Did you know that Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is considered the most welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ members?
Formed in 1988 with the merger of three smaller Lutheran organizations including the Metropolitan New York Synod. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has three expressions: over 10,000 congregations, 65 regional synods, and the church wide organization.
As ordained ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Rev. Jared Stahler and The Rev. Nicholas Sollom have been together for 12 years, and happily married for 3 years. Both Pastors were members of the Metropolitan NY Synod upon getting married, and therefore have a unique outlook on LGBTQ unions from a clergy perspective. Memorably, their wedding was the first union between two gay pastors in the entire ELCA, and was officiated by the Bishop of the NY Synod. As a radically welcoming religious organization, this is a significant example of how the synod leads the way in both recognizing and celebrating the divine gift of diversity.
LGBTQ EQUALITY
ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
In 1991, the Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution stating that,
Today, church programs include summer camps and homeless shelters for LGBTQ youth, and pastor participation in the “It Gets Better” campaign. Both Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity have been included in their “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” Social Statement.
You can find an MNYS congregation by visiting mnys.org/findachurch .