June 6, 2007

Synod updates and request for continued prayer and support

The results from voting on memorials at synod assemblies of the ELCA this spring have been nothing short of astounding. This past weekend, seven additional synods passed Goodsoil Memorial 1 that requests the Churchwide Assembly to direct that changes be made to the ELCA documents, Vision and Expectations and Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline. These changes will lead to the elimination of policies precluding rostered service for candidates in committed same-gender relationships . The total number of synods which have passed Memorial 1 now stands at 15. Our original goal was to reach 10–12 synods passing Memorial 1 on policy change.

In addition to these remarkable actions, a total of seven synod assemblies have passed versions of Memorial 2, encouraging the church to refrain from discipline. Five synod assemblies have passed versions of Memorial 3, endorsing restraint in discipline. Indeed this past weekend, in the New Jersey and Northwest Washington Synods, all three memorials passed by overwhelming majorities. This is amazing news. The level of dialogue alone that is occurring in so many assemblies this year is unprecedented.

Thank you! These results are surely a testament to the lively work of the Holy Spirit in, through and among us. They are also a witness to the incredible work of every one of you who has participated in this effort. The leadership of the Goodsoil legislative team and Lutherans Concerned / North America stand in awe of the amazing organizing, planning, presenting, and yes, sweating, that has actively and graciously engaged Lutherans across the ELCA in these last few weeks.

Sixteen more synod assemblies will meet this coming weekend (June 7–10), leaving only seven that will be held in the final weeks of June. We are reasonably confident that the Goodsoil memorials will pass in several of the sixteen.

What a powerful witness this is as we prepare for and make our way to the Churchwide Assembly meeting in Chicago this August. We appreciate your continuing prayers and diligent care as we work together for the full inclusion and welcome of all God's people in Jesus' name.

Thanks be to God!
The Goodsoil Legislative Team

Summary of synod assembly results, confirmed as of June 6, 2007

MEMORIAL 1 – PASSED BY FIFTEEN SYNODS: Sierra Pacific; South/Central Wisconsin; Southeastern Pennsylvania; Northeastern Minnesota; Rocky Mountain; Metro New York; Southwestern Washington; Oregon; Southwest California; Minneapolis Area; Saint Paul Area; New Jersey; Northwest Washington; Greater Milwaukee; and Upstate New York.

MEMORIAL 2 – PASSED BY SEVEN SYNODS: Rocky Mountain; Oregon; Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast; Northwestern Washington; New Jersey; Minneapolis Area; and Saint Paul Area.

MEMORIAL 3 – PASSED BY FIVE SYNODS: Southeastern Michigan (variant form); Rocky Mountain; Oregon; New Jersey; and Northwestern Washington.

MEMORIAL TO DELAY ACTION UNTIL 2009 – PASSED BY FOUR SYNODS: Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana; Eastern North Dakota; North Carolina; and South Dakota. (Northwestern Ohio and North/West Lower Michigan passed "delay" only as a synodical resolution, not a memorial to the Churchwide Assembly.)

MEMORIAL AGAINST BLESSING SAME-GENDER UNIONS – PASSED BY ONE SYNOD: Eastern North Dakota; (Southwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Ohio passed synodical resolutions against blessing unions, but not memorials to the Churchwide Assembly).

At this time we do not have confirmed information on three synods: South Carolina; Western North Dakota; West Virginia-Western Maryland.