We are a

Reconciling Church

Hollywood Lutheran Church is one of about 400 Lutheran churches in the United States and Canada, and among several thousand Christian churches, which openly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

We are members of the Reconciling in Christ program of Lutherans Concerned/North America, which continues to identify and cultivate welcoming relationships for congregations with courage and commitment to the LGBT community.

We have adopted a public "Affirmation of Welcome" that says what we believe and therefore how we act as a community:

Affirmation of Welcome to GLBT People

As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends also to those whose affectional orientation is toward a person of the same gender.

Because gay and lesbian persons are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

• that gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth which comes from being unique individuals created by God;
• that gay and lesbian people are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making the same affirmation that all other people make; and
• that as members of this congregation, gay and lesbian people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation.

WELCOME!

— Adopted by vote of the Congregation on the Day of Pentecost 1999