Resolved, that rather than limiting ourselves to one resolution of our disagreements, we continue to “invest the talents” given us in those places where call is extended to and received by partnered sexual minority persons and discern the working of the Spirit through the lived experience of God’s people; and be it further
Resolved, that in furtherance of the goal of “finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements”, the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly partner with the Metropolitan New York Synod in endorsing and calling for restraint in the administration of those ELCA policies that address the full service of partnered sexual minority persons in rostered ministry, in order that the ministry of such persons to and with our congregations may be seen and we may discern whether God “prospers the work of their hands” [Ps. 90:17] and they may be “[known] by their fruits” [Matthew 7:16,20]; and be it further
Resolved, that the Sierra Pacific Synod join the Metropolitan New York Synod in requesting other synods to join us in endorsing the practice of restraint in the administration of policies applicable only to sexual minority rostered persons as a part of the continuing discernment process of the ELCA so that a number of ministries across the church may be looked to as exemplars through which our synods and the ELCA may evaluate the spiritual health and welfare of congregations and communities served by openly partnered sexual minority ministers; and be it further
Resolved, that in this time of disagreement and discernment all members of the ELCA earnestly pray: “Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” [Morning and Evening Prayer, LBW Prayer (251)]
Submitted by:
Shepherd of the Hills, Berkeley
University Chapel, Berkeley
St. Paul, Oakland
AND
RESOLVED, that in furtherance of the goal of "finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements" the Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly endorses, and calls for, prophetic witness and disciplinary restraint by the Saint Paul Area Synod bishop, synod council, candidacy committee, and disciplinary committee in the administration of policies that impede the full service of partnered gay and lesbian persons in rostered ministry, in order that the ministry of such persons to and with our congregations may be seen and we may discern how God "prospers the work of their hands" (Ps 90:17) and they may be "(known) by their fruits" (Mt. 7;16, 20); and be it further
RESOLVED, it is the guidance of this synod that in the administration of policies that impede the full service in ministry of partnered gay and lesbian persons, this synod shall be guided by how the mission and pastoral needs of this synod and its congregations would best be served, and be it further
RESOLVED, that this guidance in no way applies to any relationship where there is abuse, infidelity, or exploitation of one person by another; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul Area Synod requests other synods and ELCA seminaries to join us in endorsing the practice of prophetic witness and disciplinary restraint in the administration of policies regarding gay and lesbian persons as a part of the continuing discernment process of the ELCA; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that in this time of living together faithfully, all members of the ELCA may earnestly pray: "Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (Morning and Evening Prayer, LBW Prayer (251))
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3 comments:
I understand the Saint-Paul Minneapolis synod voted to approve that resolution. Did Sierra Pacific do the same? Who else has voted for disobedience?
My count is three (four if one includes Ms. Payne's synod which is blessing same-sex unions). New Jersey, Saint Paul, Metro New York.
Peace in the Lord!
Rob Buechler
Sierra Pacific resolution above was ruled out of order by their bishop. The count of those refusing to comply with our consitition and the decisions of the Orlando Churchwide Assembly is now four: Minneapolis Area, St. Paul Area, New Jersey and Metro NY.
Actually, there was last day shenanigins and I think SP makes it five synods so far that are more interested in pursuing an agenda than staying constitutional:
"Final morning of Sierra Pacific Assembly: resolution submitted with the resolve:
that this Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly commends the office of the Bishop of this Synod for its exercise of the discretion explicitly granted by the ELCA's governing documents, and encourages that the Bishop's office continue to be guided by restraint in the administration of htose policies only applicable to sexual minority rostered persons.
Step 1: A motion was needed to change the orders of the day so that a resolution could be considered at this morning's plenary session. Passed with 2/3 majority.
Step 2: A motion was needed to consider this resolution, since it was submitted after the deadline. Passed with 2/3 majority.
Step 3: Discussion and vote on the resolution. (The bishop had relinquished the chair and expressed his appreciation for the commendation, but because of the polorization that could come from the resolution, spoke against its passage.) The "card" vote was taken, the vice-president (serving as chair) thought it was defeated, a division was called for. With the count, the resolution passed: 162 yes; 146 no."
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