From The Field: A Report from the ELCA Churchwide Assembly (2)

I don't know how so many people managed to survive an entire week of assembly-going. I didn't get to Navy Pier until the week was half over...and I am exhausted! Is there really any value in putting people through such a grueling event every two years? As much as I like seeing all my friends, I have a hard time seeing it. Anyway, here are some more things I heard around the edges during my days on the assembly grounds:

“This will give us a chance to serve freely.” One voting member, speaking to the assembly, asking them to vote for change because it would raise the possibility of the Holy Spirit leading the church in all kinds of new directions.

“[I’m concerned about] how to make the decision in a way that brings the best chance of reception. It is the reception issue that brings me to this line [opposing making change now]…we’ve begged people to walk with us, talk with us, trust us…if we desert the process, talking about trust is out of line…”
Ted Schneider, retiring bishop of DC synod, which has been "Reconciled In Christ" (out about welcoming LGBT persons) for years and who had been widely thought of as a friend to the movement, expressing concern not about a change in policy but, rather, about the way in which this decision is being made.

"Self-righteous..."
One voting member, speaking to the assembly, describing the way he views the movement to allow partnered gay & lesbians to be ordained, in light of the fact that ordination - and not blessings for same sex couples - has been the primary focus of their efforts.

"I love to tell the story."
The refrain of the hymn the assembly was asked to sing after they voted NO CHANGE in the policy regarding blessings for same gender couples.

"A dike for dykes."
The way one lesbian described the resolution asking bishops to resist discipling and/or to show restraint when disciplining partnered gay & lesbian pastors, meaning that it would provide at least a little protection until real change can be made.

"Woo hoo! Go lay people!"
One assembly goer's response to the election of David Swartling, a trial lawyer from Seattle, as Secretary of the ELCA, a position previously held for 20 years by an ordained Lutheran pastor.

"I love your shirt!! Where did you get it!?!"
A hot dog vendor at Navy Pier, talking about the "Let Justice Roll" T-shirt my step-daughter was wearing as she was enthusiastically handing out BEW[ARE] buttons to assembly-goers and anyone else on the Pier who wanted one. The young woman sent me this email message early this morning: "Hey! i actually met ur daughter and i think son at a store in navy pier in chicago where i work. i saw their shirts and fell in love with them. she gave me the website and i just read all about u guys." She's going to the cafepress.com F-Word store to get her own today. :)

All in all, it was fun hosting this churchwide event in our neighborhood. I hope at least some of the assembly-goers took our advice about getting a REAL Chicago hot dog and visiting the top 10 most fun things to do in Chicago for $10 or less. We'll leave that info at the A.R.E. web site for awhile just in case you're coming to Chicago sometime soon...you don't want to visit without this important info!