Minneapolis tornado rips Lutheran conference on gays in the church (Pics)

Here’s the church… Where’s the steeple?

The inverted Cross atop Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis dangled from the steeple on Wednesday following a rare downtown twister as the ELCA Churchwide Assembly was in legislative session across the street at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Things that make you go, hmmm…

Countless spiritual souls over the ages have commented on seeing God in all things. So, how about manifestations of physical evils found within nature, or, as the American justice system calls them: Acts of God… Perhaps a lesson from the fig tree — re-reading Mark 13: 5-6, 28-29 — occured Wednesday on 3rd street in downtown Minneapolis, Mn.

First, this from the Catholic News Agency yesterday:

THE NORTH PLAZA HAD BEEN SET AS "THE CARILLON CAFE" WITH SEATING FOR 200 AND SERVING STATIONS UNDER TWO LARGE TENTS.

Minneapolis, Minn., Aug 18, 2009 / 11:38 pm (CNA).- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is considering a proposal that would allow members in homosexual relationships to serve as clergy. It has denied a motion to require a higher proportion of votes for the proposal to pass.

On Monday delegates gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center rejected a proposal to require approval from a two-thirds supermajority instead of a simple majority when the measure comes to a final vote, expected on Friday.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson cautioned earlier in the day that the outcome of the majority versus supermajority vote shouldn’t be seen as strongly indicating how the debate will be decided.

EQUIPMENT AND PARTS OF THE MASSIVE TENT THAT WAS "PUB CENTRAL" WAS BLOWN INTO THIRD AVENUE.

Supporters of the high threshold for passage said it was necessary to signal wide support for a major change in the church’s approach to homosexuality. About 43 percent of the 1,045 voting delegates supported the higher standard, the Associated Press says.

Other topics of consideration include a broader statement on sexuality, a 34-page document that reportedly would establish a theological framework for differing views of homosexuality. Critics say it would liberalize the ELCA.

The ELCA claims about 4.7 million members and 10,000 congregations in the United States.

Coincidence, or, co-incidents?

Consideration of the proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality document was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 19, at 2:oo p.m.

According to the website of the Central Lutheran Church located across the street from the conference center, where the assembly was in session, the tornado passed through downtown Minneapolis near CLC at, you guessed it, approximately 2:00 p.m…

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