Lutheran (EL
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Posted on 08/22/2009 4:30:39 PM PDT by lightman
The afternoon session began with greetings from Jill Schumann, executive of Lutheran Services in America.
They moved then to the 4th ballot for Vice President, on which 60% is required to be elected. The ballot was declared invalid because of the number of malfunctioning machines. The ballot was taken again. The results: Carlos Pena 580 Ryan Schwarz 264 Norma Hirsch 110
My take: Schwarz picked up most of Benne’s votes, Hirsch stayed fairly constant, but most of the rest of the votes for other candidates swung back to Pena, thinking that status quo was better than a radical change in either direction. Note that Pena just barely had the 60% required, but if it had gone to a fifth ballot, there is little question that he would have been elected then.
The assembly heard greetings from Lutheran Men in Mission. Then, equal time and all that, greetings from the president of Women of the ELCA.
Throughout the assembly we have seen videos on the theme “God’s work, our hands,” submitted in a contest by congregations and individuals around the church. Now we saw the two “winners” in the contest. These have been sometimes funny, sometimes touching, sometimes rather silly, but it was a pretty good way to invite folks into the tag line in a creative manner. The concluding video was about a Lutheran camp in Florida which has a week each summer when they bring several dozen foster children. It featured a story of a boy who had been hanging back, not participating in anything. A maintenance guy asked him to come help do some chores, and soon the boy was weed-whacking the camp’s property. That night he came up to the maintenance guy and said, “This was the best day of my life!” God’s work, our hands.
The elections chair conducted the second “common ballot,” the run-offs for the four contests for which there was no election on the first ballot.
The assembly then went into another quasi committee of the whole to discuss “the evangelical mission of this church and our witness going forward.” This was structured as a sort of interactive Bible study of Mark 2.1-11, the story of the paralytic, led by Stephen Bouman and PB, and mostly involving table discussion.
The assembly next took up some constitution and bylaws amendments. The first was a set of amendments that would call for certain minimum representation of youth and young adults at all levels of the ELCA. Pr. Judith Boggs, SW Penn, tried to offer an amendment to one of the continuing resolutions, which apparently would eliminate the specific definitions of youth and young adult. The chair ruled it out of order because she had not submitted the amendment. There was parliamentary confusion. Another member said he had tried to bring a similar amendment in writing, and was told it was not possible. The bishop invited Pr. Boggs to challenge the ruling of the chair, and she did so. The ruling of the chair was sustained, and the amendment died. Josh Toufer, NW Wisc. spoke in favor of the amendments. Heidi Buzzard, NE Penn., spoke against. This week has been emotionally and physically exhausted. Many youth and young adults not prepared for this kind of work would not find this a rewarding experience. My brother attended two assemblies, and partly as a result of his experience, is not longer in the ELCA.
Nicolette Faison, LYO President, spoke at the resource mic. I’m 17 years old, and I’m a leader. People in the youth convo—14, 15, 16, and they are leaders. We make judgments all the time, we speak, we debate. Let our voices be heard!
Pr. John Carrier, SE MN, against this because there is no provision for making this happen. We need to have a provision to do this. Secretary Swartling noted that the Church Council and Synod Councils are charged with finding ways to make it happen. Pr. Mark Lepper, Minneapolis, spoke in favor. Caleb Jaleski, N. Tx./La, spoke against because it treats the youth differently. My synod elected 4 persons under thirty to this assembly—more than 10 percent. Equality is not achieved through affirmative action.
Vanessa Unti , NW Washington spoke in favor. As a Lutheran college student, I struggle to find my place in the church. My hope is that we pass this and use the strength and knowledge of our youth. Clare Swenson, NW MN raised a question about making amendments and PB responded, and ruled out of order. There was more parliamentary confusion.
Emily Wyman, NE MN spoke in favor. Meredith Nelson Tx.-La. Gulf coast spoke against, particularly the young adult component. Young adults are already adults, and don’t need to be a separate category. I’m concerned about judgment of young youth. Many of the items discussed this week have very heavy implications, and while they should be part of the process, I do not recommend they necessarily be voting members. Rebecca Krentz-Wee, New England, spoke in favor. When I was a senior in high school, I was the first one from my congregation to volunteer. The nominating committee decided to send someone older. Ironically, it was at that assembly that I was elected to churchwide! Going to synod assemblies is a gift, both for the youth and for those around us. We learn from what others say, and our energy and enthusiasm also make a contribution.
Pr. Steven Frock, W Ia., spoke against. Having diversity as a goal is unworthy of a Christian church. Our goal ought to be one thing only: proclaim Christ, and seek the kingdom. If we seek the kingdom, all things will be added. Adding yet another quota is wrong direction; we should be removing existing quotas instead. Joyce Partika, Indiana/Ky, spoke in favor, as a student at an ELCA college and a youth director in a congregation. Roy Gibbs, NW Ohio, I’m opposed; those under 18 do not have the maturity for serving in this way. Sarah Gross, Oregon. Not long ago I was convinced the only place for a young adult in the church to serve was as a camp counselor. Pr. David Brobston, NW Ohio. I wish my children had been here to experience this. I have 8 youth in my congregation that could have handled this stamina-wise. But I rise to oppose this, because the timing of the assembly makes it unrealistic. We should not invite youth and young adults at a time when they cannot attend. Brandon McCall, SE PA Synod. Youth and young adults have had a voice, but it seem that anyone is listening. Amanda Marenchin, NE OH. I am a young adult, but I stand in opposition. When I was elected, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. I’ve grown in many ways this week, but I feel that many my age would not be able to make decisions.
Molly Beck Dean, SE PA synod. As a youth worker, I can tell you that youth have many ways to serve, many things to say. Pr. Mark Olsen, Metro DC spoke in favor: as a seminary admissions director, I spend a lot of time talking with young adults, and also with my own children. These amendments aren’t about tokenism, but greater intentionality. Joshua Kelly, SE Penn spoke in favor. Garrett Baker, Upper Susq., did as well. And so did Sarah Comi, E. Wash/Id. [Comment from Pr. Austin: “Young people are not ready for this until they learn how to move the previous question.”] Allison Guttu, Metro NY, urged support. Jacob Chavara, SW PA did too. And Will Ostrem, E-C Wis. OK, I’m done with this. I’ll predict this will pass. I’m going out for a stretch break.
While I was gone, they passed the amendments overwhelmingly. Now we’re into a series of people abusing the concept of “point of personal privilege” by making speeches that have nothing to do with anything on the floor or on the agenda. I’ll spare you the details.
The memorials committee chair now came to the podium, and the assembly continued the discussion of the memorial on Palestine. There had been an amendment proposed but not discussed, and the maker of the motion came to the mic to support it (didn’t catch his name). This amendment wants to emphasize the “balanced care for all parties” in the Palestinian conflict that the ELCA has already called for. There was a motion to end debate on all matters before the house, and it was sustained. The amendment was approved, 505-299. The amended resolution was adopted, 690-125.
The next memorial was a call for a social statement on human disability. Pr. Bruce Davidson, NJ, moved a substitute, which essentially returned to words from the memorial from the NJ synod instead of the changes made by the memorials committee. The memorials committee had suggested requesting a “message” instead of a social statement (which is something that can be approved by the church council, and requires less of a process of engagement across the church). [I do not have the text in front of me, so I’m basing this on the verbal discussion.] Davidson wants a social statement, to come to the 2017 CWA. Bp. Craig Johnson, Minneapolis. I am the parent of a disabled young adult, and we’ve worked at programs for disabled people through the years. It is essential for this church to care for the least of these, the most vulnerable. We must do this as soon as possible, so I support the recommendation of the memorials committee.
Pr. Roger Spencer, NJ, argued for the NJ synod substitute. I have a disable daughter, and she has brought gifts to my congregation. She wants and needs this social statement and so do I to help all congregations help serve people with special needs, and to receive the ministry of people with special needs. Pr. Duane Miller, SE IA, opposed substitute because the needs of people with special needs are already addressed in other social statements. He asked resource people to contrast cost and time line of message versus social statement. She responded that a message can be done within a year to 18 months, for about $20,000. A social statement takes five years, at about $30,000 per year. There are currently two messages and two social statements in the pipeline.
Connie Kilmark, SC Wisc., in favor of substitute. We often think of our ministry to people with special needs in a paternalistic ways. There are evangelism implications to a comprehensive view that cannot be accomplished with simply a message. Pr. Susan Candea, Rocky Mtn., supported the recommendation of the memorials committee. At this point to be making a major decision without serious reflection is rushing the process. Pr. Giselle Carvalho Coutinho, NJ. In favor of substitute motion. Studies show that a high percentage of families of disabled persons do not have a church home. Is this the gospel? As a severely dyslexic person, I am often asked, “How can you be a pastor? You can’t read God’s word.” This shows the need for this social statement. Pr. Reyna Purcell opposed the substitute; it is looking to far into the future, and we’re tying the hands of future assemblies. Pr. Cindy Breed, SE IA. I’m a person who is mobility restricted. Many congregations do not look at ways in which their facilities are problematic for those with disabilities, especially mental illness and unseen disabilities. I encourage a social statement.
Previous question on all matters before the house was moved, and the house sustained it. The house voted NOT to substitute the NJ resolution, 288-585. The main motion, to request a “message” on persons with disabilities, was approved, 785-88. That completes the work of the memorials committee.
Now to Reference and Counsel. They brought a motion that removes reference to the “Batak Special Interest Conference of North America” from a bylaw because it is obsolete.
Eric Peterson moved adoption of all remaining recommendations of Reference and Counsel; and where they have not made recommendations, the resolutions be adopted as presented (which he says are mainly resolutions of courtesy and thanks). PB cautioned that the present resolution, which is a bylaws change, requires 2/3, and needs to be acted upon separately. Debate was closed on the Batak Special Interest Conference, and the motion was adopted, 845-15.
The Peterson motion was then taken up. PB noted that there was one further bylaw amendment requiring 2/3, so Peterson excluded that one from his motion. The Peterson motion was adopted 834-45. The final bylaw change was taken up, which amends bylaws to permit preassembly material to be distributed electronically. An amendment was proposed by Pr. Katrina Foster (Metro NY) that would call upon all materials to be put on CD and mailed to voting members, members be encouraged to bring lap tops, etc. Secretary Swartling raised legal and logistical problems for 2011. Pr. Foster withdrew the amendment. Bylaw amendment adopted.
Now as we move into the final stuff, I’m going to post this and if anything stunning happens, I’ll add it. Looks like no session tomorrow morning, so this is it for the blow by blow. If I manage some concluding thoughts tomorrow, I’ll post them.
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Part of the reunion involved exchanges of stories from those who recalled them and there was much talk of how the old German Lutherans celebrated Christ's birthday.
One story told of my great uncle who was very ill and in a hospital and lay in his hospital bed dying singing My Faith Looks up to Thee.
The story goes nurses were standing in the door way with tears running down their eyes.
How far my great grandparents' church has slid.
He died on Christmas Eve, the same night my cousin was born.
THAT is the true meaning of Christmas:
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
"Will someone please open up a window!"
That can be taken several ways!
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