Sighting of the Golden-Vested Yankees

Roundup of the 2007 Churchwide Assembly by Bishop Margaret G. Payne

 

The voting members of the New England Synod provided a visible and articulate witness at the 10^th Churchwide Assembly (CWA) of the ELCA Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier in Chicago. Our matching golden colored fleece vests were very visible, cozy in the chilly air conditioning of the vast meeting hall, and often the object of admiration and envy from surrounding synods. It was good to present the appearance of a team, because we felt like a team.

 

Although each voting member enters discussion and makes decisions individually and prayerfully, we had a strong sense of representing a part of the country that may be low in percentage of Lutherans, but is high in commitment and passion for the work of the church.

 

”God’s Work, Our Hands” was a theme that emerged from this assembly, and we were proud to hear about all the ministries that the ELCA does, and proud also to bring our voice and witness to this gathering. God’s work truly is being accomplished in wonderful ways in New England, and echoes of that work resounded throughout the week.

 

The New England Synod Resolution on Darfur was the only one on that topic and was supported by the assembly. Our synod assembly resolutions on the war in Iraq and global warming were relevant to the work of the CWA.

 

Our role as companion synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) was significant. We co-hosted a reception with the Southeast Michigan Synod for Bishop Munib Younan and participated in the discussion on a resolution that deepened ELCA support for our brothers and sisters in that troubled land.

 

We had contributed thoughtful resolutions to the debate on human sexuality and were a witness that helped to shape the discussion in this difficult issue. We shared dinner with fellow voting members of our partner synod, Southeastern Minnesota, and took time for prayer, conversation, meals and worship together, enjoying a growing camaraderie.

 

When it was time to say good-bye to the work of the assembly and to one another, we were glad to conclude our endless hours of sitting at the tables, but grateful to have shared this special time – a time when the Golden Vested Yankees were sighted, and were in full throat in our churchwide gathering of witnesses to the gospel.