Action on Resolutions 07-01 through 07-10 by the 20th Annual Assembly of the New England Synod, ELCA, June 7-9, 2007

Action on Resolutions 07-01 through 07-10 by the 20^th Annual Assembly of the New England Synod, ELCA, June 7-9, 2007

07-01 PASTORAL MESSAGE ON ELCA STUDIES ON SEXUALITY (NO VOTED NEEDED)

The following pastoral message of the Conference of Bishops (CB/ES07.03.01) was adopted March 6, 2007:

This pastoral message of the Conference of Bishops is offered as we prepare for upcoming Synod Assemblies and the Churchwide Assembly.

We remind this church that the 2005 Churchwide Assembly resolved that the “members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions [of this church] be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ” (CA05.05.17).

This church is engaged in a careful study of issues related to human sexuality with the intention of adopting a social statement at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. We urge the members of this church to engage fully and faithfully in the study process as part of our “living together faithfully” during this time.

We trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and have confidence in the constitutional process that orders our conversation as we engage together in moral deliberation at Synod Assemblies and the Churchwide Assembly.

The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America commits itself to faithful leadership as, together, we seek the mind of Christ on these matters.

07-02 A MEMORIAL TO RESPOND TO THE DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINE HEARING COMMITTEE (NOT MOVED BY REFERENCE AND COUNSEL)

WHEREAS, the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly urged every part of the ELCA to "concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ"; and

WHEREAS, the discipline hearing committee constituted to consider charges against Pr. Bradley E. Schmeling suggested that synod assemblies memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to request that the Committee on Appeals reconsider and revise the document Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline and that the appropriate churchwide unit reconsider and revise the document Vision and Expectations and the policy on reinstatement to the rosters of this church (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee, p. 13); and

WHEREAS, if permitted to decide the case only under the standards in chapters 7 and 20 of the ELCA Constitution, the discipline hearing committee "would find almost unanimously that Pastor Schmeling is not engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the ministerial office, and would find with near unanimity that no discipline of any sort should be imposed against him" (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee, p. 12); and

WHEREAS, Definitions and Guidelines may be amended by the Committee on Appeals, subject to approval by the Church Council, while Vision and Expectations and the policy on reinstatement to the rosters of the church may be amended by the Vocation and Education unit in consultation with the Conference of Bishops, also subject to approval by the Church Council (in accordance with ELCA bylaws 7.31.11., 7.31.13.f., 7.31.15., 7.51.03.b., 7.52.13., 20.71.11., and 20.71.12. and continuing resolution 16.12.C05.d.2); and

WHEREAS, the Churchwide Assembly, as the highest legislative authority of the ELCA, can "request or direct" that the steps be taken for the development by the Committee on Appeals and adoption by the Church Council of an amendment to Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline; and for the development by the appropriate churchwide unit, review by the Conference of Bishops, and adoption by the Church Council of an amendment to Vision and Expectations (ELCA Church Council, Minutes of April 9-11, 2006, p. 90, explanation by Secretary Almen): now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that this Synod Assembly submit the following memorial for consideration by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly:

RESOLVED, that the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly direct the Committee on Appeals to develop an amendment to the definitions and guidelines established under ELCA bylaws 20.71.11. and 20.71.12. that removes provisions precluding "practicing homosexual persons" from the rosters of this church; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Vocation and Education unit, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to the policies established under ELCA bylaws 7.31.11. and 7.31.13. that removes provisions requiring persons who are "homosexual in their self-understanding" to "abstain from homosexual sexual relationships"; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Vocation and Education unit, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to the policies established under ELCA bylaws 7.31.15. and 7.52.13. that permits the reinstatement to the rosters of this church, without the usual requirement of five consecutive years without call, of persons who have resigned or been removed from the rosters solely because they are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Church Council to take the necessary steps to amend the definitions and guidelines established under bylaws 20.71.11. and 20.71.12 ., the policies established under bylaws 7.31.11., 7.31.13., and 7.51.03.b., and the policies established under bylaws 7.31.15. and 7.52.13. in conformity to the preceding directions to the Committee on Appeals and Vocation and Education unit.

07-03 memorial TO AMEND VISION AND EXPECTATIONS and DEFINITIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR DISCIPLINE (PASSED – Vote by written ballot: 278 YES, 99 NO)

Whereas, the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly urged every part of the ELCA to “concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ,” and

Whereas, the discipline hearing committee convened and constituted in Atlanta in January 2007 to consider charges against Pr. Bradley E. Schmeling, an ELCA pastor living in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship, suggested that synod assemblies memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to reconsider and revise policies prohibiting such persons from serving on the rosters of ELCA professional leaders; and

Whereas, the discipline hearing committee in the Pr. Schmeling case, if permitted to decide the case only under the standards for ordained ministry set forth by the ELCA Constitution “would find almost unanimously that Pastor Schmeling is not engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the ministerial office, and would find with near unanimity that no discipline of any sort should be imposed against him” (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee, p. 12); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the New England Synod Assembly memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to direct that the Committee on Appeals develop an amendment to the documents known as Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline and that the Vocation and Education unit develop an amendment to the documents known as Vision and Expectations to allow for the rostering of otherwise qualified gay and lesbian persons who are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same gender relationship; and be it further

Resolved, that the New England Synod Assembly memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to direct the Vocation and Education unit, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to the policy on reinstatement to the rosters of this church that would permit the immediate reinstatement to the rosters of this church, without the usual requirement of five consecutive years without call, of persons who have resigned or been removed from the rosters solely because they are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same gender relationship; and be it further

Resolved, that the New England Synod Assembly memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to direct the Church Council to take the actions necessary to amend Definitions and Guidelines, Vision and Expectations, and the policy on reinstatement to the rosters of this church in conformity with the amendments developed (pursuant to the preceding directions) by the Committee on Appeals and the Vocation and Education Unit.

07-04 A MEMORIAL TO ENCOURAGE REFRAINING FROM DISCIPLINE (PASSED)

WHEREAS, there is currently no consensus in this church regarding the rostered service of persons in committed same-gender relationships (Report of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality, p. 5); and

RESOLVED, that this Synod Assembly submit the following memorial for consideration by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly:

RESOLVED, that in order to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, synods, synodical bishops, and the Presiding Bishop of this church are encouraged to refrain from disciplining those who - in good conscience and for the sake of outreach, ministry, and commitment to continuing dialogue - call, approve, ordain, commission, or consecrate otherwise-qualified candidates for rostered service who are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship; and be it further

RESOLVED, that synods, synodical bishops, and the Presiding Bishop of this church are encouraged to refrain from disciplining those rostered leaders in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship who have been thus called, approved, ordained, commissioned, or consecrated.

07-05 A MEMORIAL TO ENDORSE RESTRAINT (PASSED)

WHEREAS, the ELCA policy documents Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline and Vision and Expectations are separate from the ELCA Constitution and pertain to rostered service in the ELCA; and

RESOLVED, that this Synod Assembly submit the following memorial for consideration by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA endorses and calls for restraint in the application of provisions relating to the rostered service of persons who, in policies separate from the ELCA Constitution, are referred to as "practicing homosexuals" or as "homosexual in their self-understanding."

07-06 A Memorial on the Naming of God

This memorial was referred to the Synod Council to establish a study committee that would also invite congregational response to report to the 2008 Synod Assembly with recommendations.

WHEREAS Holy Scripture reveals and teaches in Matthew 28:19 that God is named Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and

WHEREAS Jesus directs us to pray to God as Father (Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2); and

WHEREAS Martin Luther in the Small Catechism reminds us that God ‘is truly our Father and we are truly his children (Introduction, Lords Prayer); and

WHEREAS the ELCA’s confession of faith begins with, “This church confesses the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (2.01, ELCA Constitution); and

WHEREAS Evangelical Lutheran Worship, a service book of the ELCA, frequently prefers other titles for God beside the names of the Holy Trinity and often indicates the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as only one option among others for the name of God; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the Synod memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to declare that the ELCA give specific and intentional priority to the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in its worship and educational materials; and memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to direct the ELCA Secretary to send thus declaration to:

ELCA seminary presidents and faculty, urging that they stress the confession of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in its theological education of rostered leaders; and

ELCA pastors and congregations, urging those using Evangelical Lutheran Worship to use the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in those cases where other options are indicated; and urging those using other worship resources to use the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in their worship; and

The management of Augsburg Fortress and to those churchwide leaders who are responsible for preparing liturgical and educational materials for the ELCA, urging them to uplift this revealed name of God in materials prepared for congregational worship and instruction.

07-07 Resolution On the New England Synod Council's Statement of December 1, 2006, "Guidance for Pastors and Congregations of the New England Synod, ELCA, Regarding the Blessing of Unions of Same Sex Couples" DEFEATED

WHEREAS, the 2005 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, held in Orlando, Florida, adopted a measure to “continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the ELCA's Conference of Bishops” on the blessing of same-sex unions, and

WHEREAS, the text of the Bishops’ Statement declares, “There is no basis either in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We therefore do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church's ministry,” and

WHEREAS, any rite for the blessing of a same-sex union approved by an ELCA synod or congregation constitutes an official action with regard to this church's ministry, and

WHEREAS, to interpret the clause in the Bishops' Statement “to explore the best ways to provide pastoral care for all to whom they minister” as legitimizing the creation of rites for the blessing of same sex unions is a misreading, hence erroneous interpretation of what the Bishops intended in their Statement, and

WHEREAS, in recommending a rite for the blessing of same-sex unions by rostered personnel of the Synod in its Statement of December 1, 2006, the Synod Council directly contravened the Bishops’ Statement of 1993 and the action of ELCA's Churchwide Assembly, and

WHEREAS, the action of the Synod Council is destructive of the unity of the ELCA both as an organization and as a body of Christian believers that has resolved to “live together faithfully” as it deliberates on questions at issue, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this New England Synod Assembly call upon the Synod Council to withdraw the Statement of December 1, 2006, with its accompanying Guidance in order to live together faithfully by fostering further conversation on and discussion of the issues in concert with the whole Church. .

07-08 Resolution on The Distribution of Holy Communion (DEFEATED)

WHEREAS Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America confess the Church to be the Body of Christ into which we are incorporated by Baptism in the Name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and

WHEREAS Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America confess that Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord=s Supper as a Means of Grace to sustain the Baptized in their life as members of the Body, and

WHEREAS the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has entered in upon Full Communion Agreements with the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and several bodies of the Reformed tradition, including the United Church of Christ, and

WHEREAS it has been noted that some congregations of our Full Communion partners on the territory of the New England Synod seem have begun the practice of inviting one and all whether baptized or not to partake of the Sacrament in Services at which the Lord=s Supper is celebrated, and

WHEREAS such a practice, if officially sanctioned, would indicate a serious difference in the understanding both of the nature of the Church and the Lord=s Supper on the part of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the full communion partners named above, and

WHEREAS the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee and the Lutheran-Reformed Coordinating Committee provide appropriate vehicles for theological conversations on topics of mutual interest and concern in our respective communions, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that pastors and congregations of this Church review their own practice with regard to those invited to partake of Holy Communion in their services of worship, in keeping with the teaching that Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace to sustain the Baptized, and, if possible, engage pastor and congregations of this church's full communion partners in these conversations, in the spirit of the mutual admonition and encouragement called for by our full communion agreements, and be it further

RESOLVED, that this New England Synod Assembly direct the New England Synod Council to forward this resolution to the Church Council's Executive Committee for proper referral and disposition under the by-laws and continuing resolutions of this Church.

07-09 Resolution on the Iraq War (PASSED)

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of U.S. armed forces have been killed or wounded in the Iraq war and hundred of thousands of civilians have been killed in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, over $350 billion has been spent already on the war in Iraq, and the President has requested $100 billion additional in 2007 and $145 billion for 2008 (1); and

WHEREAS, increasing the U.S. development assistance by just one percent of the U.S. national budget of 2.8 trillion (or $28 billion) would allow major progress toward meeting the eight World Millennium Goals (MDGs) (by 2015 to: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger; Achieve Universal Primary Education; Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women; Reduce Child Mortality; Improve Maternal Health; Combat HIVAIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases; Ensure Environmental Sustainability; Create a Global Partnership for Development) (2); therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the New England Synod encourage ELCA congregations, ELCA auxiliary organizations, and their leadership to consider, pray, and advocate publicly on the issue of the U.S. involvement in Iraq and on the necessity to work for a just peace according to their consciences and their understanding of the call to public ministry by baptized Christians, informed by the ELCA documents: “Toward a Just Peace” and “A Time of Terrorism.”

(1) “Bush budget nears $3 trillion: War costs to Rise $100 billion,” The Burlington Free Press, 3 February 2007.

(2) “One Campaign to Make Poverty History,” www.elca.org/advocacy.

07-10 Resolution on Global Climate Change (PASSED)

WHEREAS, global climate change is occurring, due to human activity: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that “There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities” (3); and

WHEREAS, the poor especially are harmed due to global climate change, as they live in low-lying areas, such as Bangladesh; and

WHEREAS, global climate change is considered by many scientists and others to be the most serious problem affecting the present and future generations; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the New England Synod urge the congregations and auxiliary organizations of the synod to form care for creation committees and become care for creation centers, and be it further

RESOLVED that all congregations of the New England Synod be encouraged to perform an energy audit by January 2008 and commit to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent within the next 10 years.

(3) From the Summary for Policymakers, A Report of Working Group 1 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, cited in Discussion Guide on Global Warming (Northeast Earth Institute, 2007)