I was told that a report was expected following my service as a voting member at Churchwide Assembly. Here is what I submitted to my church council.
Report from ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2007
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly was held in Chicago from Monday, August 6, through Thursday, August 11. The theme was “Living in God’s Amazing Grace: Thanks Be to God!” Plenary sessions and worship were held at the Navy Pier. Voting members and other participants stayed at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, which hosted some of our meals, special topic hearings and the ELCA 20th Anniversary Banquet. I served as a voting member from the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
Opening worship on Monday afternoon was quite a celebration, featuring wonderful music, banners, streamers and Holy Communion. Bishop Mark Hanson preached, outlining the differences between a settled church and a sent church. We had Holy Communion everyday, with each service featuring different liturgies and hymns from Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
The assembly opened Monday evening in the first plenary session with the lighting of a candle and the ringing of bells. We all stood and sang “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” which was quite stirring with the large number of participants in that large room. I have to say one of my favorite parts of the assembly was the singing. It was part of every plenary session. The first plenary session consisted mainly of agreeing upon the rules of the assembly and figuring out what we were supposed to do.
The rest of the plenary sessions consisted of special guest speakers, reports from churchwide units, considering memorials from synods, elections, and Bible study focusing on Galatians. Speakers included keynote speaker Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, a Kenyan native now at work with the international YWCA, Bishop Hanson in his report to the Assembly, Rev. Lowell Almen in his secretary’s report to the Assembly, Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA treasurer and Mission Investment Fund president, Rev. Kathryn I. Love from Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit, and Vice President Carlos E. Pena in his report on behalf of the Church Council.
The Assembly received greetings from Metropolitan Chicago Synod Bishop Paul Landahl, Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, Jr., president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick, Dr. Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, Rev. Deborah DeWinter, program executive for the United States for the World Council of Churches, Clare Chapmann, deputy general secretary for administration and finance for the national Council of Churches U.S.A., and Chaplain Peter K. Mushcinske on behalf of federal chaplaincy ministries.
The Assembly voted to develop a churchwide strategy for addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to affirm Evangelical Lutheran Worship as the church’s primary worship resource, to encourage congregations and other Lutheran agencies to provide a welcoming and supporting environment for returning military veterans, to call for the development of a social statement on criminal justice for presentation for adoption in 2013, to recommit to this church’s strategy (Peace not Walls) for engagement in Israel and Palestine, to declare opposition to escalation of the war in Iraq, to call for moral deliberation about the situation in Iraq, to study the situation in Darfur and lobby U.S. officials to seek an end to the killing that many call a genocide in the African region, to increase giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal beyond the stated goal of $25 million annually, to extend the ELCA’s full communion partnership with the Moravian Church in America to the East Western Indies and the Alaska Provinces of the Moravian Church in America, to approve budget proposals for 2008 and 2009, to adopt the Social Statement on Education, and to endorse “Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible,” a five year initiative to promote study of the Bible.
One bittersweet aspect of this Assembly was the retirement of Rev. Lowell Almen, secretary of the ELCA. Secretary Almen’s report consisted of a very well-done video overview of his twenty years of experiences as the church body’s first secretary. The Assembly elected David D. Swartling, a layperson and the Assembly’s parliamentarian, as the ELCA’s new secretary. On Friday, Lowell Almen received the Servus Dei medal in recognition of his twenty years of service as ELCA secretary.
Bishop Mark Hansen was re-elected for another six years with 86 % of the vote on the second ballot. He missed re-election on the first ballot by just two votes. He received a standing ovation from the Assembly.
I was very pleased to participate in the discussion and the voting for the Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible initiative. For more information and to “join the conversation,” visit the web site, http://www.elca.org/bookoffaith/. The Assembly passed two resolutions supporting this initiative. One recommendation stressed the importance of Scripture for believers “throughout the ages” and thanked the North Carolina Synod for proposing the initiative. The second recommendation gave specific suggestions for ways to “invite and encourage all members, expressions, institutions and partners of this church to commit themselves regularly and increasingly to hearing, reading, studying, sharing and being formed by God’s Word.” Lutheran Coalition for Reform proposed an amendment that read “to develop a more profound appreciation of the distinctive Lutheran focus on God’s use of scripture to bring sinners to repentance and salvation in Christ.” This amendment was soundly defeated, even after substituting the word “all” for “sinners,” and substituting “faith” for “repentance.” Speakers objected to the negativity of the words sinners and repentance and had trouble with the idea of claiming that there is a distinctive Lutheran focus on the study of scripture. I found the whole discussion rather disturbing. Yet, I am excited and hopeful about the possibility of getting more Lutherans seriously studying scripture!
Once again sexuality issues created a great deal of discussion during the Assembly. Twenty-one of our sixty-five synods presented memorials asking the Assembly to direct the Church Council to modify ELCA standards regarding rostered/ordained people in partnered homosexual relationships. There were also memorials regarding same sex blessings, refraining from disciplining those in violation of standards, directing bishops to uphold/enforce the standards as they are, and one condemning reparative therapy for people with homosexual orientation. The Memorials Committee recommended that the Assembly refer all sexuality memorials to the Sexuality Task Force for inclusion in their deliberations as they develop a Social Statement on Sexuality to present for adoption at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. The Assembly voted to do just that on all but one of the memorials. They voted to recommend that bishops demonstrate restraint in disciplining people and congregations that call ministers in mutual, chaste and faithful, committed, same-gender relationships, and called for restraint in disciplining professional leaders. So we still have the same standards, we just are not obligated to enforce them. So those synods who have not been enforcing the standards will continue as they have been and those who have been more inclined to enforce the standards will be discouraged from doing so, at least until the Social Statement on Sexuality is adopted. Anyone who would like to have input on this study should go to http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/ to download Journey Together Faithfully, Part Three, Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Sexuality. The response forms are due November 1, 2007. The first draft of the social statement will be released for discussion throughout the ELCA and response to the task force in March, 2008.
As stated earlier, our Bible Study times focused on Galatians and the freedom of the Christian. Repeatedly we were reminded of Paul’s condemnation of the Galatians for turning back to the keeping of the law as a requirement of being a Christian. On Friday, the Rev. Timothy J. Wengert from LTSP began his study by quoting Paul, “In Christ you are free! Free from sin, free from law, free from death, free from the devil and evil, free from guilt and shame, free from doubt and despair.” Then he asked, “So, now that you are free from doing anything, what are you going to do?” I think that is a very good question for all of us, individuals, churches and the church at large. It also raises a very Lutheran question for me, “What does this mean?” If I were to take all the Bible studies, sermons and speeches I heard at Churchwide Assembly at face value, I would have to say that we have no obligation to follow any law in the Bible, as long as we are loving, accepting and tolerant, and as long as we pursue justice in the world.
Friday evening we celebrated the Twentieth Anniversary of the ELCA at a banquet held at the Hyatt Regency. The food was wonderful and the entertainment hysterically funny! The Bottle Band from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, Illinois, used bottles to play everything from Bach to the blues and kept the attendees in stitches for the entire performance. Think of our clowns playing music….quite well….with bottles.
The closing worship on Saturday was another celebratory experience with dancers from the Thai Community Church of Chicago and singers and musicians from the Assembly voting members and congregations of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. An installation ceremony for newly elected officers was part of the closing worship.
I would be happy to discuss the assembly or answer any questions that I can. Minutes, photos, videos and summaries are available at http://www.elca.org/assembly/, for those who are interested in more details.
Respectfully submitted,
---Katie
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Grand Forks Herald
August 15, 2007
In the newspaper of Sunday, August 12, you may have read the article, “Evangelical Lutherans assembly asks to keep gay clergy.” It stated that at the 2007 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, voting members decided by a margin of 538 to 431 to “urge and encourage” the bishops of the denomination either to “refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining” gay and lesbian clergy who choose to violate the ministry standards of the church.
While this decision is only advisory and not legislative, we still find it discouraging. Members of our denomination are wandering away from the firm foundation of Scripture and confessions. The tradition in which we have been raised and in which we teach has lost its moorings and appears to be adrift in the contemporary currents of affirmation and acceptance.
It is troubling that at 21 of the 65 synod assemblies held this spring and summer, church members passed resolutions that point toward the legitimization of sexual behavior that is prohibited by the clear witness of our Holy Scriptures. This direction comes not only from several condemnations of homoerotic expression in the Bible, but also from many passages that give shape to the context and purpose of human sexuality.
Regardless of what a church assembly decides, Christians are to follow the witness of Scripture. Martin Luther stated that, “We let bishops and councils decide and establish whatever they please. But if we have God’s Word before us, we, and not they, are to decide whether it is right or wrong.” Assemblies are to yield to scripture, not to find ways to bend its guidance to their own will.
The head of our church, Jesus Christ, has commanded us to preach a message of repentance and forgiveness. Rather than condoning sin, we are to call people to turn away from their sins and to receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The good news of eternal life in His Name is given to all who believe, regardless of background or status. Such an announcement of forgiveness is much different than the setting aside of discipline.
In the end, one may ask a classic Lutheran question -- “What does this mean?” Do our own bishops, pastors, and church councils continue on a path where destructive behaviors are neither acknowledged nor confronted, but rather allowed to continue? Do we set aside standards and policies because they no longer fit with the times? Do we find ways where each one of us can plead for “restraint in discipline” simply because we no longer care to be part of the new life in Jesus Christ?
We ask for the prayers of each Christian who reads this letter: prayers for the members of the denomination in which we serve, that all of us may be called back to our scriptures. For those who are members of the ELCA, we also ask that you take up prayer and action. Ask your pastor what he or she believes and teaches on this matter. Write to your bishop and ask for a response. Take up your own responsibility to preach and teach when those in your midst are failing. Keep up the good fight for the faith. Though institutions and buildings fall away, our Lord and his promises endure forever.
Pastor Daniel Ostercamp, Badger, MN
Pastor Paul Koch, Wannaska, MN
Hat tip to Pietist.
---Katie
Grand Forks Herald
August 15, 2007
In the newspaper of Sunday, August 12, you may have read the article, “Evangelical Lutherans assembly asks to keep gay clergy.” It stated that at the 2007 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, voting members decided by a margin of 538 to 431 to “urge and encourage” the bishops of the denomination either to “refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining” gay and lesbian clergy who choose to violate the ministry standards of the church.
While this decision is only advisory and not legislative, we still find it discouraging. Members of our denomination are wandering away from the firm foundation of Scripture and confessions. The tradition in which we have been raised and in which we teach has lost its moorings and appears to be adrift in the contemporary currents of affirmation and acceptance.
It is troubling that at 21 of the 65 synod assemblies held this spring and summer, church members passed resolutions that point toward the legitimization of sexual behavior that is prohibited by the clear witness of our Holy Scriptures. This direction comes not only from several condemnations of homoerotic expression in the Bible, but also from many passages that give shape to the context and purpose of human sexuality.
Regardless of what a church assembly decides, Christians are to follow the witness of Scripture. Martin Luther stated that, “We let bishops and councils decide and establish whatever they please. But if we have God’s Word before us, we, and not they, are to decide whether it is right or wrong.” Assemblies are to yield to scripture, not to find ways to bend its guidance to their own will.
The head of our church, Jesus Christ, has commanded us to preach a message of repentance and forgiveness. Rather than condoning sin, we are to call people to turn away from their sins and to receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The good news of eternal life in His Name is given to all who believe, regardless of background or status. Such an announcement of forgiveness is much different than the setting aside of discipline.
In the end, one may ask a classic Lutheran question -- “What does this mean?” Do our own bishops, pastors, and church councils continue on a path where destructive behaviors are neither acknowledged nor confronted, but rather allowed to continue? Do we set aside standards and policies because they no longer fit with the times? Do we find ways where each one of us can plead for “restraint in discipline” simply because we no longer care to be part of the new life in Jesus Christ?
We ask for the prayers of each Christian who reads this letter: prayers for the members of the denomination in which we serve, that all of us may be called back to our scriptures. For those who are members of the ELCA, we also ask that you take up prayer and action. Ask your pastor what he or she believes and teaches on this matter. Write to your bishop and ask for a response. Take up your own responsibility to preach and teach when those in your midst are failing. Keep up the good fight for the faith. Though institutions and buildings fall away, our Lord and his promises endure forever.
Pastor Daniel Ostercamp, Badger, MN
Pastor Paul Koch, Wannaska, MN
Hat tip to Pietist.
---Katie
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I'm for the Free Market and Free Trade, but....
....I have really started looking at where the products I buy are produced. And if they are produced in China, I think twice about buying them.
I am not a fan of China. They have a different view of the value of human life than we do. They force women to have abortions if they violate the one child policy, sometimes even at eight or nine months gestation. Some years back the stories of "window babies" made our news - baby girls were left near the window of a home in the hopes that they would get sick and die, and the family would not have to waste their one opportunity to have a child on a (useless) girl. How many people do you know who have adopted boys from China? Doesn't happen much, if at all. But girls are just thrown away. I won't even go into to how badly people are treated in the workplace, much of which is just a slave labor situation.
Yet, I believe in the free market and free trade because ultimately it benefits everyone. People get jobs and consumers get the best value for their money. The free market works well because people make informed choices and producers who produce good products at a good price will flourish and people who produce junk will fail.
That needs to come into play now. We need to wake up and check who made what we buy, because China is making junk. Not only that, they are making junk that can kill us. It all boils down to valuing human life more than money. Or perhaps it is because we have difficulty suing producers in China who produce deadly products.
Read more at Bob Lonsberry's blog. (Click on the title.)
And be careful about buying Chinese junk.
---Katie
I am not a fan of China. They have a different view of the value of human life than we do. They force women to have abortions if they violate the one child policy, sometimes even at eight or nine months gestation. Some years back the stories of "window babies" made our news - baby girls were left near the window of a home in the hopes that they would get sick and die, and the family would not have to waste their one opportunity to have a child on a (useless) girl. How many people do you know who have adopted boys from China? Doesn't happen much, if at all. But girls are just thrown away. I won't even go into to how badly people are treated in the workplace, much of which is just a slave labor situation.
Yet, I believe in the free market and free trade because ultimately it benefits everyone. People get jobs and consumers get the best value for their money. The free market works well because people make informed choices and producers who produce good products at a good price will flourish and people who produce junk will fail.
That needs to come into play now. We need to wake up and check who made what we buy, because China is making junk. Not only that, they are making junk that can kill us. It all boils down to valuing human life more than money. Or perhaps it is because we have difficulty suing producers in China who produce deadly products.
Read more at Bob Lonsberry's blog. (Click on the title.)
And be careful about buying Chinese junk.
---Katie
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Sex and the Lutheran Youth Group
Sometimes we need to hear it from outside our little Lutheran bubble:
Sex and the Lutheran Youth Group
by Frank Pastore (via Townhall.com)
How do they do it?
I mean, how can the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) tell their kids with a straight face not to be sexually active outside of marriage when they’ve just voted last Saturday to no longer enforce the celibacy requirement for their unmarried staff—both straight and gay?
Click on the title to read the article.
----
I don't get where we voted on anything but same-sex relationships, but in all practicality, heterosexual non-marital sex tends to be ignored already. From what I understand a staff person at my ELCA church was living with an opposite sex partner and the person in authority over her was told not to do anything about it by the then Senior pastor. The ELCA has been glossing over issues of sexual sin for a long time. This is nothing new....
---Katie
Sex and the Lutheran Youth Group
by Frank Pastore (via Townhall.com)
How do they do it?
I mean, how can the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) tell their kids with a straight face not to be sexually active outside of marriage when they’ve just voted last Saturday to no longer enforce the celibacy requirement for their unmarried staff—both straight and gay?
Click on the title to read the article.
----
I don't get where we voted on anything but same-sex relationships, but in all practicality, heterosexual non-marital sex tends to be ignored already. From what I understand a staff person at my ELCA church was living with an opposite sex partner and the person in authority over her was told not to do anything about it by the then Senior pastor. The ELCA has been glossing over issues of sexual sin for a long time. This is nothing new....
---Katie
Friday, August 17, 2007
Reflections on the Churchwide Assembly
From the LC3 blog:
Reflections on the Churchwide Assembly
Rev. Sara “Sally” Gausmann
One of the slogans of the ELCA over the last couple of years has been “unity in the midst of diversity.” This unity has been so important that it even made it into the proposal of the task force presentation in 2005 when we discussed the blessing of same sex unions and the rostering of non-celibate clergy. The resolution was, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions—be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.
What is the disagreement that we have that endangers our unity so much that we have to make resolutions promoting living together faithfully? Well, after I attended the 2005 assembly it became clear to me that the disagreement was not just on matters relating to human sexuality but had to do with a different understanding of theology or what I would call a new gospel. After attending the 2007 churchwide assembly I now realize that not only does this new gospel exist, but I have now had confirmed in my mind the realization that because of this new gospel we cannot have a unified church.
Click on the title to read more.
---Katie
Reflections on the Churchwide Assembly
Rev. Sara “Sally” Gausmann
One of the slogans of the ELCA over the last couple of years has been “unity in the midst of diversity.” This unity has been so important that it even made it into the proposal of the task force presentation in 2005 when we discussed the blessing of same sex unions and the rostering of non-celibate clergy. The resolution was, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions—be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.
What is the disagreement that we have that endangers our unity so much that we have to make resolutions promoting living together faithfully? Well, after I attended the 2005 assembly it became clear to me that the disagreement was not just on matters relating to human sexuality but had to do with a different understanding of theology or what I would call a new gospel. After attending the 2007 churchwide assembly I now realize that not only does this new gospel exist, but I have now had confirmed in my mind the realization that because of this new gospel we cannot have a unified church.
Click on the title to read more.
---Katie
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sinners and Repentance too Narrow at Assembly
This is a good summary from the Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession blog. This is a good place to start researching reform groups in the ELCA. Click on the title!
'Sinners' and 'Repentance' too 'Narrow' at Assembly
by Betsy Carlson, WA editor
By late Tuesday afternoon, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in Chicago this week, re-elected Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and adopted a five-year initiative to encourage and support ELCA members, clergy and institutions to hear, read and study "God's Word" more than they have been.
Hanson, who needed a 75 percent majority vote for re-election, received 88 percent on the second ballot on Tuesday morning. This will be his second and final six-year term because of ELCA term limits.
The Bible reading and study initiative, "Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible," is to be led by Prof. Diane Jacobson of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
An amendment to give the program a distinctly Lutheran flavor was defeated after two successful amendments to it that basically undid what was proposed in the initial amendment.
In a paragraph calling on the whole ELCA to increase its biblical fluency, experience deeper worship and devotion and to develop a more profound appreciation of "Lutheran principles and approaches for the use of the Scriptures," Pastor Steve King of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod moved to take out the phrase after "profound appreciation of."
He wanted to replace it with a more profound appreciation of "the distinctive Lutheran focus on God's use of Scripture to bring sinners to repentance and salvation in Christ."
A lively discussion followed with several bishops taking part. A layperson Katie Abercrombie of Florida-Bahamas Synod and Pastor David Weeks of Southwestern Minnesota Synod were the first to speak and were in favor of King's move. Bishop Bruce Burnside of South-Central Wisconsin Synod spoke against the amendment saying it "narrows the purpose of the initiative."
Bishop Warren Freiheit of the Central Southern Illinois Synod spoke in favor of the amendment, but moved to amend it to remove the word "sinners" and replace it with "all." That amendment was adopted by a vote of 887 yes to 139 no.
And Bishop Steve Ullestad of the Northeastern Iowa Synod spoke against using the word "distinctive" in King's amendment. He stated that the salvation story is not unique to Lutheranism.
Pastor Michele Fischer of the Upstate New York Synod wanted to add the words "and relationship" and proposed another amendment to the amendment to do so. It failed 444 yes to 555 no.
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann of the Northwestern Ohio Synod spoke in favor of King's amendment and said it was important to lift up the Lutheran focus.
Pastor Elias Kitoi Nasari of the Greater Milwaukee Synod spoke against the amendment saying it should say "use of God's word," not "how God uses Scripture." He said saying that God uses Scripture involved personal interpretation and put words in God's mouth.
New Jersey Synod Bishop Roy Riley asserted there were different approaches to Scripture and that King's amendment would eliminate "some work we need to do" concerning differences in the church, which is working for inclusiveness. He also moved to replace the word "repentance" with "faith" and said that humankind is not saved by repentance, but by faith. Riley's amendment passed 531 yes and 451 no.
King's weakened amendment was defeated with a vote of 296 yes and 725 no.
---Katie
'Sinners' and 'Repentance' too 'Narrow' at Assembly
by Betsy Carlson, WA editor
By late Tuesday afternoon, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in Chicago this week, re-elected Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and adopted a five-year initiative to encourage and support ELCA members, clergy and institutions to hear, read and study "God's Word" more than they have been.
Hanson, who needed a 75 percent majority vote for re-election, received 88 percent on the second ballot on Tuesday morning. This will be his second and final six-year term because of ELCA term limits.
The Bible reading and study initiative, "Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible," is to be led by Prof. Diane Jacobson of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
An amendment to give the program a distinctly Lutheran flavor was defeated after two successful amendments to it that basically undid what was proposed in the initial amendment.
In a paragraph calling on the whole ELCA to increase its biblical fluency, experience deeper worship and devotion and to develop a more profound appreciation of "Lutheran principles and approaches for the use of the Scriptures," Pastor Steve King of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod moved to take out the phrase after "profound appreciation of."
He wanted to replace it with a more profound appreciation of "the distinctive Lutheran focus on God's use of Scripture to bring sinners to repentance and salvation in Christ."
A lively discussion followed with several bishops taking part. A layperson Katie Abercrombie of Florida-Bahamas Synod and Pastor David Weeks of Southwestern Minnesota Synod were the first to speak and were in favor of King's move. Bishop Bruce Burnside of South-Central Wisconsin Synod spoke against the amendment saying it "narrows the purpose of the initiative."
Bishop Warren Freiheit of the Central Southern Illinois Synod spoke in favor of the amendment, but moved to amend it to remove the word "sinners" and replace it with "all." That amendment was adopted by a vote of 887 yes to 139 no.
And Bishop Steve Ullestad of the Northeastern Iowa Synod spoke against using the word "distinctive" in King's amendment. He stated that the salvation story is not unique to Lutheranism.
Pastor Michele Fischer of the Upstate New York Synod wanted to add the words "and relationship" and proposed another amendment to the amendment to do so. It failed 444 yes to 555 no.
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann of the Northwestern Ohio Synod spoke in favor of King's amendment and said it was important to lift up the Lutheran focus.
Pastor Elias Kitoi Nasari of the Greater Milwaukee Synod spoke against the amendment saying it should say "use of God's word," not "how God uses Scripture." He said saying that God uses Scripture involved personal interpretation and put words in God's mouth.
New Jersey Synod Bishop Roy Riley asserted there were different approaches to Scripture and that King's amendment would eliminate "some work we need to do" concerning differences in the church, which is working for inclusiveness. He also moved to replace the word "repentance" with "faith" and said that humankind is not saved by repentance, but by faith. Riley's amendment passed 531 yes and 451 no.
King's weakened amendment was defeated with a vote of 296 yes and 725 no.
---Katie
What to do now?
If you are in the ELCA and plan to remain in the ELCA and are troubled about the direction the national church body is taking, now is the time to take action. Here are some things you should consider doing:
Research Lutheran Core, Lutheran Church of the Common Confession, Word Alone. Just google the names and you will find all kinds of information. People who favor the direction of the ELCA will say unkind things about the people involved in these organizations. I want you to know that I have worked with these folks and they genuinely love the ELCA and want the best for the organization. They speak much more charitably about those who oppose them than they are spoken about. They also encourage those who are unhappy not to leave the ELCA - it is worth saving.
Get yourself nominated to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. How to do that varies by synod. I cannot go next time because the Florida Bahamas synod selects voting members by conferences. This year our conference needed a lay female. Next time it could be a clergy or person of color or youth...I don't know, but I suspect it won't be any category for which I qualify. Other synods elect their quotas statewide, and the same people can go again and again. Start looking into this now, because these elections will be held this coming spring for the 2009 assembly. If you don't qualify or don't want to go, start asking around and find someone who will.
Participate in the sexuality task force study. Go to www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/. People are not participating in this study at the levels that participated in the previous study. This could be because they are studied out, or perhaps they believe that is does not matter if they participate because they will be ignored anyway. Do it anyway if you plan to stay in the ELCA.
Pay particularly close attention to the Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible initiative. You can keep up with it at www.elca.org/bookoffaith/. How we read and interpret the Bible will have great influence on the direction of the ELCA. Our presiding bishop has already stated that we have two hermeneutics in the ELCA, traditional and contextual and that they are irreconcilable and both are correct, or something to that effect. Which one do you want our Book of Faith to emphasize? Be involved.
Pray. God is in control. The ELCA is still His church. There are many faithful Christian people in the ELCA. Pray for them and for your church and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Stay in the Word.
I'll probably think of something I have left off, but that's all I can think of for now. If people do not act, all these sexuality changes will come about in 2009. Now is the time to act.
---Katie
Research Lutheran Core, Lutheran Church of the Common Confession, Word Alone. Just google the names and you will find all kinds of information. People who favor the direction of the ELCA will say unkind things about the people involved in these organizations. I want you to know that I have worked with these folks and they genuinely love the ELCA and want the best for the organization. They speak much more charitably about those who oppose them than they are spoken about. They also encourage those who are unhappy not to leave the ELCA - it is worth saving.
Get yourself nominated to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. How to do that varies by synod. I cannot go next time because the Florida Bahamas synod selects voting members by conferences. This year our conference needed a lay female. Next time it could be a clergy or person of color or youth...I don't know, but I suspect it won't be any category for which I qualify. Other synods elect their quotas statewide, and the same people can go again and again. Start looking into this now, because these elections will be held this coming spring for the 2009 assembly. If you don't qualify or don't want to go, start asking around and find someone who will.
Participate in the sexuality task force study. Go to www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/. People are not participating in this study at the levels that participated in the previous study. This could be because they are studied out, or perhaps they believe that is does not matter if they participate because they will be ignored anyway. Do it anyway if you plan to stay in the ELCA.
Pay particularly close attention to the Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible initiative. You can keep up with it at www.elca.org/bookoffaith/. How we read and interpret the Bible will have great influence on the direction of the ELCA. Our presiding bishop has already stated that we have two hermeneutics in the ELCA, traditional and contextual and that they are irreconcilable and both are correct, or something to that effect. Which one do you want our Book of Faith to emphasize? Be involved.
Pray. God is in control. The ELCA is still His church. There are many faithful Christian people in the ELCA. Pray for them and for your church and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Stay in the Word.
I'll probably think of something I have left off, but that's all I can think of for now. If people do not act, all these sexuality changes will come about in 2009. Now is the time to act.
---Katie
Friday, August 10, 2007
20th Anniversary Banquet
I have to admit that I seriously considered blowing this event off so I could just have some down time. I am so glad I went! The food was great. It was sort of what we call family style and it was an unusual mix of what I would consider German food and light Italian food. A couple of cold veggie salads, ziti with cheese, potato puffs, sausage, sweet potatoes (mashed) salmon with some sort of veggie salsa on it - unusual but good. Oh, pork loin and an assortment of desserts as well. We just passed it all around.
The entertainment was hysterical. I have never seen a bottle band before and it was truly the funniest thing I have seen in months. Click on the title for an article and picture.
And I was truly happy that there were no speeches!! I am speeched out!
---Katie
The entertainment was hysterical. I have never seen a bottle band before and it was truly the funniest thing I have seen in months. Click on the title for an article and picture.
And I was truly happy that there were no speeches!! I am speeched out!
---Katie
Will we ever get done with these motions!!!???
So we had a motion on the floor to refer the memorials regarding ordination to the sexuality task force. Goodsoil presented a substitute motion which basically reinstated the model memorial for ordination. So we had the two motions up and had to choose between them. We debated long and hard. Everything that needed to be said on both sides was said. We called the question and the Goodsoil motion was defeated. Now, if I had just gotten up right then and called the question on the first motion, we would be done with this issue, but none of us moved fast enough and we did not see what was coming. A SECOND substitute motion was moved and now we are debating that. Everyone is tired tired tired! We are not making any progress and people are just saying the same thing over and over.
For detail accounts of the events of the day, check out the ALPB forum!
For streaming video, go to elca.org!
The secretary's was great! You can see that at elca.org. Seriously, Lowell Almen is retiring and his report was a fabulous video. Really! You have to see it! (That is if you are a church geek....)
---Katie
For detail accounts of the events of the day, check out the ALPB forum!
For streaming video, go to elca.org!
The secretary's was great! You can see that at elca.org. Seriously, Lowell Almen is retiring and his report was a fabulous video. Really! You have to see it! (That is if you are a church geek....)
---Katie
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Why this is hard
While I believe the issues of sexuality that we are considering this week are pretty black and white, and I have no intention of going over "to the other side," I have to say this is a very difficult process. It is not easy to look at your brothers and sisters in Christ and say to them, "I cannot support your heart's desire." It is hard to call what they consider to be an appropriate and loving expression of who they are a sin in need of repentance. I had the opportunity to speak for referring all the memorials regarding sexuality to the Sexuality Task Force which will present our social statement on sexuality in 2009. Another woman in my delegation spoke for changing the standards now and pleaded with the assembly not to make her wait another two years. Please pray for those of us who are here trying to speak for the authority of scripture and trying to show love and compassion for those who struggle.
Musings
Just a little of the personal side of my experience in Chicago...
I have a great room. I did not sign up for a roommate, so I have to pay half of my room rate. I also got upgraded to a "Regency Club" floor when I got here. I have a small room on the 34th floor with a fabulous view of the Chicago River, the Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan. This is a nice hotel.
It looks like most of what I am going to see while I am here is the hotel, navy pier, and the buses. ;-) We are quite busy.
People are friendly. I am having a great time getting to meet people from all over. I especially like the Word Alone/Lutheran Core folks. It is unfortunate that many people have had their minds poisoned against these folks. Our leadership does not like them, obviously. I met a very nice pastor from Ocala during my flight up and she and I have been hanging out some and we sit together during plenary sessions.
I really have decided that I hate the word "diversity." Bleah.
During the keynote today, the speaker had us read aloud together a whole list of things we are going to do in our lives about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. I did not participate....I can't see saying I am going to do all of these things I have not even had a chance to ponder and make a decision about. Many people did read it, but I was not the only one who abstained...
---Katie
I have a great room. I did not sign up for a roommate, so I have to pay half of my room rate. I also got upgraded to a "Regency Club" floor when I got here. I have a small room on the 34th floor with a fabulous view of the Chicago River, the Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan. This is a nice hotel.
It looks like most of what I am going to see while I am here is the hotel, navy pier, and the buses. ;-) We are quite busy.
People are friendly. I am having a great time getting to meet people from all over. I especially like the Word Alone/Lutheran Core folks. It is unfortunate that many people have had their minds poisoned against these folks. Our leadership does not like them, obviously. I met a very nice pastor from Ocala during my flight up and she and I have been hanging out some and we sit together during plenary sessions.
I really have decided that I hate the word "diversity." Bleah.
During the keynote today, the speaker had us read aloud together a whole list of things we are going to do in our lives about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. I did not participate....I can't see saying I am going to do all of these things I have not even had a chance to ponder and make a decision about. Many people did read it, but I was not the only one who abstained...
---Katie
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible
I hope Richard Johnson doesn't mind, but I copied his coverage of the debate so I could go ahead and get it to you. Click on the title to go over to the ALPB forum and see his other items. He is doing a great job with getting all the details in. (By the way, I was the speaker from Florida.)
The “Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible” initiative was presented. This is a series of recommendations that will push Bible study over the next several years “with the goal of raising to a new level this church’s individual and collective engagement with the Bible and its teaching, yielding greater biblical fluency, deeper worship and devotion, and a more profound appreciation of Lutheran principles and approaches for the use of Scripture.” The first recommendation which essentially rejoiced that we have the Scripture. Adopted nearly unanimously.
Recommendation 2 gives thanks for the Bible. A New York member moved to insert language (apparently to become a new paragraph after Recommendation 2) “To call members, congregations, synods, churchwide ministries, and institutions and agencies of the ELCA to explore ways to reform culture and customs in this church that will open it to a new level of valuing and being shaped by the power of the Word.” Approved by 72%.
Steven King from SW Minnesota offered an amendment, which came out of Lutheran CORE (though this was not stated by Mr. King). This amendment would change the phrase “and a more profound appreciation of principles and approaches for the use of Scripture” to “and a more profound appreciation of the distinctive Lutheran focus on God’s use of Scripture to bring sinners to repentance and salvation in Christ.” Speakers from Florida and Minnesota spoke in favor (these all lined up ahead of time by Lutheran CORE).
Bishop Burnside from Wisconsin then spoke against the amendment—it “narrows and puts into place our own intention” and “undoes what the original language tries to do.” A speaker from Montana agreed. Bishop Freiheit of Illinois moved to change the word “sinners” in the amendment to the word “all.” Theologically odd, but then this was a bishop speaking. He’s heard the word “sinner” used in some unfortunate ways. He wants all people looked upon equally in God’s eyes.
A Milwaukee member thought the amendment sounds good, but liked the word “all” better than “sinners.” Bishop Holloway from Ohio agreed.
On the amendment to strike “sinners” and put “all,” the Assembly agreed by 86%, and thus “sinners” were struck. On the amendment itself, there was further speaking. Bp. Ullestad of Iowa was against it. He didn’t like the word “distinctive,” and he also thought the amendment narrowed the use of Holy Scripture. A pastor from upstate New York spoke in favor of the amendment, but wanted to amend it by inserting the word “relationship”—so that God uses Scripture to bring “all” (now) to repentance, salvation, and relationship. Sloppy; relationship to whom, and of what kind? The amendment lost, 44% to 56%.
Bishop April Larson complained that her section couldn’t hear Bp. Ullestad, and requested a do-over. The bishop went to the mic, and apparently mouthed some silent words. Bp. Hanson pronounced him even more eloquent the second time. Then he really did his opposition speech over.
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann from NW Ohio. Another member objected to the phrase “God’s use of Scripture”—God is the author, he insisted, not the “user.” The amendment is well intended, but is afraid we’ll end up putting words in God’s mouth.
David Olson of St. Paul spoke in favor. “We must not lose sight of our [Lutheran] heritage.” Bp. Riley of New Jersey was against it, because it deletes the language about “Lutheran principles and approaches.” (Of course this is exactly the point; CORE is concerned that this opens the door to any number of principles and approaches.)
Jason Day from somewhere or the other moved that the word “repentance” in the amendment be replaced with “faith.” Someone who neglected to identify herself (so Charles refused to listen to her) moved previous question on the amendment to the amendment, and the Assembly agreed to cease debate (87%). The amendment to the amendment was approved by 54%. Makes sense; if it’s no longer about sinners, what need have we for repentance.
Melinda Wagner, Oregon Synod, spoke against the amendment. Lutherans have a unique contribution to the question of how to use Scripture. Seems to me she should have been in favor of it, then, but she wasn’t. I guess she things there’s something unique but not distinctive about the Lutheran focus.
Motion to close debate was approved, and the amendment (now more or less viscerated) was rejected, 29% to 71%. A defeat for Lutheran CORE. (My view: CORE was effective at having people lined up to support the amendment, but not so effective at anticipating the nature of the arguments that would be made against it and preparing counter arguments.)
After a motion to close debate was approved, the final recommendation on the initiative was approved by a vote of 93% to 7%. I wonder who the no votes were—people who don’t want to read the Bible, or people who thought the recommendation had holes big enough to drive the proverbial truck through and were afraid that much mischief might result from a nice-sounding resolution. (My view: sure, maybe some mischief, but never underestimate the power of God to work through his Word; getting ELCA members to read the Bible has to be a positive thing, and it will no doubt bring plenty of sinners to repentance and salvation, no matter what the resolution says!)
-----
The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau has an excellent newsletter, journal and forum. Check it out!
---Katie
The “Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible” initiative was presented. This is a series of recommendations that will push Bible study over the next several years “with the goal of raising to a new level this church’s individual and collective engagement with the Bible and its teaching, yielding greater biblical fluency, deeper worship and devotion, and a more profound appreciation of Lutheran principles and approaches for the use of Scripture.” The first recommendation which essentially rejoiced that we have the Scripture. Adopted nearly unanimously.
Recommendation 2 gives thanks for the Bible. A New York member moved to insert language (apparently to become a new paragraph after Recommendation 2) “To call members, congregations, synods, churchwide ministries, and institutions and agencies of the ELCA to explore ways to reform culture and customs in this church that will open it to a new level of valuing and being shaped by the power of the Word.” Approved by 72%.
Steven King from SW Minnesota offered an amendment, which came out of Lutheran CORE (though this was not stated by Mr. King). This amendment would change the phrase “and a more profound appreciation of principles and approaches for the use of Scripture” to “and a more profound appreciation of the distinctive Lutheran focus on God’s use of Scripture to bring sinners to repentance and salvation in Christ.” Speakers from Florida and Minnesota spoke in favor (these all lined up ahead of time by Lutheran CORE).
Bishop Burnside from Wisconsin then spoke against the amendment—it “narrows and puts into place our own intention” and “undoes what the original language tries to do.” A speaker from Montana agreed. Bishop Freiheit of Illinois moved to change the word “sinners” in the amendment to the word “all.” Theologically odd, but then this was a bishop speaking. He’s heard the word “sinner” used in some unfortunate ways. He wants all people looked upon equally in God’s eyes.
A Milwaukee member thought the amendment sounds good, but liked the word “all” better than “sinners.” Bishop Holloway from Ohio agreed.
On the amendment to strike “sinners” and put “all,” the Assembly agreed by 86%, and thus “sinners” were struck. On the amendment itself, there was further speaking. Bp. Ullestad of Iowa was against it. He didn’t like the word “distinctive,” and he also thought the amendment narrowed the use of Holy Scripture. A pastor from upstate New York spoke in favor of the amendment, but wanted to amend it by inserting the word “relationship”—so that God uses Scripture to bring “all” (now) to repentance, salvation, and relationship. Sloppy; relationship to whom, and of what kind? The amendment lost, 44% to 56%.
Bishop April Larson complained that her section couldn’t hear Bp. Ullestad, and requested a do-over. The bishop went to the mic, and apparently mouthed some silent words. Bp. Hanson pronounced him even more eloquent the second time. Then he really did his opposition speech over.
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann from NW Ohio. Another member objected to the phrase “God’s use of Scripture”—God is the author, he insisted, not the “user.” The amendment is well intended, but is afraid we’ll end up putting words in God’s mouth.
David Olson of St. Paul spoke in favor. “We must not lose sight of our [Lutheran] heritage.” Bp. Riley of New Jersey was against it, because it deletes the language about “Lutheran principles and approaches.” (Of course this is exactly the point; CORE is concerned that this opens the door to any number of principles and approaches.)
Jason Day from somewhere or the other moved that the word “repentance” in the amendment be replaced with “faith.” Someone who neglected to identify herself (so Charles refused to listen to her) moved previous question on the amendment to the amendment, and the Assembly agreed to cease debate (87%). The amendment to the amendment was approved by 54%. Makes sense; if it’s no longer about sinners, what need have we for repentance.
Melinda Wagner, Oregon Synod, spoke against the amendment. Lutherans have a unique contribution to the question of how to use Scripture. Seems to me she should have been in favor of it, then, but she wasn’t. I guess she things there’s something unique but not distinctive about the Lutheran focus.
Motion to close debate was approved, and the amendment (now more or less viscerated) was rejected, 29% to 71%. A defeat for Lutheran CORE. (My view: CORE was effective at having people lined up to support the amendment, but not so effective at anticipating the nature of the arguments that would be made against it and preparing counter arguments.)
After a motion to close debate was approved, the final recommendation on the initiative was approved by a vote of 93% to 7%. I wonder who the no votes were—people who don’t want to read the Bible, or people who thought the recommendation had holes big enough to drive the proverbial truck through and were afraid that much mischief might result from a nice-sounding resolution. (My view: sure, maybe some mischief, but never underestimate the power of God to work through his Word; getting ELCA members to read the Bible has to be a positive thing, and it will no doubt bring plenty of sinners to repentance and salvation, no matter what the resolution says!)
-----
The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau has an excellent newsletter, journal and forum. Check it out!
---Katie
Bishop Hanson reelected
on the second ballot. He missed it on the first ballot by only two votes.
The rainbow stoles came out today. They are crocheted this year, very pretty. As we went into breakfast the goodsoil folks handed out a devotional that includes stories of partnered gay pastors. In the back there is a list of "lesbian, gy, bisexual and transgender pastors, associates in ministry, seminarians, and candidates approved for ordination who have agreed to be introduced to the ELCA at its 2007 churchwide assembly." I guess this is what they were talking about regarding ministers coming out at assembly.
I actually spoke to the assembly today, speaking in favor of a motion to amend the resolution regarding the Lutherans read the Bible initiative. I did not pass out, but it is hard to figure out where to look while you are speaking, because if you look at the chair, you can see yourself out of the corner of your eye on the big screen...very disconcerting! I was hoping to give details of the amendment and how the voting went, but I left that paperwork in the assembly hall. We were trying to change language that would have allowed for a multiplicity of ways of interpreting the Bible as Lutherans. Our amendment was voted down about 70 - 30%. Traditionalists might be persona non grata this time around. We'll see.
More later!
---Katie
Oh, and the hymnals were not gifts. We get to use them, then they will go to congregations that cannot afford their own. At least I won't have to try to keep my son from burning it.
The rainbow stoles came out today. They are crocheted this year, very pretty. As we went into breakfast the goodsoil folks handed out a devotional that includes stories of partnered gay pastors. In the back there is a list of "lesbian, gy, bisexual and transgender pastors, associates in ministry, seminarians, and candidates approved for ordination who have agreed to be introduced to the ELCA at its 2007 churchwide assembly." I guess this is what they were talking about regarding ministers coming out at assembly.
I actually spoke to the assembly today, speaking in favor of a motion to amend the resolution regarding the Lutherans read the Bible initiative. I did not pass out, but it is hard to figure out where to look while you are speaking, because if you look at the chair, you can see yourself out of the corner of your eye on the big screen...very disconcerting! I was hoping to give details of the amendment and how the voting went, but I left that paperwork in the assembly hall. We were trying to change language that would have allowed for a multiplicity of ways of interpreting the Bible as Lutherans. Our amendment was voted down about 70 - 30%. Traditionalists might be persona non grata this time around. We'll see.
More later!
---Katie
Oh, and the hymnals were not gifts. We get to use them, then they will go to congregations that cannot afford their own. At least I won't have to try to keep my son from burning it.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Convention begins!
with much less of a bang than 2005!
There are/were no:
people wearing rainbow sashes.
people lining up as you walk into session with signs and posters.
procedural maneuvering to get the rules changed to be more favorable to get certain items passed. That was endless last time and made for a very late first night.
goodsoil and Lutherans Concerned are here; I've seen the signs to their meeting rooms, but they are maintaining a very low profile so far.
The most important business we will be conducting tomorrow is the election of the bishop and addressing the new Lutherans Read the Bible initiative. Chances are good that Bishop Hanson will get reelected on the first ballot, but we will see.
---Katie
Oh, and guess what was on our tables as gifts tonight? Our own ELW's!
There are/were no:
people wearing rainbow sashes.
people lining up as you walk into session with signs and posters.
procedural maneuvering to get the rules changed to be more favorable to get certain items passed. That was endless last time and made for a very late first night.
goodsoil and Lutherans Concerned are here; I've seen the signs to their meeting rooms, but they are maintaining a very low profile so far.
The most important business we will be conducting tomorrow is the election of the bishop and addressing the new Lutherans Read the Bible initiative. Chances are good that Bishop Hanson will get reelected on the first ballot, but we will see.
---Katie
Oh, and guess what was on our tables as gifts tonight? Our own ELW's!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Chicago is going to be very interesting.
The pro-change forces are pulling out all the stops. Check this out:
That's One Big Closet: More than 80 Ministers to Come Out
Are you serious, I thought when I heard the voice mail. More than 80 Lutheran ministers will go public with their homosexual identity next week? Mind you, these clergy members serve a comparatively liberal branch of Lutheranism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. But still, many of those coming out on Tuesday are in homosexual relationships, and the ELCA restricts ordination to heterosexuals who are faithful in marriage or celibate homosexuals. As it happens, the ELCA will be debating the issue of dropping the celibacy requirement for gay ministers at its biennial assembly next week in Chicago.
I got the phone message about next week’s press conference from a fellow with Lutherans Concerned/North America, a group that supports people of “all sexual orientations and gender identities.”
Now again, this is the liberal Lutheran denomination — not the Missouri Synod, which takes a much harsher stance on homosexuality. But still, the ELCA, like most mainline Protestant churches, does have a celibacy rule. And if church leaders don’t change that policy at this convention, aren’t these folks putting their collars on the line?
This is the current sexual conduct policy for ELCA ministers:
Married ordained ministers are expected to live in fidelity to their spouses, giving expression to sexual intimacy within a marriage relationship that is mutual, chaste, and faithful. Ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships.
------
Looks like they are going all out to make sure this passes this time. Pray for all of the voting members. Help us to be wise and stand firm on God's Word.
----Katie
That's One Big Closet: More than 80 Ministers to Come Out
Are you serious, I thought when I heard the voice mail. More than 80 Lutheran ministers will go public with their homosexual identity next week? Mind you, these clergy members serve a comparatively liberal branch of Lutheranism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. But still, many of those coming out on Tuesday are in homosexual relationships, and the ELCA restricts ordination to heterosexuals who are faithful in marriage or celibate homosexuals. As it happens, the ELCA will be debating the issue of dropping the celibacy requirement for gay ministers at its biennial assembly next week in Chicago.
I got the phone message about next week’s press conference from a fellow with Lutherans Concerned/North America, a group that supports people of “all sexual orientations and gender identities.”
Now again, this is the liberal Lutheran denomination — not the Missouri Synod, which takes a much harsher stance on homosexuality. But still, the ELCA, like most mainline Protestant churches, does have a celibacy rule. And if church leaders don’t change that policy at this convention, aren’t these folks putting their collars on the line?
This is the current sexual conduct policy for ELCA ministers:
Married ordained ministers are expected to live in fidelity to their spouses, giving expression to sexual intimacy within a marriage relationship that is mutual, chaste, and faithful. Ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships.
------
Looks like they are going all out to make sure this passes this time. Pray for all of the voting members. Help us to be wise and stand firm on God's Word.
----Katie
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