RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE ACTIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN NEW YORK SYNOD: "initiate a consultation process"

RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE ACTIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN NEW YORK SYNOD SPECIAL ASSEMBLY IN OCTOBER

WHEREAS, the ELCA has engaged in a four year study examining the possibility of making changes to the policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian persons, and

WHEREAS, the ELCA Church Council proposed to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly the adoption of a process whereby "exceptions" to the prohibition of the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian persons to the rostered ministry of the ELCA could be made, and

WHEREAS, the ELCA in assembly in August of 2005 rejected this proposal, keeping in place the present policy which prohibits the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian persons, and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan New York Synod in special assembly in October of 2005 approved resolutions which call for "restraint in the administration of those policies that address the full service of partnered gay and lesbian persons in rostered ministry" and "requests other synods to join us in endorsing the practice of restraint" and determines that "the guidance of this Synod with regard solely to the
fact that an otherwise-qualified candidate for rostered ministry is in a loving, committed, same-gender relationship, is for the Candidacy Committee of this Synod to determine the matter primarily on the basis of whether the mission and pastoral needs of this Synod would be best served by accepting that candidate’s gifts for ministry" and establishes " that in every disciplinary action (including applications of ELCA
Constitution 9.23) solely concerning the fact that a rostered leader is in a loving, committed, same-gender relationship" a set of criteria is to be used which precludes the enforcement of the ELCA policy regarding homosexual relationships, and

WHEREAS, these resolutions have the cumulative effect of establishing within the Metropolitan New York Synod the possibility of ordaining and rostering partnered gay and lesbian persons, which was specifically rejected by the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, and of encouraging other synods to do likewise, and

WHEREAS, such actions would impair our common life as a church, undermine the decision-making process within the ELCA, and, specifically, render the past four years of study, deliberation, and decision on these issues to be irrelevant, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Synod Council of the Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA, express our disappointment and concern with regard to these actions by the Metropolitan New York Synod through the following communication to Bishop Mark Hanson and the ELCA Church Council:

(Adopted by Northeastern Iowa Synod Council, ELCA on 11/19/2005 by a
vote of 15 - Yes, 1 - No.)



(A copy of the letter that was sent to Bishop Hanson and the ELCA Church Council from the NE Iowa Synod Council)

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