All are welcome
St. Ansgar is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation of the ELCA. That means we welcome and affirm people of all gender identities and sexual orientations and their families. St. Ansgar became Maine’s first RIC congregation in January 2010 when we decided, by unanimous vote, to adopt a “statement of welcome” to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
But we try to go beyond just stating our welcome. We want to manifest our welcome through our everyday actions and attitudes. Check out some members' stories about why this commitment to welcome is important to them.
As an RIC congregation, we celebrate and welcome weddings of same or different gender couples. To find out more about getting married at St. Ansgar, contact Pr. Christephor: prchristephor@saintansgar.org.
For more information on the Reconciling in Christ program, click here.
You can find our congregation's Statement of Affirmation here.
Young people
Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate in the life of the church. St. Ansgar is a worshiping community that values inter-generational relationship and learning together. You and your children — and all their sounds — are welcome.
Recently, we set up a Pray-Ground in the Sanctuary as a place for our young worshipers to listen, read, and engage in crafts during the service. Sermons are geared for the whole family, and are interactive moments that delight the young and young at heart. We also have a children's area/nursery in the back where you or your young ones can retreat to see and hear and yet not be seen or heard.
All are sent
As Lutherans, we know we are called to live our faith outside the walls of our congregation and throughout the week. Our Sunday morning worship gatherings prepare us and inspire us to live our faith in our everyday lives. And so we participate in a variety of ministries as individuals and as a community, sharing God's love and grace through our actions.
