May 31, 2007

All-member email on synod progress with commentary

FROM: Emily Eastwood, Executive Director

Since our all-member email updating you on our progress with synod assemblies, I have received several messages which basically say "what does all this mean for us?" When my own mom and dad, who track every message we send out, asked the question too, I figured more info is better than less.

In short, we are delighted with results to date. The stories coming out of synod assemblies have been very moving. Even in defeat there have been tiny victories which bode well for the future.

With eight out of nineteen synod assemblies passing memorial #1, we are ahead of expectations by four synods. Several synods that defeated the third recommendation of the Sexuality Task Force ("this church may choose to refrain from discipline") in 2005 have passed our memorial #1 on policy change. The debate in these synods has been marked by witness from previously unknown allies from far flung points in the synod who tell compelling stories of friends and children adversely affected by the church's policy of exclusion.

Those synod assemblies which have defeated our memorial #1 are synods in which our team of synodical allies performed a minor or sometimes major miracle just to get the memorial to the floor. We expected defeats in those synods. Still I want all of you to understand that having official floor conversations regarding justice for LGBT people is always helpful in the long run. This is a marathon we are running. Several of these synods saw organized allied legislative action for the first time. Some had wonderful hospitality suites greeting new friends for future action. Also, you should know that, in several of these synods, votes were quite close.

Memorials #2 and #3 on "refrain" and "restraint" are meeting with mixed reviews. Two synods have passed all three, so both of these memorials will be on the docket for Churchwide Assembly. Several which passed memorial #1 purposefully removed memorials #2 and #3 from consideration for the sake of time. With bishop elections in over 1/3 of the synods this round, time is of the essence. Southwest Washington passed memorial #1 in the last 2 minutes of their assembly. It appears that most synods are more interested in policy change than any lesser remedy. This is heartening indeed.

To date, only two synods have passed a memorial asking the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to delay action until 2009.

I would like to personally thank all of you who have been involved in your synod assemblies. Many of you have activated for the first time. How exciting. Our success so far is indeed a tribute to excellent grassroots work and a very heavy dose of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who walks with us, permeates the very air we breathe, and inspires us to tell our truth. I am blown away by your efforts. We are indeed Living in God's Amazing Grace. Let the people say Amen!