| Lutherans Concerned / Tucson was formed the first time
in the early 90's. Having been a member of the Phoenix chapter
while living there, our original founding member, Greg Swanson started
exploring the options of getting a chapter going in Tucson. With
the help of Frank Loulan and the Phoenix chapter, we started by mailing
out letters of introduction to names of Tucson residents on the Phoenix
mailing list. From this mailing, we managed to get several
responses. In addition, through word of mouth and notices in the
local gay newspaper, we gathered together enough members to
"officially" form at that time.
Lutherans Concerned / Tucson continued to exist as a
group, publishing a newsletter once a month, and holding regular
meetings and worship services as a chapter. We contacted local
pastors and began to compile a list of supportive pastors that we could
use for referrals to gays and lesbians looking for a church home.
As time went on, we began holding joint activities with Integrity /
Tucson, the Episcopal counterpart to Lutherans Concerned and eventually
we also decided to maximize our resources and merged our newsletters as
well.
In order to make our presence known, we also hosted a
hospitality suite with the Phoenix chapter, at a couple of the Grand
Canyon Synod assemblies. While it was always the desire keep the
chapter going, the officers at the time were wanting to turn over
leadership of the group to new people. When this didn't happen, it
became difficult to continue without additional help. The group
eventually folded due to lack of activities, but it always remained the
desire of the founder, to participate again if the group became active.
In 1996, a couple of the current members met at a
national assembly of LC/NA. This was the first seed of the group
getting back together. In 1999 our current president was led to
contact the national organization. From that contact, the seed was
planted and for the formation of the current chapter. At first and
for several months, the current group began meeting over coffee.
That continued for a time until it was decided to publish an ad.
That is when the original founder wrote to the PO Box for additional
information. I met them over coffee and while nothing was planned
at that meeting, it was eventually decided by those involved to pursue
official status. On March 27, 2000, Lutherans Concerned / Tucson
became an official chapter of Lutherans Concerned / North America for
the second time.
In the time since then, our chapter has held monthly
meetings. These meetings usually include a social time, worship
and a program. This program can be educational or planning for a
particular upcoming activity such as annual assemblies. During the
past year, another congregation (Foothills) and the campus Lutheran
center have been recognized as reconciling congregations with
LC/NA.
Our Eighth Anniversary will be celebrated in March
of 2008. |
