April 14, 2007
Churchwide Assembly update and request for prayers
Greetings in the name of the Risen Christ!
In the next few weeks you will receive several emails regarding the ELCA Synod Assembly season and preparation for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 6–11, 2007. Since the release of the decision of the Hearing Committee regarding Pastor Bradley Schmeling, LC/NA and our collaborative partners through goodsoil.org have been organizing extensively for what is to come.
There is much to do, and we ask that you read this email and those to come carefully to discern your role in this kairos time, this opportune time, when the church may finally choose to turn away from exclusion and answer the Gospel call of God's extravagant welcome for all.
The spring issue of Concord will be mailed next week and includes wonderful coverage of the Schmeling trail and decision. Former Presiding Bishop Herb Chilstrom who provided testimony for the defense gives his reflections. A letter to the Hearing Committee from Bishop Margaret Payne, former Chair of the ELCA Sexuality Task Force is also included with permission. The Hearing Committee was not allowed to read this letter. The spring Concord is a great read, cover to cover.
As previously reported, Bradley's attorneys initiated the appeals process as suggested by the decision itself. The appeal called for a briefing schedule to commence following the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Bishop Warren counter-appealed stating that the Hearing Committee overstepped its bounds by extending the removal date to August 15, 2007. Bishop Warren's appeal seeks to have Bradley removed prior to the Churchwide Assembly. Sadly, his appeal points clearly to one conclusion that Bishop Warren is more personally convicted against homosexuality than his claim to be "duty bound" to his office, the constitution and the policy of exclusion.
The chair of the Committee on Appeals has responded with a briefing schedule which calls for submission of final documents for the appeal no later than June 1, 2007. Once the Committee has received final documents they "normally" render their decision within 60 days. The "normal" due date then would be August 1st, only 5 days before the beginning of the Churchwide Assembly.
In the meantime, also following the direction of the Hearing Committee, the GOODSOIL Legislative Team launched a three memorial package within 48 hours of the release of the decision. The response from volunteers in the field has been unprecedented and magnificent. Regional Coordinators for LC/NA have been very busy working with synodical teams to ensure that one or more of the memorials will be considered.
The first synod assemblies begin next weekend. We are trying to identify members of LC/NA and our allies who are willing to attend their Synod Assemblies. If you are already going or would be willing to go to your synod assembly, please sign up through goodsoil.org under synod assemblies on the home page. The synod assembly season continues through June 2007, so there is still time to sign up.
Next week the preliminary schedule for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be released through the ELCA website. Our schedule of activities will be released shortly thereafter. Updates for schedule and events will be made on the GOODSOIL.ORG website as details become available. We will notify you by email as those updates occur.
The LC/NA Staff members and Board of Directors would like to offer their deepest gratitude for your continuing prayers for our church, Pr Bradley Schmeling and St John's congregation, the leadership of the Southeastern Synod, and for all LGBT members, particularly professional ministers and their families.
During this Eastertide, we invite your prayers for all who minister in their daily lives and for those serving at the ELCA Church Council meeting this weekend in Chicago, for those attending the upcoming synod assemblies and for all those preparing for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Chicago.
Alleluia!
Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, LC/NA
