Reconciling in Christ

FAQ Concerning RIC

As the Gulf Coast Synod considers becoming an RIC synod, here are answers to some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING RIC that may be helpful.

If you have other questions, please contact the Gulf Coast Synod LGBTQIA Coalition for more information.

Synod RIC Discernment Process

As the Gulf Coast Synod considers becoming an RIC synod, the following are resources to better help members, clergy, congregations, and others to learn more about what this would mean:

If you have other questions, please contact the Gulf Coast Synod LGBTQIA Coalition for more information.

What is Reconciling in Christ?

The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is for congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and other Lutheran organizations. Lutheran communities that publicly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are accepted onto the Reconciling in Christ Roster which now exceeds 813 settings. Most groups start the process of consideration by engaging in a study program or series of educational meetings. Hearing the experiences of LGBT people and their families often creates greater understanding and insights.

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Gulf Coast Synod’s RIC Congregations

Resources

For more resources to assist your congregation in growing inclusion and welcome of LGBTQIA, visit ReconcilingWorks.

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Contact Pastor Ele Clay:

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Born and raised in Taiwan, moved to Houston in 2014, Evangeline speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English. She joined Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire in 2015, moved to Berkeley for seminary in 2018, and recently returned to Houston after one year internship in Torrance and obtained her MDiv degree with Evangelism and Justice concentration. She had multiple work experiences for administrative tasks, including part-time assistant in TEEM office at PLTS. She embraces diversity, has passion for justice and service work, and commits to support the ministries of the Church.

Contact Staff for Evangeline

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Chris is passionate about networking and identifying new ways to support individuals and congregations as they grow a deeper, bolder, more consequential faith. Chris maintains the LEAD website, supports LEAD's signature coaching, and collaborates on the 10 Minute Toolbox.

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Peggy Hahn serves as the Executive Director for LEAD, aligning passionate leaders, resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders who grow faith communities in our world. Peggy is a frequent speaker and author who is never without a pile of books to read and seeks coaches and mentors for herself in an ongoing quest to learn and grow. Peggy is committed to listening to pastors and leaders of all ages for insight into the ways they are growing in their own faith and what LEAD can do to support them in their development as leaders.

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John Roalson began his work in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in May of 2023 as the gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest.

John received his undergraduate degree from Texas Lutheran University. Prior to coming to the foundation, John worked in the financial services industry for 20 years. He resides in Katy with his wife, Paula and has two daughters, Hannah & Abigail – all of whom also graduated from Texas Lutheran. John is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston.

John is available to meet with individuals and couples to help them plan legacy gifts that will bless family and loved ones, the ministries of our church, and other non-profit organizations that are important to them. He also works with congregations to assist them in being prepared to receive, celebrate, and steward legacy gifts from members and friends of the congregation. Low-cost, professionally managed investment options for congregations and other ministries are available through Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and the ELCA Foundation.

I have been an office administrator for 15+ years, with a great amount of time in the health industry. I love making organizations organized and running smoothly.

I have lived in Texas most of my life. My husband Ernie and I have 3 grown daughters and 2 grandchildren. Outside of work I love to work on our small farm, crochet, cook and spend time with family and friends.

A native Houstonian, Chris graduated from Concordia University in Austin and went to seminary in Berkeley. His first call was in Philadelphia. In 2003, he moved to New Orleans to serve as Mission Redeveloper for House of Prayer in Harvey. Following Hurricane Katrina, Chris relocated to Houston where he was called as Mission Developer and founding pastor of Celebration in Cypress, where he served for over 7 years. Chris is a member of the Order of Lutheran Franciscans. He enjoys traveling and joining friends for trivia at local venues.

Contact The Rev. Chris Markert:

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Prior to serving on Synod Staff, Tracey Breashears Schultz served Zion Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, she served at MacArthur Park Lutheran Church in San Antonio. A graduate of The University of Arkansas, Tracey received her Masters of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary, and her Doctor of Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Before her journey toward ordained ministry, Tracey was a Spanish teacher and a trainer for a medical software company.

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Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Serving as bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 2007 is an honor, a challenge, and a joy. It has given me the opportunity to work with many gifted pastors and committed people of faith. We’re creating communities that make disciples who serve the world in Jesus’ name.

For information updated weekly (sometimes daily) on news, events, ideas, books, schedules, and so on, visit my blog.

Evangelism is one of my passions, and our synod’s highest priority. Evangelism is making fully devoted followers of Christ, who taught love of God and neighbor as the greatest commandments. Every congregation is a mission, and every pastor is a missionary.

Together we plant new congregations, send missionaries, prepare rostered leaders, support companion synods, camps, campus ministries, and more. Our vision is to be a network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused congregations passing the faith to the next generation.

Biographical Information

Born: August 2, 1961, Columbus, Ohio

Wife: Susan

Children: John and Yuliana

Parents: Warren and Patricia Rinehart

Undergraduate studies: Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Valparaiso University, a Lutheran university in northern Indiana, 1983

Seminary: Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, 1988.

Calls:

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa (1988-1994)
Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina (1994-1997)
Grace Lutheran Church, Conroe, Texas (1997-2007)
Bishop, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (2007-present)

Currently Serving:

Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board
Houston Coalition for Immigration Reform
Board of the Houston Coalition for Mutual Respect

Contact Bishop Michael Rinehart:

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