ELCA NEWS SERVICE June 30, 2004 Early ELCA Synod Assemblies Address Sexuality, Other Issues 04-130-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Several synod assemblies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) meeting this spring addressed a series of concerns related to the current ELCA Studies on Sexuality. Most assemblies that adopted memorials addressed to the churchwide assembly or resolutions on the issues stated their opposition to or registered concerns about possible changes in ELCA policy. At the same time the assemblies encouraged congregations to be involved actively in the study process, according to reports on file in the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations through June 21. Other issues addressed by assemblies included conflict in the Middle East, the war in Iraq, ordination and the historic episcopate, the environment, hunger, mission funding, lay leadership, ELCA church structure and HIV/AIDS. Five bishops were re-elected to six-year terms at their assemblies this spring: the Rev. Murray D. Finck, Pacifica Synod; the Rev. Marcus C. Lohrmann, Northwestern Ohio Synod; the Rev. Robert A. Rimbo, Southeast Michigan Synod; the Rev. James R. Stuck, Indiana-Kentucky Synod; and the Rev. Gary M. Wollersheim, Northern Illinois Synod. The ELCA Department for Synodical Relations routinely receives reports from synod assemblies through churchwide representatives. Reports from about 18 assemblies, most held in early and mid-June, had not yet been received by the department by June 21. On sexuality, the assemblies addressed topics such as scriptural references, pre-marital sex, people who are gay and lesbian serving in church leadership positions, ratification of constitutional amendments, prohibiting policies to allow blessings of same-gender relationships, development of guidelines for clergy in same-gender relationships, support for specific congregations and programs, and church unity in the wake of sexuality policy decisions to be made in the future. The 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly mandated the study process in preparation for decisions the 2005 assembly is to make on whether or not people in committed homosexual relationships should be ordained and whether or not the ELCA should have an official policy on blessing of committed same-gender relationships. In addition, a task force assigned to the studies is to develop a proposed social statement on human sexuality for the assembly to consider in 2007. Current ELCA policy expects professional ministers to refrain from all sexual relations outside marriage. The church has no official policy on blessing same-gender relationships, but in 1993 the ELCA Conference of Bishops stated it does not approve of such ceremonies. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church. Actions of synod assemblies are as follows: + Scriptural References and Authority: The Northwest Washington Synod assembly sent a memorial to the churchwide assembly that said: "We hold what the Holy Bible says is normative and authoritative and that all considerations in matters of faith and morality based on other sources such as church doctrine, contemporary experience and knowledge never be granted equal or greater importance than that of the Holy Bible." The Central/Southern Illinois Synod assembly affirmed "that proper procedure for the proclamation of the gospel begins with letting Holy Scripture speak for itself" and that "pastors and bishops of this synod be encouraged as they continue striving for fidelity to the Holy Scriptures, creeds and confessions in their proclamation, faith and life." + Premarital sex: The Southwestern Texas Synod assembly sent a resolution to the ELCA Church Council that stated only sexual intercourse between those who are married is acceptable. + People who are gay and lesbian in church leadership: The Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod assembly asked the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to oppose allowing people "participating in homosexual relationships to hold positions of leadership, particularly bishops or pastors in the ELCA." + Same-sex lifestyles: The North Carolina Synod assembly asked the ELCA Church Council to "provide guidance, materials and support for local parishes that want to offer a Christian ministry specifically for persons who want to exit same-sex lifestyles." + ELCA Studies on Sexuality: Five synod assemblies -- Northwestern Minnesota, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana, Montana, Indiana-Kentucky and South Dakota -- asked the churchwide assembly to affirm scriptural principles and recommend no change to policies in "Vision and Expectations," the ELCA policy document that states standards for professional leaders in the ELCA. The South Carolina Synod assembly went on record affirming current ELCA policy. The North Carolina Synod assembly called for completion of the four-year study process without further delay; the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod assembly directed its synod council to petition the ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA Conference of Bishops to "take whatever steps are necessary to delay the vote at the 2005 Churchwide Assembly" on sexuality issues until the adoption of a social statement on human sexuality. The La Crosse (Wis.) Area Synod said it would refrain from adopting a position on the sexuality issues until the task force releases its report and recommendations. + American Lutheran Church (ALC) social statement: The South Dakota Synod assembly asked the ELCA to affirm the former ALC statement on "Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior," and "to adopt no change in current ELCA policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions" and ordinations. The resolution also directed the synod bishop to communicate this to the ELCA Conference of Bishops. + Social Policy: The Central/Southern Illinois Synod sent a resolution to the ELCA Church Council suggesting that to "revise established teaching and policy regarding blessing of same-gender relationships and/or rostering of approved candidates who are in committed same-gender relationships" be considered as "exceptional social policy resolution(s)." It said that such resolution(s) should require "accompanying supporting foundational theological material and [a] two-thirds vote for adoption." + Consulting with partner churches: The Indiana-Kentucky Synod assembly requested that the churchwide assembly ask that the sexuality studies task force consult with partner churches on issues of ordaining people who are gay and lesbian and in committed relationships, and blessing of same-gender relationships. + Ratification of constitutional amendments: The Montana Synod assembly and the South Dakota Synod assembly adopted resolutions that said amendments to the ELCA Constitution and Bylaws ought to be ratified by three-fourths of the ELCA synods in assembly or a majority of congregations within one calendar year. The South Dakota Synod assembly also memorialized the churchwide assembly to "initiate action that would call upon each congregation of the ELCA to ratify any decision regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and/or rostering of non-celibate gay and lesbian persons." The Eastern North Dakota Synod assembly memorialized the churchwide assembly to initiate action that each congregation be asked to ratify within a 12-month period decisions on same-gender blessings and rostering of gay and lesbian people in committed relationships. + Two-thirds majority: The Indiana-Kentucky Synod and Eastern North Dakota Synod assemblies suggested that changes in polices on ordination standards be adopted only by a two-thirds majority vote by the ELCA Church Council and 2005 Churchwide Assembly. + Consecration of a non-celibate homosexual bishop: The North Carolina Synod assembly resolved that the synod secretary "communicate to the Episcopal Church local diocese by letter this synod's deepest regret and concern with its action consecrating a non-celibate homosexual person as bishop." + Participation in ELCA Studies on Sexuality: Many synods that addressed the studies adopted resolutions encouraging members to participate by using study materials provided by the church. + Church unity: The Northeastern Ohio Synod assembly and the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod assembly adopted resolutions noting that "unity shared at the font and around the table" will not be broken by differing perspectives on human sexuality. + Guidelines for candidates for ordained ministry: The Alaska Synod assembly adopted a resolution to appoint a task force to prepare written guidelines for working with candidates for "called ministry," and those guidelines are to address candidates or clergy in same-gender relationships. The assembly also directed the synod council to submit the resolution to the ELCA Church Council as a model for future consideration. + Support for civil marriage: The Sierra Pacific Synod assembly adopted a resolution that said it "supports efforts to make civil marriage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) couples a reality in our country, and opposes any attempt to discriminate against GLBT couples and individuals." The Metropolitan New York Synod assembly said it "endorses and supports recognition of and legislation to provide for gay and lesbian persons to receive the status, benefits and restrictions, and responsibilities of marriage conferred upon heterosexual persons under civil law; and … opposes efforts to ban, limit or overturn the full civil recognition of same-sex relationships." + Support for congregations and Extraordinary Candidacy Project (ECP): The Sierra Pacific Synod assembly invited two congregations -- St. Francis Lutheran Church and First United Lutheran Church, both in San Francisco -- to apply for full membership in the synod and urged the Sierra Pacific Synod Council to accept their applications. The two congregations were expelled from the ELCA Dec. 31, 1995, for calling pastors who were not in compliance with ELCA clergy standards. The synod assembly also said it will maintain a list of significant dates of Extraordinary Candidacy project pastors serving congregations of the synod, honor pastors on anniversaries, and it directed that all official directories/lists published will list name of ECP pastors. ECP is an organization outside the ELCA that was formed "to promote the full participation of sexual minority persons in the professional life of the Lutheran church," according to its purpose statement. Synod Assemblies Address Other Issues The synod assemblies also adopted resolutions on a variety of other issues: + Middle East: The Minneapolis Area Synod memorialized the churchwide assembly to express solidarity with Christians and others in the Middle East who seek peace. + War in Iraq: The Northwest Washington Synod assembly adopted a resolution of "support and encouragement" for the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, for his efforts to promote peaceful transition of authority in Iraq. By a narrow margin, the Sierra Pacific Synod assembly adopted a resolution condemning the "unjust war in Iraq," and declared itself to be an opponent of the war. It urged the ELCA to declare its opposition and that President George W. Bush recognize and support the authority of the United Nations to promote peace and rebuilding in Iraq. The resolution also said the synod offers support and prayers for "our troops in Iraq and all people involved and affected by this war." + Ecumenical matters: The Northwestern Minnesota, Montana and Eastern Washington-Idaho synod assemblies memorialized the churchwide assembly to permit those seeking ordination or installation to do so freely with or without the participation of bishops in the historic episcopate "and that these options have equal standing in the life of the ELCA." The South Dakota Synod requested that the ELCA Conference of Bishops reaffirm its commitment to honor the "exceptions" bylaw, requested that the ELCA Secretary and each synod bishop make no distinctions in rosters or records of those who do not participate in the historic episcopate. The New Jersey Synod assembly encouraged dialogue and teaching of history related to Jewish/Christian relations within the synod while denouncing forms of bias and hatred. + Environment: The Metropolitan New York and South Dakota synod assemblies memorialized the churchwide assembly to increase attention to and support for environmental education and advocacy, so that the church may carry out the vision, hope and justice goals of the 1993 social statement on the environment. + Hunger: The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod and Central/Southern Illinois Synod assemblies adopted resolutions asking the ELCA Church Council to make ending hunger a "core conviction" for this church. The La Crosse Area (Wis.) Synod assembly adopted resolutions encouraging participation in the Lutheran campaign, "Stand With Africa," and ELCA World Hunger Appeal giving. + Mission funding: The Northwest Washington Synod assembly set aside $600,000 for starting new congregations and for '"transformational ministry projects" over a five-year period. It set aside another $270,000 for leadership development projects or matching grants for stewardship and evangelism over five years. Most of the funds for the projects came from the sale of property. + Mission strategy: The Grand Canyon Synod assembly adopted a detailed Latino ministry strategy. + Lay leadership: The Northwestern Minnesota Synod assembly encouraged the ELCA Division for Ministry to recommend revising the ELCA Constitution to provide congregations with authority to train and appoint lay people to preside at Holy Communion when an ordained pastor is not available; the Northern Great Lakes Synod assembly asked the churchwide assembly that licensed lay leaders be given permission to perform weddings in their congregations under appointment by a synod bishop. The South Dakota Synod assembly recognized and affirmed congregations that identify people to be trained and appointed by the synod bishop to preside at Holy Communion when an ordained pastor is not available, following normal procedures for synodically authorized ministers. + Church structure: The Montana Synod assembly directed its synod council to send a resolution to the ELCA Church Council to change the council's membership to include one member from each of the 65 synods. Members would be elected at synod assemblies. + Renewing Worship: The North Carolina Synod assembly memorialized the churchwide assembly to postpone consideration of new worship resources proposed by the Renewing Worship task force until 2007 or later because of lack of awareness and opportunity to review and comment on proposed liturgies. + HIV/AIDS: The New Jersey Synod assembly resolved to support the sale of syringes without prescriptions and the establishment of a syringe exchange program to help reduce spread of blood-borne diseases. The Sierra Pacific Synod assembly urged all candidates for U.S. President to endorse and implement measures to fight AIDS globally. --- Information about the ELCA's 65 synods is available through the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations at http://www.elca.org/sr/ on the ELCA Web site. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news