All Means All. No Exceptions.

At Lutheran Church of Hope, when we say "all are welcome" we absolutely mean ALL. No exceptions. 

We come from a faith tradition which intellectually delights in wrestling with the hard questions of faith. And this has meant division and disagreement at times. In the last 30 years or so, some of the wrestling we have done as Lutherans has been about the role and place for the LGBTQIA+ community within the clergy and how to address the discriminatory issues within our culture at large. And honestly, it has been ugly at times within the church as a whole. 

However, Lutheran Church of Hope has a decidedly different history. Recently Pastor Scott wrote, "LCHope has a long history with LGTBQIA+ community – a good one.  The interim pastor before me, Pastor Ken Thurow, wrote the book A Place at the Table – a pivotal book – as the state of Colorado went through legalizing civil unions and then same-sex marriages. More than a decade ago we had conversations and overwhelming affirmative votes for same-sex unions and marriages within our church."

Beyond our firm stance as a congregation of warmth, welcome, and inclusivity, we also are not a congregation that centers our community around gender identity or orientation. Pastor Scott says, "I do know several of our LGTBQIA+ folks come here because while we are very open and state plainly that all are welcomed, invited, and loved regardless of gender or orientation (or cultural/ethnic backgrounds) – we have not made it an upfront and center issue.  I have been told time and time again from our LGTBQIA+ folks that are grateful they can be a part of a community were they are valued as a whole person – not just for their gender identity or orientation."  

As a community we walk with individuals and families in transitions. We celebrate weddings and marriages. We participate in Broomfield PRIDE. We have LGTBQIA+ people in leadership as well over the years. We are a community that practices radical hospitality, and we welcome each person as a whole, beautiful creation of God. 

LCHope is welcoming and open to all folks – no matter what gender/orientation/color/ethnic and culture. Pastor Scott says, "We’re not perfect at it – but I am proud of what this congregation has accomplished in its understanding of equality. We all stand before the grace of God as we gather and do ministry with each other and out into the world."