The Garcia Family
I needed a church home where I could show my children that you can love and follow God while still being exactly who you are. A church that demonstrates God's love as inclusive, unconditional, and wide enough to embrace us all. We are so grateful to have found that at Reformation.
We didn't realize how deeply we needed a community like this, one rooted in love, affirmation, and grace. Through this church, we have formed deep friendships and a chosen family that has carried us through life's hardest and most beautiful moments. I truly can't imagine life without our Reformation Community. We are happy and proud to call Reformation our home.
Julia & Jim
Jim was a member of Reformation when he and Julia met in 1979. Julia became a member following their marriage performed by then Pastor Jim Nichols in 1982. That would make us among some of the most senior members of Reformation meaning we have been through the many highs and lows of RLC for nearly 40 years. The most important reason we love Reformation is the message of love and reconciliation, the gospel of salvation by grace and the commitment to justice and equality that is the underlying mission of our ministry. From the beginning we were loved and accepted as a new blended family by older members of the congregation, many who now rest among the saints. As we moved into the 21st Century, Reformation was declining in membership and struggling to be relevant in our community. We were very conscious of the fact that historically we had not been welcoming to all of our neighbors because of their race or sexual orientation.
These were our neighbors; it was important to us that they find a welcoming home at Reformation so as a church, we began a dialogue on human sexuality, acceptance and inclusiveness. Our proudest moment at Reformation was the almost unanimous vote to become a Reconciling congregation and the subsequent door-to-door canvasing of the neighborhood to spread that word. The resulting reputation of Reformation as a welcoming congregation continues to reward us through new friendships, new ministries, and new ways of outreach in service to our community. We love the rich heritage and traditional liturgy of Reformation and we love contributing to the growth of that heritage in new and inclusive ways.
