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LCH E-News—February 19, 2009Worship This WeekendSunday February 22: Transfiguration Sunday
From Pastor Jeff
Please note that there are two primary documents and an executive summary. Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (download PDF) contains the proposed text for the social statement. Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies (download PDF) contains the “implementing resolutions” from the task force that were requested by the ELCA Assembly. This document more specifically addresses the ordination and placement of persons in “lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.” The Executive Summary (download PDF) shares the highlights of the proposed social statement but leave out much of the theological background. The release of the proposed social statement and report and recommendations marks the end of the work of the task force but the beginning of a broader process. The documents will be studied by the ELCA bishops at their February/March Council of Bishops Meeting. Then, as the ELCA website notes, “Both documents will be reviewed by the Church Council at its meeting in Chicago, March 27–30, 2009. At this time the Church Council may amend the proposed social statement, the ministry policy recommendation, or both. The Church Council is expected to transmit its recommendations to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, August 17–23, 2009, in Minneapolis. The assembly will consider both the recommended proposed social statement with impending resolutions and the ministry policy recommendation.” In other words, the document presented for vote at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly may be identical to the present document, or it may be changed by the Church Council prior to consideration by the Assembly. At the 2009 Churchwide Assembly itself, resolutions for amending the Proposed Social Statement, Report and Recommendations, or both can be considered. Such resolutions are generally received as memorials from ELCA Synodical Assemblies. What might be our next step as individuals and as a congregation? First, thank you for remaining faithfully engaged in the process of developing Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Hearings on the matter were well attended and the recommendations of our congregational members were passed on to the task force last year. Second, please read the documents and accompanying material carefully. It is tempting to react to what others say about the document rather than read it for ourselves. It is dense but valuable reading. Third, with Bishop Finck, I urge all of us to prayer and thoughtful dialog with one another and with the wider church. Fourth, let us gather for dialog in March, and again in April after the final proposals are available from the ELCA Church Council. Last, if desired by the congregation, Lutheran Church of Honolulu may offer a resolution at the Pacifica Synod Assembly in May proposing an amendment to the documents in question. The Synod Council has extended the deadline for submission of Synod Assembly resolutions to accommodate the late release of the social statement. Proposed Opportunities for Dialogue at LCH
I hope you will join me as we share conversation and prayer about this important aspect of our life together. Pastor Jeff Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck’s Statement on the draft social statement (PDF). Faith and Arts SundayMany thanks to Linda Miller for organizing a wonderful Faith and Arts Sunday last week. Also, mahalo to all the artists, young and old for sharing your beautiful artwork for the enjoyment of our faith community.  Copyright © 2009 Lutheran Church of Honolulu1730 Punahou Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 • 808-941-2566 Comments welcome at webmaster@lchwelcome.org |
For several years, the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality has labored to develop a social statement on Human Sexuality. With input from thousands of individuals, groups, synods, and congregations, and with the advice and counsel of theologians, pastors, members of the scientific community and testimony from experts around the world, the task force has completed it its work. This morning the ELCA released the proposed social statement on human sexuality, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, and the Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies. These documents are available for viewing and download from the ELCA Website.