|
Once again, the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver, and the University of British Columbia showed themselves off proudly. The weather was a repeat of yesterday, the sky lovely as before, the outside very alluring. Today, the weather and delightful surroundings banked appreciation against the next rainy period.
Inside was a different matter. Despite the cheery face being put on as we began the legislative convention day, everyone was aware that the sledding was going to anything but easy. In that, it did not disappoint.
Elections NCC Results were announced:
British Columbia Synod Lay — Jeanie Stann 211, Alvin Stedel 102 — Stann elected
Alberta Synod Lay — Barb Stolee 224, Keith Odegard 94 — Stolee elected
Alberta Synod Ordained — Trish Schmermund 206, Philip Gagnon 118 — Schmermund elected
Saskatchewan Synod Lay — Heidi Hasselink 201, Karen Johansen 118
Eastern Synod Ordained — Douglas Reble 211, Peeter Vanker 106 — Reble elected
Eastern Synod Lay — errors in the ballot caused the necessity of a further ballot and vote.
All of those who led going into this ballot were elected.
R & C Motion 1.1
As amended by RC is back, having completed its 24-hour notice period. The original motion took the National Church Council (NCC) out of the action to create the Nominating Committee for the next convention, leaving only a procedure for nominations from the floor of the convention. R & C amended the original by returning to the existing text and adding "Opportunity shall be given for nominations from the floor." The amendment is before the convention.
Debate
Against: the intent of the motion as framed to remove NCC from the action and this amendment does not.
Maker: I accept the amendment as friendly
For: This amendment is in line with our polity.
Chair: To pass this takes a two-thirds majority
VOTE: Passes by Cards
R & C 1.5 Resolution Regarding Congregations Leaving the ELCIC
"That this convention direct the NCC to recognize that, "if a congregation chooses to sever its relationship with the ELCIC in accordance with the ELCIC Constitution, the congregation has no claim on any assets of the ELCIC or it subsidiaries and no responsibility for any liabilities of the ELCIC or its subsidiaries."
R & C recommends No Action
R & C says though it is not clear in the motion, it is clear from the rationale accompanying the motion that the issue is the unfunded pension liability. There are lawsuits in this very matter and it would be unhelpful for the convention to move on this matter.
Debate
Against: Invoices should not be presented to congregations that are leaving
Against: It is not helpful for RC to make motions instead of recommendations. The process that includes No Action seems to disadvantage the minority. We should reject the No Actions motions so we can come together as a house over the discussion of the issues.
For: We are all working hard here. The economy has hit all churches hard. We need to offer olive branches to each other. We need to come together in love, not division.
Against: The R & C rationale is irrelevant because the court case focuses on the past, the motion focuses on the future.
For: The unfunded liability bill comes only when the congregation is behind in its payments. If the departing congregation is current on its bills in this regard, no invoice is presented.
Micro: Makes a procedural motion to refer. I want to refer the No Action motion to NCC. Lacks clarity.
Bishop: To do that you need to defeat No Action and then move to refer the Main Motion .
VOTE: Green No Action Passes
R & C Motion 1.6 has been withdrawn
Committee of the Whole
Beginning announced, but…
Micro: Motion to amend the agenda of the day to allow for additional R & C time
Bishop: Like the house's advice: do the schedule as approved or extend the R & C session?
VOTE Cards: Unclear difference
Chair: Rules we will go with the scheduled Committee of the Whole
Challenge
VOTE: Green, Chair's ruling upheld
Committee of the Whole
Alberta Calvary clergy: Came to convention with a lot of hope. But halfway through find that R & C recommendations have become motions. Dismayed.
Micro: Petitions of congregations not being in the Bulletin of Reports has disenfranchised them. R & C is the gate keeper; if so, has the responsibility to help clear up vagueness in motions; they did not have time enough to do their job properly.
Micro: Last convention motions referred to Faith, Order and Doctrine. Natl Convention 97.34.
NCC said the process of sexuality study/social statement is ongoing.
Bishop: NCC has reported out its response in its report. Secondly, policy statements will be made by the NCC, only after the TF finishes its work
Micro: Offers thanks to the bishop, NCC and R & C.
Micro: Very disheartened at how the motions coming before this convention have been handled. Disrespectful. The motions not being considered by the convention is not a sign of hope.
Micro: Lutheran from the womb. Have listened and participated in a lot of the changes over 58 years. I felt a call to ministry, and did not feel the courage to stand up for what the church was doing. Pleased to now answer the call to ministry. Call on all to have the courage to be transformed.
Micro: Would like to make a motion
Chair: Inappropriate in Committee of the Whole
Micro: There is a feeling of no hearing, no listening, no action. Why are we here?
Micro: Want to focus on the language in some of the motions we have heard. Speaking here about the language used regarding the Anglican Church. There is NO talk of merger… none. 1938, the Lutheran Church of Latvia and the Anglican Church of the UK signed communion… they are still separate bodies. Support our talks, they are not about merger.
Micro: the time here has been challenging and affirming. Church unity. Unity in diversity = our history as Canadians. It's ok to share our differencs. To those thinking about leaving — think about it very carefully. If you vote with your feet, you lose your vote. If you vote with your wallet, you place at risk your brother's church.
Micro: Would like to share a joy: the webcast for those who cannot be here.
Corrected Ballot for NCC passed out; vote.
Announcements
NCC Elections Results
Eastern Lay 1 — Teddy Pope 210, Lois Reinert 113 — Pope elected
Eastern Lay — Marie-Laure Collet 226, Alven Choi 106 — Collet elected
Reference and Counsel
Micro: Move to suspend the rules
Bishop: To what purpose
Micro: to make the recommendations of R & C non-debatable
Against: If that is made so, the rationale of R & C for the would be non-debatable and go unresponded to
Against: If it applies to all recommendations of R & C would mean all debate would cease on the floor
Against: Amend to say only the recommendations that say only the No Action recommendations are non-debatable
Chair: the R & C rationale would still be heard
VOTE: Amendment Passed by Cards
For: This now amended motion will allow us to get to more of the motions still to come
VOTE Passed by Cards (required two-thirds ruled achieved)
Division of the House called for
Yes 211 No 94 PASSED
Reference and Counsel
Micro: Appeal the ruling of the Chair that we would still hear the rationale of R & C
VOTE: Green by cards, ruling of the chair upheld
R & C 1.7 and 1.8 both have to do with the timing of the election of delegates to the National Convention….
R & C No Action
NCC has changed the corporate bylaws to be the timings requested in both motions. Redundant.
VOTE: sequentially on each, by Cards, Green No Action Passed
R & C Motion 1.9 Resolutions to Maintain the ELCIC as an Independent Church
R & C No Action
This fails to recognize the nature of the relationship between the ELCIC and the Anglican Church in Canada. Never has merger been part of the arrangement.
VOTE: by Cards, No Action Passed
R & C Motion 2.4 Restraint on Discipline for Participants in Gay or Lesbian Marriages
R & C No Action
Three fold reason…
Micro: Point of Order: is it appropriate that we encourage the leaders of this church to…
Chair: Out of Order
R & C No Action recommended for three reasons:
First, this matter came before the 2007 National Convention and was voted on, did not pass
Second, the church has an approved manual of discipline and discipline is a synodical matter
Third, there is already within the disciplinary procedures and provisions an existing range of options varying in severity.
VOTE: Green, by Cards, No Action Passed
R & C Motion 2.5 Restraint on Discipline for Participants in Call and/or Ordination of "Self-Declared and Practicing Homosexuals"
R & C No Action
For the same reasons given in 2.4
VOTE: Green, by Cards, No Action Passed
R & C Motion 3.1 Resolution Regarding Entrance to and Exit From the ELCIC
R & C No Action
Procedures already exist. Redundant.
VOTE: Green, by Cards, No Action Passed
It was a busy day, but the debates were respectful for the most part, and the order of business was maintained such that all the business to come before the convention was handled. Spirits remained positive, judging by the demeanor of folks on breaks and during meals.
Have tried to give those not attending a feel for the proceedings.
The Convention recessed
This evening there will be an acknowledgement and recognition of service for Roger Kingsley, outgoing Vice President, the outgoing NCC members, Kelvin Krieger, ELCIC World Mission, and the Local Arrangements Committee Co-chairs for this convention.
Additionally, further Stories of Hope will be heard.
Tomorrow will be the Closing Worship Service. I will do one more report, on it.
Peace and blessings on all who read or will read these reports. |
