Listening. Learning. Discerning — Together.

At the 2026 Spring Gatherings, the Synod Council began introducing a question we are discerning:

Should the Grand Canyon Synod enter the process to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Synod?

Let’s begin with clarity:

  • This is not a vote.

  • This is not an argument.

  • This is the beginning of a listening process.

If the Synod Council brings a resolution forward in 2026, the Synod Assembly would enter a year-long process of discernment and education, with a vote anticipated at the 2027 Synod Assembly.

Our task now is not to decide the outcome.

Our task is to discern faithfully — together.

What Is “Reconciling in Christ”?

The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program, administered by ReconcilingWorks, is a public commitment to welcome, inclusion, and advocacy within Lutheran communities.

While historically focused on LGBTQIA+ inclusion, the framework has expanded to address intersecting systems of exclusion, including:

  • Racism and white supremacy

  • Disability and accessibility

  • Mental health stigma

  • Economic marginalization

  • Gender inequity

RIC is not a political platform.

It is not a purity test.

It is not agreement on every issue.

RIC communities commit to ongoing learning, accountability, and repair. They do not claim to have “arrived.”

What This Does Mean

  • Congregational autonomy remains intact.

  • No doctrinal change is being proposed.

  • No congregation would be required to become RIC.

The ELCA entrusts synods to take time with questions like this — thoughtfully, prayerfully, and without rushing.

What Would Discernment Look Like?

If the synod proceeds, discernment would include:

  • Teaching and information sessions

  • Congregational listening opportunities

  • Transparent communication

  • Space for questions from all perspectives

At the end of that process, the synod would vote at assembly.

Regardless of the outcome, we remain bound by baptism — not by voting on resolutions.

We Want to Hear From You

This page serves as the central hub for this discernment process.

We invite you to share your:

  • Questions

  • Concerns

  • Hopes

  • Clarifications you need

👉 Submit your response here:

airtable.com/appaOxl4rqViTK8Au/pagesPniDa8Cnjpjr/form

You may submit anonymously. If you request follow-up, synod leadership will respond.

Your voice will help shape the educational process in the coming year.

A Lutheran Word

Our tradition teaches that unity does not require uniformity.

Discernment takes patience, courage, and trust that the Holy Spirit is at work — even when we disagree.

Thank you for entering this conversation with care.