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ELCA-Southeastern Synod |
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America- Southeastern Synod |
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This page is designed to share information and news releases concerning the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.
December 13, 2005 Dear colleagues in ministry, Grace and peace to you in this season anticipating the advent of our Lord. This email is the first update on the activity of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality since the Churchwide Assembly in August. Task force activity The task force met in late September 2005 to continue its work fulfilling the mandates of the 2001 Churchwide Assembly. The focus now will be on steps that prepare a social statement on human sexuality for consideration at the churchwide assembly in 2009. The September task force discussions were vigorous and thoughtful, marked by a fresh appreciation of the scope and urgency of the need to address questions about human sexuality that this church has not yet engaged. Such matters include the commercialization of sexuality, destructive sexual messages in the media, internet sex, and many more challenges that face youth, adults, and older persons. A request In February 2006, the task force will begin hearing selected presenters and laying the groundwork for crafting Journey Together Faithfully, Part 3 (JTF 3). To be released in late fall of 2006, JTF 3 will be the third in a series of studies designed to foster discussion throughout this church. (The deadline for response to JTF 3 will be October 2007.) Although that seems far away, it is not too early to begin thinking about how that discussion could be fostered in a variety of settings throughout the church and you are invited to give that some advance thought wherever you serve. Broad involvement throughout our church is crucial to successful deliberation by the ELCA on matters of human sexuality and the task force hopes for a repeat of the thoughtful and extensive discussion occasioned by JTF 2.Task force composition Members of the task force have provided leadership on this challenging set of studies since early 2002. Nine task force members have chosen to commit themselves to the remaining four years of service-an unprecedented length for a task force, and two more years than originally expected. Five task force members will not be continuing. Six new members have been appointed to the task force and these fifteen members will meet together for the first time in February 2006, chaired by Bishop Peter Strommen (Northeastern Minnesota Synod). The list of the present task force, both new and continuing members, is available on the Faithful Journey Website.(http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/staff/taskforce.html). Your persistence in prayer for these individuals and for our whole church will mean a great deal as we move forward together in the faithful journey begun by the 2001 Churchwide Assembly. Additional information and staff contacts Please visit the Faithful Journey Website, as well, for ongoing information about the activities of the task force, including a look at the anticipated timeline. ( http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/timeline) The four year process of developing an ELCA social statement is supported by the Department for Studies of the Program Unit for Church in Society. A staff team of Rev. Roger A. Willer and Rev. Kaari Reierson are providing excellent leadership for this social statement process and the task force. Please contact them if you have suggestions, questions, or concerns. (roger.willer@elca.org or kaari.reierson@elca.org) Thank you for the many ways in which you continue to accompany this task force in the work which it is privileged to do on behalf of this church. With Advent blessings, Rev. Rebecca Larson Executive Director Program Unit for Church in Society Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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Dear
Congregational and Rostered Leaders: At the
January 14-15 meeting of the Southeastern Synod Council the “Report and
Recommendations from the Task Force for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Studies on Sexuality” was discussed. The
Synod Council may now properly send a response or memorial to the ELCA Church
Council by March 15 for consideration at its April 8-11 meeting.
It was the consensus of the Council that we postpone any action until we
have given the report further prayerful consideration and asked for input from
you. The Synod
Council will not attempt to speak on your behalf by addressing the issues of
homosexuality; that will be the responsibility of the Synod Assembly.
We will rather be reflecting on the meaning, logic, feasibility and
potential consequences of the report. If
you would like us to include your thoughts in our discernment, please send them
to me by mail or email (pr.paul-gslc@comcast.net)
by February 15. All responses will
be forwarded to SES Council members who will gather for discussion on March 1. Please be
aware of all of the resources available to you on the ELCA and SES websites as
the church continues to discuss these issues.
The December/January edition of The
Transformer has a timeline and letter from Bishop Warren detailing other
ways that you might respond to the report. As Synod
Secretary, I urge you to use the proper form and meet the deadline (April 15)
for any resolutions or memorials you propose to be considered at the Synod
Assembly. The Reference and Council
Committee must review all resolutions and memorials before they are distributed.
Only those memorials and resolutions meeting the deadline can be
distributed prior to the Assembly. As we anticipate the possibility that there
will be an unusually high number of resolutions and memorials, and as
resolutions and memorials containing similar thoughts must be logically
combined, those submitted after the deadline will have much less opportunity for
study and consideration by the voting members.
Please note the guidelines for drafting and submitting “resolutions”
to the Synod Assembly and “memorials” to the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando
(www.elca-ses.org/2005_synod_assembly.htm). Your Synod
Council holds your congregation in our prayers as you consider the “Report and
Recommendations from the Task Force for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Studies on Sexuality.” In Christ, The Rev.
Paul W. Baumgartner Synod
Secretary
PASTORAL LETTER FROM BISHOP RON WARREN: • ELCA Study on Human Sexuality • January 13, 2005 report of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality Dear Colleagues in the risen Christ, On January 10, 2005, the Task Force for ELCA Studies presented its report and recommendations to the Conference of Bishops. On January 13, 2005, the Task Force’s report and recommendations were publicly released across the country. Please see www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/tfreport for a copy of the complete report.First, since the Task Force has no legislative authority, the report and recommendations become historical documents of the ELCA which will be passed on to the national Church Council when it meets in Chicago, April 9-11, 2005. The Church Council is the second highest legislative body in the ELCA. The Council will receive the Task Force’s report and consider possible resolutions to be passed on to the highest legislative body, the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, FL, August 8-14, 2005. In other words, no final decisions will be made until the Assembly meets in Orlando. Second, as bishop of the Southeastern Synod, I think it important that I share my opinions regarding the report of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality. I am profoundly grateful for the diligence, hard work and risks taken by the fourteen member Task Force. Sadly, at least one member of the group has received a death threat. In addition, I respect persons who may differ with my opinions and look forward to continuing dialog. However, because I find sections of the report of the Task Force confusing, and because I think "Recommendation Three" is contrary to this church’s present position on sexual ethics (see Vision & Expectations at www.elca.org/ministry/documents.html), I am, therefore, unable to support the report and its recommendations in their present form.Third, I continue to stand by my 2000 Pastoral Letter and the 2002 addendum to it. The letter may be accessed on the synod web site, www.elca-ses.org. During the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, I will support all efforts to retain this church’s stand on sexual ethics (see Vision & Expectations above).Fourth, in The Transformer (December 2004/January 2005 edition), I have included details regarding the communication network we have established to talk and listen to one another with love between now and the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando. In addition, in The Transformer a copy is included of a detailed timeline, which includes our Southeastern Synod Assembly in Athens, GA, June 3-5, 2005, where we will be able to express our opinions through memorials (resolutions) to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Please see our synod website, www.elca-ses.org.Finally, one area of the Task Force report of which I am in full agreement is a portion of "Recommendation One," which reads: "...the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality recommends that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements." 2005 is a landmark year for our young Church. In my view, our Church desperately needs a social statement on human sexuality to guide us into the 21st century based on the Holy Scriptures, Lutheran Confessions, tradition and experience. As we continue to move through the process of discernment, please pray with me for patience, deep compassion for all persons regardless of their sexual orientation and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In the joy of living the Great Commission together, Ronald B. Warren Bishop
The Report from the ELCA Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality is only a RECOMMENDATION. It does not set the policy for the ELCA. This report will be reviewed by two churchwide unit boards and the ELCA Church Council. The council will be making recommendations to the Churchwide Assembly concerning the report.
Each congregation of the ELCA will be able to review the Task Force report and make recommendations to their respective synod assemblies (this synod's assembly will be June 3-5. 2005 at The Classic Center in Athens, GA.) Each Synod Assembly can make recommendations to the Churchwide Assembly concerning the Task Force report. The Churchwide Assembly will take action on the report when in gathers in Orlando, FL from August 8-14, 2005.
The links listed under the Task Force report link are provided as background information the the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) News Media page can be found at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/media.html. For additional information or questions relating to the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, please contact:
John
R. Brooks
Synodical contact: Elaine Schwartz Director for Communication Resources ELCA-Southeastern Synod 100 Edgewood Ave, NE Atlanta, GA 30303 404-589-1977, ext 235
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