Finding a Faith Home for the People We Love

Written By Brianna Iverson

Our family moved back to the La Crosse area in early 2023. We had been living out of state and attending a Reconciling in Christ congregation which welcomed myself and my husband, both not from ELCA backgrounds, and our two very small children into the church when others had turned us away. The congregation was intentional about welcoming all human beings regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or demographic. 

We knew when we began looking for a church in our new home we wanted a church that was being intentional about calling themselves a Reconciling in Christ church AND being intentional about actually doing the work. It was also important to us that the congregation have at least one female pastor, varied age demographics, and treat our children (ages 1 and 3 at the time) as full human beings and welcome them for the entirety of the church experience. 

From the moment we first visited English Lutheran, it was clear that this congregation actively lives out its "Reconciling in Christ" mission. We immediately felt a profound sense of safety and belonging.

Shortly after we decided to join the church, my brother came out to us. I like to believe that his decision was supported, in part, by the value our family places on being part of a community—especially a church home—that welcomes everyone we love. Although he lives out of town, he has joined us for Christmas services at English Lutheran for the past two years. As the godfather to our children, he is deeply grateful to feel safe and welcome within a faith community once again.

Without having found a Reconciling in Christ church community, it is very possible our family would not have a church community to call home, and we are so grateful that is not the case. 

— A member of English Lutheran Church

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Brianna Iverson
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