Trinity Lutheran Church has a long and proud history of welcoming all who enter our doors. In June of 2018 the congregation affirmed that commitment by unanimously voting to become a Reconciling in Christ church. This unconditional welcome extends not only to LGBTQIA+ individuals, but to people of all races, ethnicities, religious traditions, socioeconomic backgrounds, immigration status and political affiliations. We are an evolving, loving, welcoming and embracing Christian community.
Trinity has celebrated it's commitment to inclusion through congregation education, public affirmation of our Welcome Statement, collaboration with community agencies such the EDGE Pride Center and participation in the New Jersey AIDS Walk - Morris County.
Join us as we continue to strategize new ways to reach out and engage with our siblings in Christ - where they are!
All Are Welcome in This Place!
The people of Trinity Lutheran Church of Dover, New Jersey, welcome you to our church community. We invite you to worship with us, enjoy the fellowship of a loving congregation and learn more about TLC and our Lutheran tradition.
Click above for RIC resources
We extend a loving welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, queer, confused, rich, comfortable or poor. We welcome wailing babies and excited toddlers. We welcome you whether you can sing like Pavarotti or quietly hum. We welcome those of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, political affiliations, immigration status and primary languages (Our service is in English). We welcome you if you are more Christian than Martin Luther, or haven’t been to church since Confirmation. We welcome those who are questioning their faith, have not participated in organized religion, grew up in another tradition or religion, or are just looking to sit a while.
We welcome, with open arms, those who are over 60 but not yet grown up, and teenagers who are growing up way too fast. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, both or neither. We welcome keep-fit moms, football dads, starving artists, tree huggers, latte-sippers (though you’ll need to settle for coffee here!), vegetarians, junk-food eaters and those who love a good Lutheran coffee hour. We embrace those who are in recovery (grape juice is offered at communion), or still addicted. We welcome you if you are having problems, are down in the dumps or don’t like organized religion.
We offer a smiling welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, are recently unemployed, can’t spell or are just here because Grandma made them come. We welcome those who are hearing impaired, have physical and mental health conditions and children, youth and adults with special needs.
We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved upon them as kids, or simply took the wrong train and ended up here by mistake! We welcome those who wish to be welcomed with an extended hand and listening ear, as well as folks who want to sit silently in a pew. We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters, those who are hurting and those who are celebrating.
We welcome YOU!
Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church of Dover. The little yellow church on the corner of Mercer and Blackwell Streets! Jesus Loves You!
“Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger. All are welcome, all are welcome in this place.”
(Haugen, Marty, GIA Publications, Inc. 1994)
Trinity thanks the people of Coventry Cathedral and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Your welcome statements inspired us.