January 23, 2007

Trial of Pastor Bradley Schmeling – day five

Weather is bright and clear. Temperature in the 40s [Fahrenheit].

Today the trial wrapped up.

We gathered in our room this morning for a Eucharist service prior to the trial re-commencing. Bradley used a Eucharist set he had acquired in Northern Ireland, a place much in need of and now in a process of healing and reconciliation. He thought it particularly appropriate to use this set for the first time at this small Eucharist service. The text Bradley chose for the reading was the Wedding Feast at Cana. In our discussion of the text, many things were brought forward. This was water set aside for ritual washings and He changed it into wine, presaging the change from past to present that was going to occur because He was here, setting up His use of wine at the end of His earthly life, transforming it once again, into sacrament. Reflecting on Mary, a mother who knew her son: He asks what this shortage of wine had to do with either of them; this wasn't His time. And you could just imagine her standing there, nodding once knowingly, and calmly saying to the servants as she walked off, "Do whatever He says," knowing He was going to do something. Think on the servants told to draw a cup of this water-going-to-wine and take it to the Chief Steward; they bore the message. They also knew what had happened and were going to have to (try to) explain it. They were changed by this. And, books have been written on "Do whatever He says." The discussion was wonderful. We celebrated the Eucharist, praying as we all have been instructed to do: "Our Father, who…" And sang hymns…

The trial re-commenced.

The witnesses today for the defense:

• The Rev Jennifer Thomas, pastor of Lake Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and member of the ELCA Church Council
• Ms Joanne Chadwick, retired Executive Director of the ELCA Commission for Women

Closing arguments were made, and, at 12:45 pm, the proceedings of the Disciplinary Hearing of Pastor Bradley Schmeling closed. Deliberations began in the afternoon following lunch and will continue to a decision. The decision will then be written up and the results transmitted simultaneously to Bishop Warren, Secretary Almen, and Pastor Bradley. That must be done within 15 days from today.

We will communicate with you as soon as we know anything definitive.

Bradley was effusive in his ardent thanks to everyone from everywhere who supported Pastor Darin and himself and his congregation through this experience. He will be in communication with everyone in the coming days.

We will communicate with you one more time from here in the hotel in Atlanta tomorrow.

Phil Soucy
Director Communications LC/NA
communications@lcna.org