Anyone here attend a ELCA Luthern church?

[jae bear]

I have been at the same Wisconsin synod Lutheran church since 1973, and sadly they are not going to want me around once I come out in public... My wife and I have been researching some local ELCA Lutheran churches as they are very accepting, and I am hoping our young daughter finds some acceptance and peace with my transition when we do tell her. Honestly I think she will be fine, she already asks questions about transgender topics even though I am sure she has no idea what's going on. My wife and I would also like to make some new friends (or for me just some friends at all) as almost all our friends are from church. Has anyone here had any experience with the ELCA Lutheran church? Are your experiences good, bad or indifferent?

Hugs,

Jae

[BrandiBri]

Jae, although I obviously don't live in San Jose, I was on a website a while back and just for research I did find a list of TG friendly chrches in you area. Unfortunately, I don't remember it now. But while trying to find it I did find a couple of sites that might help.

https://www.yellowpages.com/san-jose-ca/churches-lutheran-evangelical-lutheran-church-in-america-elca

http://www.cgslc.org/about-us.html

 

Hope this helps you out. btw I was raised Lutheran, but due to circumstances that I won't get into, I left the church. I now feel the need to find a good church here so now i am going to research Lutheran churches here. Not really optimistic though, since there are not too many trans folk and most churches probably have no experience with us. 

[VickySGV]

I am an Episcopalian and we and the ELCA are in communion with each other and share the Trans inclusive POV.  I have been to communion services and con-celebration services a few time with Trans ELCA folks.  It may depend a little bit on the congregation and pastor, but it is worth a check into.  If you cannot find an ELCA I will be happy to invite you to the Episcopal Church side of life.  I do know an Episcopal Church priest in the East Bay who is Transgender.

 

This web site here has a list of affirming churches on it in your neighborhood -- Find one near you and call the pastor would be my suggestion.  http://www.believeoutloud.com/latest

[SugarMagnolia]

I was at a PFLAG event last night and they had a panel with faith leaders including a local Lutheran pastor. He was very affirming and open. 

I'd definitely consider it if I were in your situation. Of course, as Vicky says it depends on the pastor, church, etc.

[jae bear]

 Oh my gosh, thank you girls, there’s some really good information here that I need to look at. My wife did a little hunting around and we seem to have found an Elka church nearby but we really need to go over and talk to the pastors. Of course being a heavy duty Lutheran I kind of feel the need to continue on that path but I have been to an Episcopal church here or there and some things are very similar, I am mainly concerned with a fairly straight forward scripture-based faith and not too much interpretation, one of my friends that I talk to this morning said Elka often does quite a bit of interpretation to fit the means and motives of any particular topic. I guess I’ll just need to attend a few services and talk with the pastors to see if I like the congregation and church then go from there. Of course as the old saying goes, you know you’re Lutheran when all of your casserole dishes have your name written in sharpie pen on the bottom, and a crock pot with your mothers name  written on a piece of tape ! Oh yeah, Lutherans love to eat, and a potluck at church just cannot be left unattended.

Hugs,

Jae

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 Your mother is so Lutheran...  all her casserole dishes have her name written in permanent ink on the bottom...