2SLGBTQQIA+ Inclusion

Foothills engaged a period of discernment to form the congregation’s conviction with respect to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, plus other identity terms) community. Foothills does not exclude anyone from full participation in the life of the church based on sexual identity. 

Motivated by a Congregational and Pastoral Review that indicated the desire to assess the church’s relationship with LGBT (language used at the time) folks, the congregation began a series of listening sessions and process of discernment in the Spring of 2015. The leadership created space to hear stories from those at Foothills who identify as LGBT and those who have loved ones who are LGBT. These sessions and the subsequent discernment created vigorous dialogue and some difficult relationships. 

The immediate response was for the church to create a Community Covenant. This was an attempt to establish an agreeable and charitable standard for engaging one another in difficult conversations. The Community Covenant remains an important guide in congregational business. 

Congregational dialogue continued with respect to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, focused on moving forward as a diverse community. This process included bringing in outside people and resources to inform the discernment. 

In May 2018, the board issued the announcement “Everyone is Welcome.” 

We believe the welcome we are being called to goes beyond allowing everyone to attend our church, but rather to include all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

The step of welcoming and including all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity is another step towards being a place where everyone is welcome. We know the journey is not over and there are others who need to be welcomed into God’s church. We look forward to the day when our church is known as a place where all people, from all walks of life are welcomed into our midst to worship and serve God together. 

Moving forward, Foothills continue to learn and strive to practice what it means to be a welcoming and affirming congregation.