Peace, Be Still [My CWA sermon]

I owe a debt of gratitude to Barbara Lundblad for her amazing commentary on this passage during the Goodsoil Worship service at Churchwide Assembly. I stole many of her ideas and adapted them to fit my congregation. It was the message my church needed to hear this week! Thanks Barbara!!!

CELEBRATION OF HOPE AND HEALING Mark 4:35-41 David Eck
08/30/09

I. Our gospel lesson for this morning begins with the statement
---"On that day when evening had come, Jesus said to them,
---"Let us go across to the other side."

For those of us who may be a little bit geographically challenged,
---The "other side" of Lake Galilee was the land of the Gerasenes
---Which, roughly translated, means "over against Galilee"

This was Gentile territory, the land of the "heathens."
---It was the place where God-fearing Jews
---Did not want to travel

It was the place where "those kind of people" lived.
---And so, I'm sure the disciples looked at Jesus a bit perplexed
---When he told them he desired to travel there

Over the past eight years the ELCA has been issuing a similar call
---For us to "go across to the other side."
---Some in the ELCA have been a bit perplexed
---As to why we would travel to such a place

Others listened to Jesus' request
---And even if they were hesitant
---Decided to get in the boat anyway

God's people often hesitate to go to the other side.
---Whether it's a call to minister the homeless,
---Victims of domestic violence,
---The poor, illegal immigrants,
---Those without the benefit of health care insurance
---Or the LGBT community

We like to surround ourselves with those who agree with us
---With those who look like us and think like us

We even select our newspapers and televisions stations
---Based upon our beliefs
---And rarely consult those
---Whom we view as being on the other side

However, if I've learned one thing about Jesus
---In my twenty plus years of ministry
---[Beside the fact that he passionately loves ALL his children]
---It is the fact that Jesus rarely allows us to remain
---In places that are comfortable and secure

He often calls us to places that challenge us
---And help us to grow.
---He calls us to places that are out of our personal comfort zones
---Because this is where he went while we has here on earth;
---Smashing through barriers of culture, class, sex and race
---In order to transform everyone with the radical, inclusive love of God

And so, this past week the ELCA decided to get into the boat
---And travel to the other side.
---Some of us not sure why were were going there.
---Others convinced that this boat trip was long overdue.

II. The story continues:
---"And leaving the crowd behind,
---They took him with them in the boat, just as he was.
--- Other boats were with him."

This is certainly an unusual detail in the story
---Mark is the only gospel to contain the phrase
---"Other boats were with him."

To be honest with you, I'm not exactly sure why it is there
---But I do know that last week several boats embarked on the journey
---With names such as Goodsoil and Lutheran CORE.
---Some who were in these separate boats
---Did not want to travel together at all.
---Others had hoped and prayed that we could "journey together faithfully"
---As many of our ELCA documents over the past few years have suggested

And so, there were many boats on the ELCA waters at Churchwide Assembly
---Some were tethered together
---Others were content to sail alone

III. The story continues:
---"A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat,
---So that the boat was already being swamped."

Those of you who read my blog while I was at Churchwide last week
---Know that Gary & I found ourselves
---Less than 100 yards from a tornado
---That traveled near Central Lutheran Church
---And ran through downtown Minneapolis for about 1.3 miles

We were standing outside in the car port of the Hilton Garden Inn.
---It was raining and the concierge had just handed us an umbrella
---So that we could travel across the street to the Convention Center.

I remember looking up toward the spires on Central Lutheran Church
---And saw debris floating through the sky in a circular pattern
---In that instant I remember thinking to myself
---"Something about that sky is just not right"
---One or two seconds later the circular pattern began to tighten
---And I either thought or yelled out loud
---"It's a tornado"

We both ran back into the hotel lobby
---As deeply as we could go
---Staying far away from the glass doors and windows of the hotel

As I looked back I could see that the wind
---Had whipped itself into a fury.
---I remember thinking if we had left the hotel 30 second earlier
---We would have been right in the middle of that storm.

Thanks be to God, no one was hurt in that tornado!
---The cross on one of the spires of the church was bent,
---Trees were uprooted and limbs were broken,
---An outdoor cafe where tables and chairs once stood
---Was utterly demolished
---Along with the dining canopy where the food was served

Later, I would learn that some of those chairs and tables
---Were tossed onto the roof of the Convention Center
---And I remember thanking God that I was not tossed onto that roof myself

And so a a great windstorm literally arose in Minneapolis.
---But there was also another windstorm that arose
---On the Assembly floor during the Plenary Sessions
---And it lasted for days on end

It was a cacophony of words:
---Some were gracious and passionate,
---Others were hurtful and self-righteous

I sat through that storm and witnessed every word of the conversation.
---It was a LONG week

IV. The story continues:
---"But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion;
---And they woke him up and said to him,
---"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

How many times I heard these words
---Spoken from the Assembly floor this past week:

"Do you not care about tearing this denomination apart?
---Do you not care about what the Bible says?

Do you not care about the pain of gay, lesbian and transgendered Lutherans
---Who have felt unwelcomed for far too long?
---Do you not care about the pastors whose gifts have been rejected
---And whose ordinations have been revoked?

Do you not care about MY feelings?
---Do you not care about MY church?
---Do you not care?

And so the windstorm of words continued at a furious pace
---Until all of us were a little bit frightened
---No matter where we stood on the resolutions
---That were brought before the Assembly

Yet, in the midst of this word-storm we also prayed.
---We prayed a lot; in small groups and as individuals.
---We prayed our way through daily services of Holy Communion
---We prayed every 20 minutes during the debates
---We prayed before and after each and every vote
---On the Assembly floor

We prayed just like those frightened disciples prayed
---One Lake Galilee, perhaps wondering if Jesus was asleep
---While we were being battered by the wind and waves

V. The story continues:
---Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
---"Peace be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
---He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"
---And they were filled with great awe and said to one another,
---"Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

This text was read at the Goodsoil Celebration of Word and Sacrament
---The night after the tornado hit downtown Minneapolis,
---The night after the Sexuality Statement passed by a 2/3 super majority

Central Lutheran Church was packed.
---People were hanging from the balconies
---And as I processed down the aisle during the opening hymn
---The love and joy and spirit I felt in that room
---Almost knocked me over

I processed with gay and lesbian pastors like myself
---Who are still on the rolls of the ELCA
---And are pondering what the next step will be
---As we journey to the other side of the lake

I processed with others who were forcefully, and often ungraciously,
---Removed from the roster of the ELCA
---And are now discerning if they want to get back in the boat again
---And wonder who will welcome and call them
---And celebrate the gifts they have for ministry in our church

I processed with straight allies
---Who fought so passionately for us on the Assembly floor
---And who have discerned that, indeed, Jesus was calling the ELCA
---To journey to the other side of the lake

I processed surrounded by the love and prayers of
---Delegates and visitors who represent people like you;
---Who believe the time has come for full equality in the church
---For our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters

Who believe that we should be included in all ministries of the church
---From pastors to janitors, from Council presidents to ushers,
---From committee chairs to choir directors


Brothers and sisters in Christ, that day has come!
---Words cannot possibly express how much I love
---Each and every one of you

I thank you for your love and support.
---I thank you for believing in me
---And continuing to reaffirm my call as your pastor.

I thank you for supporting my family,
---Gary, Jason & Michael Dawn,
---Even though we may look a bit different from yours

I thank you for being Christ to me
---And constantly reminding me
---That I, too, am a beloved child of God
---And have a place in the ELCA along with everyone else

I would not be standing here today
---If it was not for your love and support.
---I would have left the ELCA a long time ago

But for whatever reason, you heard Jesus' call
---To get in the boat and go to the other side.
---You invited me to journey with you
---And I am eternally grateful

VI. Our gospel lesson tells us that
---Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
---"Peace be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
---He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"

The interesting thing about the day the Social Statement passed
---Is that some crazy preachers said that the tornado
---Was a sign of God's displeasure with the Lutheran Church

All I can say in response to this is how do you explain
---That after the vote was cast and the Sexuality Statement was passed
---The winds ceased, the sky cleared and sun began to shine? Hmmm.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a new day in the ELCA;
---A day when our denomination decided
---That it is the cross of Christ that hold us together


A day where we have proclaimed that
---The love and forgiveness we have experienced in Jesus
---Extends to everyone and not just a select view

It is a day when we can truly live out the words of welcome
---That are found on the first page of Abiding Savior's web site
---And on each and every bulletin we print:
---"We believe that everyone is welcome at Abiding Savior
---No matter who they are or where they are on life's journey"

As a community of faith, we have always lived by these words
---And now we have a denomination that embraces those words as well
---All I can say to that is "Thanks be to God!"

VII. I'm sure that most of you are asking the question
---"What does all this mean for us as a congregation?
---What does this mean for us as a denomination?"

There are several observations I'd like to make
---As I try to discern where the Spirit may be leading us
---Both as a denomination and as a congregation

First of all, I ask each and every one of you
---To commit yourselves to daily prayer
---For Bishop Hanson and his staff,
---As well as Synodical bishops and their staffs
---As they navigate the challenging days ahead of them

I also ask you to pray for our conservative brothers and sisters
---Who see this as the end of the ELCA rather than a bright, new beginning

They are going to meet in September
---To decide whether they will leave the ELCA
---Or attempt to form a conservative Synod within our church

They have already asked those who support them
---To withhold their benevolence to the ELCA
---And their pain is deep and visceral

I ask you to pray that in the midst of their emotional windstorm
---They would hear Jesus' words "Peace, be still."
---I ask you to pray that they would hear the call to get into the boat with us
---And journey to the other side

I ask you to pray that they would understand that
---It is the cross of Jesus Christ that holds us all together in love;
---That we can journey together as one
---In spite of differences of opinion on many issues
---And not just the issue of human sexuality.

Secondly, I need you to know that I have already come out to our bishop
---And while I don't intend on taking out an ad in the newspaper
---I do intend on being a resource for our denomination and our Synod
---As they make the journey to the other side of the lake.

That being said, you also need to know
---That I am not and never will be a "one issue" pastor.

In fact, I long for the day when we don't have to talk about this issue any longer.
---I am committed to being a voice for all oppressed people
---Who long for justice, mercy and understanding.
---It is my goal to live out the words of Matthew 25
---Where Jesus reminds us that when we love and serve the "least of these"
---It is as if we are loving and serving Christ himself

Finally, I believe this is a unique opportunity for Abiding Savior
----To become more fully what God has called us to be

Our Guiding Principles are a wonderful way to articulate
---What it means to journey together as the Body of Christ
---In spite of our differences

Our gracious welcome to everyone who walks through our doors,
---As well as our commitment to social ministry,
---Finally makes us leaders in the ELCA instead of rebels

We are in a place where we can attract a number of people to our church
---Who may not have considered coming before

Some of them will be from other Lutheran churches
---Who are looking for a congregation
---That supports and lives out the new ELCA policies

Some of them will be people who were wounded or kicked out
---By churches of all denominations because they were gay or lesbian
---And are hearing the Spirit's call to give the ELCA a try

Some of them will be unchurched who have read about the ELCA
---And are curious to find out "What's up with those Lutherans?"

Over the next few months, I'm committed to working with the Church Council
---And various Committees to figure out how we can best tell our story
---And seize this unique opportunity in the life of our denomination

I believe our future is bright, very bright
---And I hope that each and every one of you
---Will commit yourselves to jumping in the boat with me
---And see where Jesus will lead us as we set sail
---For the other side of the lake.

Let us pray, God of Wind and Waves, change is never easy. Guide the ELCA as it begins a new chapter in its ministry to the world on behalf of Christ. Calm our fears. Help us move beyond our differences. Unite us in love and remind us all that it is the cross of CHrist that hold us together and makes us one. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Goodsoil Celebrates

This video is from our closing service of hope and healing. If you look closely, you'll see me and Gary singing yet again!

Pastor Foster Eats a Brownie

Here's a video from Churchwide Assembly that I just had to share. I love her. Her ministry is amazing!

Still Recovering From Assembly

Ever since I returned from CWA in Minneapolis, I've been running nonstop. I'll be back to my regular posts next week. Here's a picture of Gary and me who led the Goodsoil Singers during CWA. We sang hymns and spiritual songs every morning from 7:00am to 8:00am as a way to greet the delegates, wrap them with grace, and remind them of our connectedness to God and to each other. It was REALLY early but was a powerful experience nonetheless. Some waved at us or gave us a big thumbs up sign. Some stood and sang with us for a verse or two. Others, sadly, looked straight ahead with a scowl on their faces. It's a shame that although we have differing opinions on matters of human sexuality that we could not always sing together with one voice. I promise to keep on singing until we can!

P.S. Gary, my husband, is on the far left.

First Day of Freedom

Today was my first full day back in the office as a pastor who, because of last week, can now serve openly as a gay man in a committed same sex relationship relationship with my husband, Gary. What was my "gay agenda" for the day? Well..I returned a thousand phone calls, contacted the phone company about a problem with my church's telephone line, planned the liturgy for next Sunday's worship services, prayed for my conservative brothers and sisters as well as the bishops of my denomination and synod, met over lunch with someone whose family is falling apart and was looking for a sounding board, visited two people who are confined to nursing facilities, met with a colleague to discuss what happened in Minneapolis, shopped for dinner, and met with a couple to plan their wedding. Oh, yeah, that's really subversive!

It should come as no surprise to many that my days are spent being Christ to others and serving them with humility and grace. Why is it that conservative people just don't get this? All they seem to be able to picture is me having sex with my husband. Hopefully, once day, they'll be able to get past this and we can work together, side by side, in spite of our differences. The only "agenda" I have is reminding people that God loves them and dedicating myself to being an advocate for those who are poor and oppressed.

Here's a video from Churchwide Assembly from the Goodsoil worship service that occurred the night after we passed the Sexuality Statement. I wish you could have been there. The place was packed and the love and spirit I felt in that room as I processed down the aisle almost knocked me over. I am SO proud to be a pastor in the ELCA. I must confess, I considered leaving several times but now, I'm finally home. Thanks be to God!

Hanson's E-mail Letter to the ELCA

Here's a letter I received earlier today in my e-mail box that was sent by Bishop Hanson. It is a good summary of this historic week:

August 22, 2009

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
-- Colossians 3:14-15

I write to you from the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis with official information about the actions of this assembly related to human sexuality. I am grateful for the manner in which this church has engaged in this conversation. The way this assembly has discussed these questions is a continuation of the way this church has deliberated: with deep and heartfelt respect for each other, engaging with Scripture, listening to the faith stories and experiences of one another, and through worship and prayer seeking the discernment of the Spirit.

In my response to the voting members on Friday, August 21, I made this request: we need one another. We need time. We need the voices of those who lament and those who rejoice over these actions, for together we have been called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and engage in God’s mission for the life of the world.

The assembly adopted 676-338 -- precisely two-thirds of those voting -- “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” the ELCA’s 10th social statement, with minor editorial amendments. It also adopted a series of implementing resolutions with amendments. This theological and teaching document builds on the key Lutheran principles of justification by grace and Christian freedom to serve the neighbor. It emphasizes that central to our vocation, in relation to human sexuality, is the building and protection of trust in relationships. It therefore affirms that we are called to be trustworthy in our human sexuality and to build social institutions and practices where trust and trustworthy relationships can thrive. The social statement addresses marriage, same-gender relationships, families, protecting children, friendships, commitment, social responsibility and moral discernment. Regarding same-gender committed relationships, the social statement says that this church is not in agreement and recognizes the different perspectives which are present among us.

Our assembly also adopted resolutions proposed by the Church Council based on those contained in a “Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies.” The actions direct that changes be made to churchwide policy documents to make it possible for those in committed same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders in the ELCA. There were amendments to two of the proposals. The assembly adopted the resolutions in the following order, beginning with a strong statement about how we will live together in the face of our disagreements:

Resolution 3: “RESOLVED, that in the implementation of any resolutions on ministry policies, the ELCA commit itself to bear one another's burdens, love the neighbor, and respect the bound consciences of all." (Adopted 771-230 as amended)

Resolution 1: “RESOLVED, that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same-gender relationships.” (Adopted 619-402)

Resolution 2: “RESOLVED, that the ELCA commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church.” (Adopted 559-451)

Resolution 4: This resolution called upon members to respect the bound consciences of those with whom they disagree; declared intent to allow structured flexibility in decision-making about candidacy and the call process; eliminated the prohibition of rostered service by members in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships; recognized and committed to respect the conviction of members who believe that the ELCA should not call or roster people in committed same-gender relationships; called for development of accountability guidelines; directed that amendments to ministry policy documents be drafted and approved; and stated that this church continue to trust congregations, bishops, synods and others responsible for determining who should be called into public ministry. (Adopted 667-307 as amended)

I invite you into important, thoughtful, prayerful conversation about what all of this means for our life in mission together. What is absolutely important for me is that we have this conversation together.

We meet one another finally -- not in our agreements or our disagreements -- but at the foot of the cross, where God is faithful, where Christ is present with us, and where, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are one in Christ.

In Christ,
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
ELCA Presiding Bishop

Bishop Hanson's Amazing Speech

This is the speech Bishop Hansen gave yesterday after the historic votes were completed. It was pastoral, compassionate and spirit filled. I think it's a must read:

"I would like to speak before I call on any mics.

"I want more time to think about words from one you have called to serve as pastor of this church.
I have been standing here thinking about my 23 years as a parish pastor and how differently I would go into a context if I was gathering with a family or a group of people that had just experienced loss or perhaps were wondering if they still belonged, or, in fact, felt deeply that ones to whom they belong had been severed from them.

"That would be a very different pastoral conversation.

"And I would probably turn to words such as Romans 8, "Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, yes, who was raised, who was at the right hand of God, who intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? I'm convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus."

"But then I thought, "What if I were going into a family or a group, a community that had always wondered if they belonged and suddenly had now received a clear affirmation that they belonged?"
All of the wondering about the dividing walls, the feelings of separation seemed to have dropped away.

"That would be a very different conversation.

"I would probably read to them out of Ephesians. "But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace. In His flesh, He has made both groups into one. He's broken down the dividing wall that is the hostility between us. In Him, the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in Lord. In whom you also are building spiritually into a dwelling place of God. "

"But then I thought, what if those two groups were together, but also in their midst were those who had not experienced loss or the feeling of the dividing wall of separation coming down, but were wondering and worried if all that had occurred might sever the unity and wondered if their actions might have contributed to reconciliation or separation?

"If all those people were together in a room, I would read from Colossians, "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another. If anyone has a complaint against the other, forgive each other just as the Lord has forgiven you so you must also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything to in perfect harmony and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, with gratitude in your hearts. Sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs to God.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. "

"That passage gives invitation and expectation that those deeply disappointed today will have in this church the expectation and the freedom to continue to admonish and to teach.

"And so, too, those that have experienced reconciliation today, you are called to humility.
"You are called to clothe yourselves with love.

"But we're all called to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, remembering again and again that we are called in the one body.

"I will invite you tomorrow afternoon into important, thoughtful, prayerful conversations about what all of this means for our life together.

"But what is absolutely important for me is that that's a conversation we have together.

"I ended my oral report with these words: "We meet one another finally, not in our agreements or our disagreements, but at the foot of the cross, where God is faithful, where Christ is present with us, and where, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are one in Christ."

"Let us pray.

"Oh, God, gracious and holy, mysterious and merciful, we meet this day at the foot of the cross and there we kneel in gratitude and awe that you have loved us so much that you would give the life of your son so that we might have life in his name.

"Send your spirit this night, the spirit of the risen Christ that has been breathed into us.
"May it calm us.
"May your spirit unite us.
"May it continue to gather us.
"In Jesus' name, amen."

Churchwide Assembly - Day Five

Today the ELCA gave birth to a new baby. The labor was exhausting. It was bloody, messy and at times painful for everyone. However, we passed all four Recommendations on Ministry Policies with a few minor additions which did not change the intent of the original motions. We argued, debated and pleaded all morning and then into the afternoon. But we got the job done. At this point I'm physically and emotionally exhausted but my spirit is soaring. It was an amazing day.

Today is the first step. It is only the beginning of the work we have to do as a denomination and as a church. We are moving toward a gospel of inclusion and a message of radical grace for all God's children.

Please, please earnestly pray for our conservative brothers and sisters who are in a great deal of pain over the decisions we've made this week. I hope they will journey together faithfully with us in spite of our differences.

i need to get some sleep so good night to all.

Churchwide Assembly - Day Four

Today we passed the implementing recommendations that were attached to the Sexuality Statement. These tell us how we're going to utilize the Statement now that it is passed. No one challenged the close vote on the statement during the two sessions today so I think we're good to go!

This morning's plenary session involved the voting members in small groups to discuss the Reccomndation on Ministry Policies. We then went into the big group discussion which was sometimes heated, a little intense, and on occasion hurtful. We finished our discussion time this morning but the actual vote occurs tomorrow.

Word is that there are huge numbers of visitors signed up for tomorrow and Saturday. It's going to be a big fight but, perhaps by tomorrow night I will be able to report that the ELCA approved the four step process as outlined in the policy and full equality has come to gay and lesbians in the ELCA. It could happen so pray for us tomorrow and see if we can't make history.

I'm completely exhausted as I write this so...I'l post more tomorrow. It's a quite grueling and emotional experience so far but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world this week.

Great Column Regarding Yesterday's Historic Vote

666 may be the name of the Beast in Revelation, but in Minneapolis right now 66.67 is a glorious number... Just in case you hadn't heard from someone else, the Social Statement on Human Sexuality was adopted today with an exactly 2/3rds super-majority vote. Of 1014 votes cast.

It came as a surprise, no kidding, a surprise. I mean by that, I was sitting there staring at the numbers on the screen and realized that I had thought that we were not going to get enough votes. Not that I had decided that we were going to lose - I just thought that we wouldn't win. Make sense? Well, never mind,it made sense to me at the time.

It was an immaculate moment. Staring at the numbers. Immaculate.

We now have a document treating on sexuality that forms a far more appropriate basis for policy than that provided by the predecessor churches' documents. The great hope is that the church will be a better church for all of this. You will have seen the press release that contains our thoughts on this historic spiritual event.

And then there was the Scripture text for tonight's Goodsoil worship service at Central Lutheran Church, across from the Convention Center. Mark 4: 35-41. The story of crossing the Sea of Galilee during which Christ calmed the seas. The story in which it is said that "A great windstorm arose..." And it did.

We had a tornado, with not a lot of warning. The problem with being deep inside a large structure like the Convention Center is that you are completely insulated from what is going on outside. Suddenly there was a shrill lip whistle heard in Goodsoil Central and an authoritative voice said that "no option, you are required to go to the lowest level of the center and stay there. Tornado coming."

And it did, a real tornado. Came down on 12th Street between the Hilton Gardens we are staying in and Central Lutheran. All the tentage, tables, and chairs of the meal service and Pub that Central Lutheran had been using to support the assembly were pushed down and thrown around. Some of the table ended up on the roof of the Convention Center. We were hustled to the bottom floor of the Convention Center. The assembly kept meeting. Guess they thought the assembly was safe enough where it was. Luckily no one was injured near the Convention Center, and none of debris penetrated the substantial glass on the Center.

Then there was the storm in the Hall. Not a storm really, but certainly a tension of anticipation. The rule was that we would take care of the amendments to the Social Statement and then vote on the amended Social Statement. An Ad Hoc Committee had been formed to receive all the proposed changes to the Social Statement, make sense of them, and group them into those that the committee recommend approval and those it did not, with reasons. The ones the committee said to adopt went along fairly quickly. It was when the motions came up that committee recommended a No Adopt that the tension level went up a couple of clicks. These motions were very similar and clearly had the intention of watering down the Social Statement to accommodate more of the "marriage is between a man and a woman."

There was one brief moment when it looked like we were going to move without debate straight through the amendment we were working on to the actual Social Statement and vote without any parliamentary debate at all - just vote on the amendment then just turn right around and vote on the Social Statement, done. The motion was defeated, but it gave everyone a scare.

All the efforts to change the Social Statement to make it reflect a-man-and-a-woman bias, an exclusive bias, were defeated.

The time for debate had to be extended past the scheduled end time to allow for as much debate as had been scheduled. As the additional time was running down, finally a motion was made to call the question. And a vote was had, 676-338.

It was said that it was a close vote. Actually it wasn't. It was a vote in which the Social Statement received 2/3rds of the votes cast; that's not close.

Tomorrow we take up the Implementing Resolutions that flow from the Social Statement. And we will have the Committee of the Whole on the proposed change to ministry policies.

In the evening we had a most glorious worship, presided over by Bishop David Brauer-Rieke of Oregon Synod. Rev. Barbara Lundblad preached a spectacular sermon in which she focused on the questions contained in the Scripture cited above in Mark. More than 1000 worshipers filled the church at Central Lutheran, which had some damage to its exterior from the storm, but none to the inside.

Ross Murray said someone asked him if it was a sign from the Holy Spirit that a great wind arose when the question of the Social Statement was taken up in earnest. He said he replied that, yes, it could have been just as much a sign as was the sun coming out when the Social Statement passed.

Here is the third of David Weiss's reflections for your edification:

Airing Dirty Laundry

David R. Weiss, written August 18, 2009

That's what I'm doing right now--literally. Cooped up inside my shoes all day long, my socks desperately need airing! That would hardly be blog-worthy, except they're not my socks ...

You see, when Grandpa died quite a few years ago now, my whole inheritance consisted of a handful of neckties (which I never wear) and three pairs of socks. Not the sort I would ever buy for myself. Too thin, too patterned, they are the socks of a generation and sensibility quite other than mine.

But, back in his day, besides being a strong German Lutheran, Grandpa was also a proud union man--and not just a joiner, but a leader. A real voice for the little guy. Still, I have no reason to think he would've championed the cause of LGBT persons in the church. His sense of "the little guy," the voices too often kept in the margin, was no doubt bounded by his day.

But I like to hope he would have. And now his socks belong to me. And while I don't wear them often, on days like today I wear them with great intention. Wearing Grandpa's socks I feel like I'm standing on his shoulders, while he somehow also gets to stand in my shoes.

Right now, Grandpa's socks stink to high heaven. But to me--and perhaps to Grandpa, too--they smell like hope.

(But I promise to wear fresh socks tomorrow!)

David Weiss is a theologian, writer, poet and hymnist committed to doing "public theology" around issues of sexuality, justice, diversity, and peace. His first book is To the Tune of a Welcoming God: Lyrical reflections on sexuality, spirituality and the wideness of God's welcome (2008). A longtime Goodsoil supporter, he lives with his wife and children in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Churchwide Assembly - Day Three, Pt. 2

Yep! It happened! We passed the Sexuality Statement by EXACTLY a 2/3 majority. It is a big day for the ELCA. It was a long and arduous afternoon that extended until 6:30pm but change has come to the ELCA and it's about time. Tomorrow we begin our deliberations over the proposed changed to rostered ministry policies. We only need a simply majority to pass these so I am hopeful that it will happen as well.

It's been a long day and I have to be up at 6:00am so I'll say good night for now. Check the Lutherans Concerned and ELCA web sites for complete summaries of what happened today. I am SO proud to be a Lutheran today. It was a HUGE victory for progressive Lutherans like myself.

Churchwide Assembly - Day Three, Pt. 1

I learned some sad news this morning. Lutheran CORE [ the conservative lobbying group that is at Assembly to defeat everything we're fighting for] invited Exodus International to come to the Assembly, talk with delegates in the hallways, and also present a lecture on reparative therapy which every major medical and psychiatric organization in the United States has condemned as being ineffective and even harmful. This is certainly a low blow but a clear indication there is no way we can "journey together faithfully" as conservative and progressive Lutherans. The fact that such a group is present at an ELCA Assembly simply breaks my heart. It shows a complete lack of respect for opposing viewpoints on this issue. What they're basically saying is "We're right. You're wrong. There's really nothing further to discuss. You're simply not welcome in our denomination."

Well, a wise friend of mine once told me that if you leave the boat, you don't have a chance to rock it. Like Jennifer Hudson sings, "And I'm telling you, I'm not going..." This is my church as well as theirs and I will keep coming back again and again and again to fight for LGBT equality in the ELCA. I'm Lutheran. I'm gay. Deal with it!

Churchwide Assembly - Day Two

This morning the Sexuality Taskforce "introduced" the proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality to the Assembly. They talked about the process of development and the endless hours of data and comments from Lutheran churches and individuals the committee went through in order to develop this document. Then there was about an hour of comments from the Assembly floor which spilled into the afternoon session as well. The rhetoric was a bit more heated than last night but I can safely say that no new insights were brought to the table. Each side is convinced they are right and it appears we're pretty much through talking. All around me today I heard conservatives discuss what they're going to do if and when they loose the battle. I've heard everything from dropping out of the ELCA completely to forming a new conservative Synod within the ELCA.

The actual vote on the Sexuality Statement should take place tomorrow afternoon. It will take a two third majority vote to adopt it as an official document of the ELCA. I'm not sure how much more discussion will occur before an actual vote takes place but I will keep you posted. We should know the outcome by 5:45pm.

The proposed changes to the Recommendation on Ministry Policies will come to the floor either late on Wednesday afternoon [it's doubtful] or first thing Thursday morning. This is the four step process to determine whether the ELCA will create a way for partnered gay and lesbian pastors to serve openly in the ELCA.

Please keep the Assembly in your prayers. I feel like there's a good possibility that we might actually win this time.

Churchwide Assembly - Day One

Tonight's first plenary session was an important one. There was a motion on the floor to require a two thirds super majority to approve any changes in the rostering of clergy. Thankfully this motion was defeated which means that later in the week when we discuss the issue of creating a procedure in the ELCA to allow gay and lesbian clergy who are in committed relationships, it only need a simple majority to pass. It was a good night!

If you want to read a fuller summary of what happened, check out the Goodsoil web site.

More tomorrow. I feel like tonight was a hopeful first step!

On My Way to Churchwide Assembly

Hey Everyone,

This coming week my husband and I will be working with Goodsoil at the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, MN. Please keep me, as well as the ELCA delegates, in your prayers as we discuss some important issues relating to our LGBT members and clergy. On the table is a comprehensive sexuality statement as well as whether our denomination will create process for gay and lesbian clergy with partners to serve openly in our denomination. I'm hoping for the best so that I can serve openly and honestly. : )

I'm going to try and blog each day about my experience there as time and internet access permits. You can also follow what's happening through the Goodsoil web site as well as the ELCA's web site.