ELCA Sexuality Task Force Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This update from the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality provides a reminder of dates to keep in mind and information to help you stay informed about the work of the task force.

Throughout the summer, task force members have been receiving responses, reports and open letters from many ELCA members and groups. By the November 1 deadline the task force also will have sent task force representatives to more than 110 synodical hearings.

The task force will meet November 7-8, 2008, and again January 23-25, 2009, to consider revisions to the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality and to discuss further the report mandated by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to address policies that "preclude practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this church."

By February 18, 2009, the task force will conclude its work on both the proposed social statement on human sexuality and the report. On this day a confidential preview will be made available to rostered leaders. On February 19 the two documents will be made available publicly, and will be sent to the ELCA Church Council for its consideration and action to place them on the agenda of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, August 17-23, 2009.

Below please find important dates leading to action at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. For updates and additional resources visit www.elca.org/FaithfulJourney.

Please continue to lift up the task force and advisory members in your prayers as this church embarks on the final phase of this journey together.

Kind regards,
Rebecca Larson, Executive Director
Church in Society program unit
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America


2008
November 1
Deadline for responses to the task force

November 7-8
Task force meets

2009
January 23-25
Task force’s final meeting

February 18 (noon Central time)
Confidential preview for rostered leaders of Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality and Report on Rostering Recommendations

February 19 (noon Central time)
Public release of Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality and Report on Rostering Recommendations

March 27-30
ELCA Church Council reviews work of task force and will be asked to RECOMMEND the finalized text of the Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality with implementing resolutions, and the Report on Rostering Recommendations. It will be asked to direct that these be placed on the Churchwide Assembly 2009 agenda.

April 2
ELCA Church Council‘s finalized text of RECOMMENDED proposed social statement with implementing resolutions and RECOMMENDED report on rostering published online.

April 20 (target date)
Spanish translations of finalized texts published online.

April-June
Synod assemblies discuss and respond to both the RECOMMENDED proposed social statement with implementing resolutions and the RECOMMENDED report on rostering.

August 17-23
ELCA Churchwide Assembly considers both the recommended proposed social statement with implementing resolutions and the recommended report on rostering.