Boxes of black and green tea + Electric tea kettles + Pots

  • Pans + Can openers + Kitchen utensils + Razors + Lamps + Small Tables + Gift cards to Walmart, Target and Market Basket

    NOTE: Ascentria no longer needs clothes and footwear for any age or gender Thank you for joining our Church’s RIC Celebration!

In Christ’s Grace, Peace and Justice, The Reconciling in Christ Team Steven Bauer, Cristina Dolcino, Matt Nania, Glenn Oswald & Jo Whiting

[1] Since 1983, the Reconcilition in Christ (RIC) program of Reconciling Works (an ELCA affiliated agency) has been a public way for Lutheran faith communities to name, celebrate and advocate for marginalized people (including those of all sexual orientations, identities and expressions) in all activities of their communities. RIC designees are: congregations (including eight in NH); synods (the New England Synod is one); colleges; seminaries; outdoor ministries (Calumet is one); and other Lutheran organizations. As a part of Holy Trinity’s journey to become RIC, we spent a year of studying, questioning and prayer before voting to adopt our RIC Welcome Statement.

[2] Please make monetary donations directly to Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. They may be placed in the offering basket in a separate envelope. Holy Trinity Church, Seacoast Outright and Ascentria Care Alliance are 50l(c)(3) organizations. ✸ A unique $1,000.00 matching gift was made in honor of Holy Trinity’s RIC status by The Grouleau Group at Thrivent, a financial advisor agency of Thrivent
Financial. The Grouleau Group is based in Freedom, New Hampshire.

[3] Please bring gifts-in-kind to Holy Trinity Church on or before April 3, 2022 (the church office entrance is open 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday). They may be placed in the "Afghan Resettlement / Ascentria" box in the Gathering Area.