Trinity votes to be a "Reconciling" Church

Trinity voted to become a "Reconciling" congregation during a special church conference on May 1, 2016.  The church also adopted the following welcoming statement:

Our welcome and compassion extend to all who seek God, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, economic status, education, family structure, religious background, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.  

With 97% of the votes approving, Trinity became part of the Reconciling Ministries Network.  The decision was the result of nearly two years of discernment.  In 2014, the Church Council formed a task force to engage the congregation about the possibility.  

Here is a partial summary of the task force's work:

• Solicited questions/comments from the congregation
• Produced a FAQ sheet
• Organized a dinner/movie night (For the Bible Tells Me So)
• Offered a 6-week Bible Study led by Tom Board
• Hosted forum discussions with Bishops Rader and Dyck
• Consulted with Alice Lonoff, an experienced coach
• Conducted a straw poll to assess the readiness of the congregation to decide.

I would like to thank each of the task force members, past and present: 

Joanne Aggens

Karen Appleby

Lizzy Appleby

Kristin Bowie

Denise Gifford

Diana Greiner

Frances Greiner

Kathryn Hartrick

Mike Jacobs

Jane McGee

Mindy Rittner

Ann Weatherhead.

The next steps involve living out this welcome and making it public.