Pondering Pastor

First, thank you to all who read and commented on the efforts to record for you some of the significant elements of the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. This was a huge undertaking, and one that was facilitated by the ELCA Communications people, especially Mim Woolbert and Paul Edison-Swift. This would not have been possible in this detail had the ELCA not decided to publish a caption feed of the Assembly, which I could capture (most of the time). Please note that I did not blog the entire Assembly. I was able to watch the webcasts and comment on those actions, but the Assembly is so much more than the actual time doing the official business of the church. In another forum, these kinds of comments were made …

• The first gift I received at the Assembly was affirmation by God’s Spirit that the congregation I serve is truly being guided by the Holy Spirit.
• The second gift I received was that my Synod is truly blest.
• The third gift I received was experiencing a wonderful connection to the members of the ELCA. What a wonderful church we have! THANKS BE TO GOD!
• The CWA, all in all, was more like a “spiritual retreat” for me than a “business meeting.”
• I was involved in MANY informal conversations about a number of issues, including the sexuality issue. I got separated quite a few times from people in my group, and wound up being at worship and having meals with people from all over the country with many different views. I am fully confident that the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding the ELCA.

And it is precisely that which I cannot write about this time around, doing this from a distance.I love this church. I care that we are so divided in matters related to human sexuality. I’d like to see the “sides” get together and find ways to agree, to find common ground. I’ll be doing what I can to make that happen.

We are not as divided as we think.  Pastor Zip served as a “page” at the Assembly.  Note this post on his blog.

Pondering Pastor

Once again, early Saturday morning, my spouse and I went kayaking on part of the river system emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. Here we were about 10 miles from Baltimore, closer to Annapolis in a large metropolitan area, surrounded by expensive waterfront property and not isolated in any way. To our delight, we were able to see the Bald Eagle that had been reported in the area … and snap some photos.

Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding

An amendment was proposed encouraging congregations to provide 10% of income to Mission Support.  Amendment failed.  Vote on original motion plus one previous amendment passed 623-52.

Lutheran Services in America

Presentation by Bishop Gregory Pile and Mr. Ted Goins, Jr.

Consideration of Memorials

All matters in D4:  Requests of Churchwide Units

There was a request that Lutheran Disaster Relief Funds might be used to repair churches … centers of community recovery efforts.  After an exchange of information, and a report that a consultation is taking place in late September/early October, the concern and an amendment was withdrawn.  D4 was passed unchanged 627-12.

En Bloc Memorials passed 595-12.

Motion from the floor to ask that the Conference of Bishops enter into discussion about the accountability of Bishops to the adopted policies, practices, and procedures of the ELCA and report to the 2009 Assembly. Ruled germane. Passed 318-309.

Report of the Reference and Counsel Committee [I do not have the wording on these motions]

• HIV/AIDS Funding passed 586-13
• Budget Surplus for Campus Ministry passed 558-23
• Green Assemblies, refer to Office of the Secretary for electronic distribution of Assembly materials passed 555-40
• En Bloc approved Motion D: Appreciation for Presiding Bishop Hanson; Motion E: Appreciation for Vice President Pena; Motion F: Appreciation for Secretary Almen; Motion G: Appreciation for Treasurer Jackson-Skelton; Motion H: Resolution of Appreciation and Thanksgiving

2009 Churchwide Assembly begins August 17, 2009 in Minneapolis.