Some questions you may have:
Has Church of the Savior always been affirming of LGBTQIA+ persons?
Unfortunately, no, we have not. Although never hostile to persons in the LGBTQIA+ community, our church wasn't actively affirming either. When the denomination we were a part of took a hardline stance in 2022 against LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the church, it prompted us to have an important conversation. The result was a clear statement supported by the majority of members. It begins with, "We affirm that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome and valued in our community. Neither gender identity, nor sexual orientation, nor being in a same-sex relationship will impact a person's eligibility for membership or their ability to participate fully in congregational life at Church of the Savior."
We officially separated from that denomination in October 2025, and earlier this year we were happy to join another denomination (the Reformed Church in America) where we are free to fully embrace this commitment.
So everyone at Church of the Savior thinks the same way about this?
Actually, no. Some members think we should be a lot more affirming and active; some members have more traditional views and prefer slower change or no change; others are at various places in between. What we have agreed to is that we don't need to think and believe the same things about this in order to be in community with each other. We have also agreed that as a church we affirm that a person's sexual orientation or gender identity will have no bearing on whether they can be members or leaders in our church.
So how does that work?
We are still working that out! And while we do, we are committed to making the church a safe place for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Does that mean you don't have any LGBTQIA+ persons attending now?
Actually, we do. We have members of the congregation and in leadership who identify as queer in various ways. Some are out and others are not out publicly. In the past, these identities were under the radar. Because staying silent implicitly assumes everyone is straight, we are working to do better.
Our monthly Queer and Questioning Club is a place where LGBTQIA+ members/attenders can share their experiences with each other and encourage each other. Members find connection and support through the group, and together, they are able to bring the church leadership's attention to ways they may be feeling excluded or marginalized.