The Synod Council of the Northeastern Iowa Synod ACTS

Bishop Mark Hanson
ELCA Church Council

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has engaged in a comprehensive and important study over the past four years examining the theological, biblical, sociological, scientific, and ecclesiological issues surrounding the blessing of same-sex unions and the possible ordination within the ELCA of partnered gay and lesbian persons, with a view toward a possible change in the policies of our church regarding these matters. It has been a process that has been undertaken with great seriousness and respect by people with widely diverging viewpoints. It has been a process which has engaged a large number of people across the ELCA, with more people responding to the study produced as a part of this process than to any other study that has been done in the ELCA. At the Churchwide Assembly in August of 2005, the voting members engaged in a discussion and debate concerning this issue which was remarkable for its civility and respect. After much debate and deliberation, the assembly declined to accept the proposal put forward which would have provided for the ordination and rostering of partnered gay and lesbian persons under certain circumstances.

Given the actions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly, we note with concern the recent actions of the Metropolitan New York Synod which, in our judgment, has the effect of undermining this process and the decisions which were made at the Churchwide Assembly in August. The proposals adopted at their special synod assembly in October would put into place a process for the ordination and rostering of partnered gay and lesbian persons which would clearly contradict the decisions made by the Churchwide Assembly for the whole ELCA.

Therefore, we, the Synod Council of the Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA, urge you, Bishop Hanson, and the ELCA Church Council, to initiate a consultation process with the Metropolitan New York Synod with regard to their actions taken in October, with the end that the decisions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA be implemented in the Metropolitan New York Synod in good faith.

Yours in Christ,

Northeastern Iowa Synod Council