Response to ELCA Church-wide Assembly
Response to ELCA Church-wide Assembly
8/17/05
Thank you Synod 4C for allowing me to be your voting member at the Church-wide Assembly. It was a privilege I took with great humility and responsibility. The required reading was colossal (over 1000 pages of reports,) the plenary sessions long (sometimes 5 ½ hours with no bathroom break,) the hearings intense and emotional, but Christ was present there, prayers were felt there, and instead of clapping or booing over controversial votes, hymns were sung.
Communion services each day truly called us to love God and one another in a variety of worship styles and music. Bible studies asked us to stretch our minds and not be afraid of what Christ might call us to.
And I must mention the food. Although I seldom saw the sun in a week in Orlando, I did enjoy their food, especially the key lime pie.
From the first day of the assembly I chose to wear a rainbow stole to signify solidarity with the Lutheran gay and lesbian community. I’ve been married to my husband, Ed, for 36 years. But I understand the pain of those persons who are not fully included in our church. Read More »