As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "There is no longer Jew or Greek, no longer slave or free, no longer male and female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all races, all national origins, and all colors. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all disabilities*, all neurodiversities*, all economic statuses, and all political beliefs or affiliations. 

Because people who are LGBTQIA+, BIPOC (Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color), and their families have been and often continue to be scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

• that people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and people of all races, national origins, and colors share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; that people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and people of all races, national origins, and colors are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making a common, public affirmation of faith; that as members of this congregation, people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and people of all races, national origins, and colors are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation; and that St. Ansgar will continue to bring these affirmations into action throughout our worship and ministries. 
• that people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making a common, public affirmation of faith; and that as members of this congregation are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of the congregation; and that St. Ansgar will continue to bring these affirmations into action through our worship and ministries.

We also affirm - as a commitment to racial equity and part of our work to travel the path of anti-racism and the dismantling of white supremacy - the following:

• that people of all races, national origins, and colors share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making a common, public affirmation of faith; and that as members of this congregation are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of the congregation; and that St. Ansgar will continue to bring these affirmations into action through our worship and ministries.

In addition to these broad statements of equity and inclusion, St. Ansgar also affirms that we as a congregation are open to calling an LGBTQIA + and BIPOC Rostered Leader; happily support, encourage, and make space in our sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC weddings and blessings; and will support the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the greater community by financially supporting the national Reconciling in Christ Program and organizations that center BIPOC justice, life, and culture with a meaningful annual contribution.

*Note: the use of “disability” and “neurodiversity” exclusively is to center those who have been and are currently marginalized, and to recognize that all bodies and minds work in unique ways and the assignment of “normal” or “typical” to some ways is inherently discriminatory, colonial, and evidence of white supremacy at work.