here at Zion!
You are welcome
Zion is an RIC Partner
Zion voted to join the Reconciling in Christ community on June 1st, 2025.
” Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet Minnesota is committed to expressing the holy hospitality of God and welcomes all people into the community of this congregation and to the celebration of Holy Communion.
We believe that Christ’s death and resurrection is for all people, therefore we affirm the sacredness of all people: all sexual orientations; gender identities and gender expressions (LGBTQIA2S+); races and ethnicities including Black, Brown, Indigenous, & Persons of Color (BIPOC); ages and abilities; those who struggle with addiction, physical or mental illness; socioeconomic or citizenship statuses.
We stand together in Christ, striving to reflect the expansive diversity of God’s image and creative work, through our commitment to racial equity, diversity, inclusivity; to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).“
Zion is part of the NEMN Synod of the ELCA
“The Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to the inclusive hospitality of God which welcomes all people into the work of the church to proclaim Christ, serve the neighbor, and strive for justice and peace in the world.
We embody this hospitality in our life together as synod through unapologetic welcome and affirmation of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, races and ethnicities, ages and abilities, and socio-economic or citizenship statuses.
We embrace the calling to work for welcome and reconciliation through our commitment to anti-racism and inclusion.“
Why are we a RIC partner?
Becoming an RIC Community is how Zion is communicating welcome of ALL people in a visible way to our extended community. Zion has had "All Are Welcome" on our outdoor sign for a long time and becoming an RIC community was the next step in putting welcome into practice.
Since 1983, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program has been a public way for faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church.
We extend this welcome to include people of all races and ethnicities including Black, Brown, Indigenous, & Persons of Color (BIPOC); committing to work for racial equity as well as anti-racist work in our local and national communities.
We commit to welcoming people of all ages and abilities; people of different socioeconomic backgrounds, and all people regardless of immigration or citizenship statuses.
The RIC Program is made up of congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations.
What is RIC?
Since 1974, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for
Full Participation has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and
equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and
asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of
their Church, congregations, and community.
Who is Reconciling Works?
Vision
To keep expanding the welcome, liberating those who are forced to live in the margins. To keep dismantling barriers and building bridges.
To keep working until all of God's beloved have equity.
Mission
ReconcilingWorks advocates for the acceptance, full participation, and liberation of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the Lutheran Church.
Values
We believe that God values and embraces each person as a beloved child, that the Spirit gives a diversity of gifts for the common good, and that Jesus Christ calls us to work for justice.
