The thread for info on churches voting to change affiliation & all follow-up.

[George Erdner]

There seems to be a reluctance to allow a thread that's about one particular congregation voting to leave remain active and open because it goes deep into the larger issues of congregations leaving and the ramifications thereof. So, I figure if there's a thread that whose topic is supposed to be all updates about congregations voting to leave, and whether the votes are "go" or "stay", and the follow-up discussions of the ramifications of those votes and the policies and procedures pertaining to such votes, then it wouldn't go "off topic" as long as there are ELCA congregations taking votes to leave.

This is that thread.

[Keith Falk]

While certainly not listing everyone, "Captain Thin" has what seems to be a pretty up-to-date list of congregations leaving - most of them sourced by newspaper articles and the like.


http://blog.captainthin.net/?p=294

[George Erdner]

Here's one that hits me personally. It was the location where I received much of my Lay Worship Leader training. The pastor there was one of our instructors on preaching. I shot the people at that church. It was the location for the 5th anniversary celebration of the JDDJ with Bishops McCoid and Wuerl (of the Pittsburgh Diocese) both preaching. Below is a "fair use" extract of a few paragraphs, and a link to the entire article.

Lutheran congregation to vote on leaving denomination
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Lutheran congregation in Monroeville will vote on whether to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in the wake of the denomination's August decisions to allow local option on the ordination of partnered gay people and on the blessing of same-sex unions.

The first of two required votes, each needing a two-thirds majority, will take place Jan. 31 at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The Congregation Council has proposed joining a much smaller group, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.

"This is about the authority of Scripture, not homosexuality," said the Rev. Eric Ash, the pastor. He said gay people are welcome to join Good Shepherd and receive the sacraments, but that he can't find biblical justification for blessing same-sex relationships or ordaining those in such partnerships. He called the national church's decisions "the final straw" after years of actions that he believed watered down the Christian call to repentance and conversion.

"This is not a rash decision," he said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10019/1029221-56.stm#ixzz0deoAW60W

I think that Pastor Ash's statements are dead-on correct in terms of being an accurate articulation of the traditionalist position.

[George Erdner]

While certainly not listing everyone, "Captain Thin" has what seems to be a pretty up-to-date list of congregations leaving - most of them sourced by newspaper articles and the like.


http://blog.captainthin.net/?p=294

You are correct! That link was posted in the last thread about congregations leaving the ELCA on January 12, 2010. That's the thread that was just closed down. It was also posted on December 19, 2009 in a thread that has slipped off of the main page.

[Michael Slusser]

Here's one that hits me personally. It was the location where I received much of my Lay Worship Leader training. The pastor there was one of our instructors on preaching. I shot the people at that church. It was the location for the 5th anniversary celebration of the JDDJ with Bishops McCoid and Wuerl (of the Pittsburgh Diocese) both preaching. Below is a "fair use" extract of a few paragraphs, and a link to the entire article.

I was there for the JDDJ celebration! Two members of that congregation sang in the same chorus that I sang with when I lived in Pittsburgh.

Peace,
Michael

[George Erdner]

Here's one that hits me personally. It was the location where I received much of my Lay Worship Leader training. The pastor there was one of our instructors on preaching. I shot the people at that church. It was the location for the 5th anniversary celebration of the JDDJ with Bishops McCoid and Wuerl (of the Pittsburgh Diocese) both preaching. Below is a "fair use" extract of a few paragraphs, and a link to the entire article.

I was there for the JDDJ celebration! Two members of that congregation sang in the same chorus that I sang with when I lived in Pittsburgh.

Peace,
Michael

I was there as well! Were you the guy in black with a clerical collar? I probably saw you. I was one of the guys wearing a necktie.

(Aside to everyone else -- well over half the people attending were clergy, and almost all were in their clerics. I don't think I've ever seen so many clerical collars in one gathering before, including the Synod Assembly.)

[George Erdner]

We can add Moe Lutheran Church, in Roseau Minnesota, to the list. They voted on the 17th.

There's no news article, but I did see this entry in their Events Calendar on their website for the 17th.

FOLLOWING ANNUAL MTG OF THE CONGREGATION, SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MTG

I wonder if this will raise some procedural questions if the "special" meeting and the "regular" meetings are held consecutively.

[Paul L. Knudson]

The ELCA congregation in Maple Lake, Minnesota, held their first vote to leave the ELCA on Sunday, January 24.  The vote was over 90% to leave with a good spirit present.  They also voted to join LCMC with a similar percentage vote.

By the way our bishop consulted with Christ Lutheran here in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and came alone as per request.  Faith Lutheran Church, where I belong will recommend a special meeting later in February for its first vote.

[Bergs]

A few weeks ago I reported that American Public Media (Minnesota Public Radio) was looking for stories on those considering leaving or staying in the ELCA and why.  There was an invitation to tell your stories about why you were thinking the way you were.  Here is the follow up email I received.  The reporter says most folks writing to them are planning on staying.  That is not surprising given the demographics of public radio and so far a large majority of ELCA folk. 

Anyway, I post it as we will likely hear some upcoming story on the "Speaking of Faith" radio program.

Grace & Peace
Brian J. Bergs
Minneapolis, MN

Recently you told us about how changes in the ELCA are affecting you, your church, or your community.

Thank you. (If you have more to say, you can do so here.)

We are learning a lot as we read through the more than 2,200 responses we've gotten from ELCA members all over the country.

Most people who have written to us said they haven't considered leaving the church over the ELCA's stance allowing people in committed same-gender relationships to be pastors. Many were concerned that we are giving too much attention to those who want to leave, rather than focusing on the story that most individuals and churches plan to stay with the ELCA.

People who have considered leaving or have already left the ELCA said they can't be part of a church that disobeys Biblical teaching, and that this vote to allow practicing gay clergy was simply one example of a much larger change in the church -- putting American culture above God.

The overwhelming response, from many, many Lutherans of all perspectives, is simply that this church split issue grieves them.

We are currently inviting some religion writers, journalists and theologians to read through the responses and help us make sense of the stories and insights you and others have shared. We will work with these partners and Speaking of Faith -- our program on religion, ethics, meaning and ideas -- to produce a Web site where you'll be able to read people's personal stories (those we've gotten permission to post), as well as what our partners pull from what they read. We'd also like it to be a place where you can continue this conversation online.

In addition, we hope to host an in-person discussion here in our studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, this spring. I'll keep you updated.

When you filled out our survey about the ELCA, you also became a source in our Public Insight Network -- 80,000 smart, connected people who serve as expert sources to help American Public Media reporters uncover trends, find stories missed by others, and produce great coverage on national shows such as Speaking of Faith and Marketplace, and regional newsrooms such as Minnesota Public Radio.

You know a great deal about the ELCA, and we hope you'll share some of your other knowledge to help us cover the news.

We'll e-mail you about once a month asking for your input on topics we're covering. Respond when you have something to say. My fellow Public Insight analysts and I will read your responses, and we'll pass your insights on to reporters and editors.

If an e-mail query isn't relevant to you, delete it or forward it to friends or family who may have knowledge to share.

I hope to hear from you again soon. Feel free to contact me directly anytime with your suggestions, questions or story ideas.

Best wishes,

Melody Ng
Public Insight Analyst
Minnesota Public Radio News
651-290-1499
mng@mpr.org

[Chuck Sampson]

St. Mark's in Lindenhurst, IL (1,400 baptized, Metro Chicago Synod) took its first vote on Sunday with 93% voting to leave the ELCA and 96% voting to affiliate with the LCMC. 

[MSchimmel]

Only slightly off topic - LCMC has been holding open informational meetings all over the country.  Thus far they have been announcing them by email list-servs.

A bunch of them came out this morning and I called up and asked if they wanted them sent out to a wider audience than just the folks on the list-serv.  The answer was affirmative so I have posted them to the lcmcfriends.info message board in a new thread LCMC Informational Meetings.

[JMerrell]

Union Lutheran in Salisbury, NC (founding congregation of the NC Synod and over 230 yrs old) took their first vote before Christmas.  Over 2/3 voted to leave.

[George Erdner]

Only slightly off topic - LCMC has been holding open informational meetings all over the country.  Thus far they have been announcing them by email list-servs.

A bunch of them came out this morning and I called up and asked if they wanted them sent out to a wider audience than just the folks on the list-serv.  The answer was affirmative so I have posted them to the lcmcfriends.info message board in a new thread LCMC Informational Meetings.

And there is finally one being held only a one-hour drive from my home! I'll be there!

[karen]

1/21  Bethel Lutheran in Colorado Springs took 2nd vote.  Left ELCA, joined LCMC.

Congregation membership about 1000

[dkeener]

Only slightly off topic - LCMC has been holding open informational meetings all over the country.  Thus far they have been announcing them by email list-servs.

A bunch of them came out this morning and I called up and asked if they wanted them sent out to a wider audience than just the folks on the list-serv.  The answer was affirmative so I have posted them to the lcmcfriends.info message board in a new thread LCMC Informational Meetings.

And there is finally one being held only a one-hour drive from my home! I'll be there!

Me too - we will finally get to meet face to face. Looking forward to it George.