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So that you understand the references: 3A contains 2 resolves as noted; 3B contains 2 resolves; the full up version includes A and B, hence the numbering to 4. This report will be cumulative each time it is sent out. This report will be issued on Tuesdays.
3A-1. To adopt the proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality and its implementing resolutions, as recommended by the ELCA Church Council.
3A-2. To adopt the four parts of the proposed Recommendation on Ministry Policies, as recommended by the ELCA Church Council.
3B-3. To adopt the following additional implementing resolution of the Social Statement on Human Sexuality: "To direct appropriate churchwide units to develop, in consultation with those most affected, resources for congregations or faith-communities and ministers that choose to do so to support same-gender relationships by holding them publicly accountable in the exchange of promises of lifelong love and fidelity."
3B-4. To adopt the following: "Resolved, that the Vocation and Education unit be directed to develop, and the Church Council be directed to approve, procedures for the reception from another Lutheran church-body and for the expedited reinstatement to the roster or to candidacy of those whose rostering was precluded by previous policies on same-gender relationships."
| Stats |
| Assembly held |
13 |
| Passed 3A-1 (or equivalent) |
9 |
| Passed 3A-2 (or equivalent) |
6 |
| Passed 3B-3 (or equivalent) |
2 |
| Passed 3B-4 (or equivalent) |
2 |
| Defeated memorial requiring 2/3rds |
7 |
|
| Passed anti 3A-1 |
0 |
| Passed anti 3A-2 |
0 |
| Passed anti 3B-3 |
0 |
| Passed anti 3B-4 |
0 |
| Passed memorial requiring 2/3rds |
2 |
|
SE Pennsylvania
Passed 3B on voice vote (Since this was a late submission, this memorial required a 2/3 vote for consideration. Therefore, it's quite likely that the voice vote on Goodsoil 3B was above 2/3).
Defeated 2/3 memorial 202 Y / 242 N (55% in our favor)
Metro DC
Passed 3A&B 178 Y / 64 N (74%)
John White Elected Synod Vice-President (ally)
Motion to impose 2/3 on our deliberations of sexuality ruled out of order
Hearings were held over meals on each of the content resolutions (not Greetings and Thanks ones) coming before the assembly. Additionally, a hearing on the Social Statement by a member of the Task Force for the full 8 years. Very helpful. Allowed for dialogue and clarification prior to parliamentary consideration in a plenary session. Created less stress in the parliamentary session; some of the arguments against our resolution were not repeated in the parliamentary phase; instead there were multiple and convoluted attempts (amendment of the amendment of the amendment stuff) to edit (water down) or eliminate 3B, all of which produced heat/no light and failed in the end. Opposition more directly visible during the hearings than the parliamentary consideration.
Florida-Bahamas
Passed welcoming statement (did not mention gender identity): passed by estimated 75%
Passed 3A 1 (social statement) 270 Y / 163 N (62%)
Passed 3A 2 (rostering recommendations in stair-step order) — vote count unknown
Defeated anti-Social Statement (offered as substitute): 180 Y / 250 N (58% in our favor)
Anti-Rostering Recommendations did not come to vote.
Passed 2/3 memorial — vote count unknown, but seemed very close.
Elected Cheryl Stuart as Synod Vice-President (strong ally)
Assembly was characterized by lively debate on both sides. CORE present and visible.
Eastern Washington Idaho
Passed Goodsoil 3A 148 Yes / 89 No (62%)
Defeated 2/3 95 Yes / 152 No (62% in our favor)
Rocky Mountain
Passed Goodsoil 3A 244 Yes / 59 No (81%)
Defeated 2/3 by similar margin
Eastern North Dakota
Goodsoil 3A was (apparently) split: Social Statement passed overwhelmingly; Rostering narrowly defeated 167 Yes / 187 No (47% in our favor)
SE Minnesota
Passed resolution to "request the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Council to become a Reconciling in Christ member by developing, adopting and submitting an Affirmation of Welcome that may also become a model to its member congregations." 171 Yes to 149 No (53%)
Passed "resolution of welcome and support for persons of same-gender sexual orientation" (no vote count taken).
Tabled Goodsoil 3A (no vote count).
Defeated 2/3 memorial 218 Yes / 251 No (54% in our favor)
Defeated memorial to reject social statement 119 Yes / 270 No (69% in our favor)
Defeated memorial to reject rostering recommendations 151 Yes / 272 No (64% in our favor)
Western Iowa
There were 5 anti-gay resolutions proposed (reject the Social Statement; reject the clergy policies changes; define marriage as "one-man/one-woman"; require a super majority at national assembly on any gay issues; etc.), all of which contained a provision to memorialize the national assembly accordingly. But earlier a resolution had been passed to require a 2/3 super majority on any resolution with a memorial attached. As a result, most of the anti-gay resolutions obtained a majority vote, but not the required 2/3.
SE Michigan
Goodsoil 3A passed 251 Yes / 73 No (77%) Rev. Stephen Marsh was elected to serve as bishop — an African-American originally from the Chicago area, who served as a parish pastor in New York for a number of years and has been a Assistant to the Bishop in Southeast Michigan for several years. He is a strong supporter of full inclusion of LGBT folk in the life of the church.
Alaska
No known legislative activity from either side. Workshops were conducted and an inquiry about forming a Lutherans Concerned chapter has been received.
Arkansas-Oklahoma
Passed Round 3 (version A) 81-42 (66%)
Defeated 2/3 memorial.
In addition to our resolutions, there were two other resolutions, one supporting requiring the 2/3 vote and the other the negative version of ours. The parliamentary procedure followed was that both those pro and con resolutions would be introduced and on the table at the same time, with the intent of substituting one for the other. In the end, the 2/3 requirement memorial was defeated, as was the substitution of the resolution against the Social Statement and Ministry Policies Recommendation. Inquiry was received about forming a Lutherans Concerned chapter.
North TX/North LA
Passed a memorial calling for the CWA to adopt the social statement. (Rostering not discussed).
Passed 2/3 memorial.
NE Minnesota
Passed Round 2 Memorial on Same-Gender relationships, 190-175. (52%)
Round 2 Memorial on Rostering was substantially amended, deleting all resolves except for the final resolve which was rewritten to: "Resolved, to gratefully receive the 2009 'Report and Recommendations on Ministry Policies' of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality as a resource to guide this church as we serve Christ." This passed by an overwhelming margin.
The reason for deleting almost all of the resolves seemed to be that folks didn't want to "muddy the waters" in relation to the proposed statement and recommendations. Remember, this was the Round 2 version. This was done so as not to pass language that wasn't exactly the language proposed/recommended by the church council. |
