Budget, LIFT, Malaria

[Richard Johnson]

The Monday afternoon communion service celebrated Mary, Mother of our Lord. The music was good, the liturgy was fairly orthodox. Bp. Hanson's sermon was pretty political, taking on the recent debt limit debate and taking what I took to be a sidewise swipe at Gov. Rick Perry. Well, it's all there in the Magnificat, just read it.

Got to Plenary 2 late, as I was having dinner with Tom Pearson.  Mr. Pena in the chair. I came in on the budget presentation, the first round of it. Feel good video about mission congregations. Now for an overview of how budget will be spent:

24.1% supporting congregations and outreach ministries
23.7% stepping forward as a public church (really) [most of which from World Hunger Funds]
6.1% growing our global and ecumenical companionships
17.8% bringing forth leaders
5.4% stewardship and mission funding
1`.3% governance procedures (churchwide assembly & church council expenses)
21.7% coordination and support (that's office of bishop, secretary, communications, archives, etc.)

Nominating committee report was next.

Credentials report: 1,017 voting members in attendance.

Second part of LIFT presentation. Dr. Torgerson, Decorah College, providing overview of actions to be considered tomorrow.

Methodology: In depth analysis of ELCA governing assumptions, asking if they continue to be important and central to its mission, taking into account new issues of social networking etc.
Next step to formulate affirmations, including conclusion that theology, purposes of constitution remain important to this church: concept that ELCA is one church with three expressions; interdependence; relationships with other organizations; commitment to diversity and inclusion of women, persons of color, youth, youth adults.

Four general areas:

Churchwide assembly: not just going to triennial cycle, but connected with recommendation for other non-legislative gatherings. Cost an important consideration (3 million dollars, 15,000 hours of staff time). Triennial cycle used by Episcopalians, LCMS, ELCIC.

Church council: Recommendation to expand size of Council; geographic representation will continue but additional provisions to add expertise, including representation from bishops.

Program committees: eliminate these committees, develop other ways of connection. No longer cost-effective from stewardship perspective.

Interrelationshiops and networking: how can we connect with members more effectively?


Proposal calls for ongoing review of structure and governance of this church.

Bishop Hanson back in the chair. A raucous singing of "O for a thousand tongues to sing," and then the introduction of the social statement on genetics. Cochair of task force introduces member of the task force, a farmer, who talks about how statement "reminds him" of various issues and concerns. "This was never anti-GMO, but meant to stimulate deeper thinking by all, including farmers." Another member of the task force: Statement represents good science, and is in harmony with Christian faith. Another task force member, seminary professor: statement recognizes complexity of human community of life, and principle of justice is emphasized and spelled out. Another task force member: as a member of a family with a rare genetic disease, this statements helps to make decisions, engaging conversation, expand my own thinking.

Bp. Hanson noted that LIFT recommendation proposes that no additional social statements be brought to churchwide assembly until after certain other reviews be finished. There is to be a review process of current social statement process and procedure. But these will not effect action on the genetics social statement.

Andrea DeGroot Nesdahl called to the platform to speak about ELCA Malaria Campaign. She suggests that Peter's mother-in-law likely had malaria. Described malaria symptoms and progress. Jesus "rebuked the fever."

"We need a common goal, a calling beyond ourselves, where our financial resources and our passions can make a difference to the global future."
"There are other denominations in this effort . . ." These next four years we're all going to "roll back" malaria, be more like Jesus, make malaria history by 2015.

DeGroot Nesdahl announced Campaign has already received 1.5 million. 10% of goal. Invited churchwide assembly voting members to make pledges and become part of "leadership circle."

A very strong presentation, but not a word here about the ELCA's pulling out of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative last fall (you know, the one that was similarly ballyhooed at the 2009 assembly) in order to "do our own thing." Well, since 65% of these voting members weren't here in 2009, they don't remember that.

Secretary Swartling moved to launch "ELCA Malaria Campaign." Motion to amend the recommendation—the gist of it is to emphasize that giving to malaria campaign should be "over and above" world hunger giving. Motion approved.

A remarkable comment by a voting member from Ohio pointing out that in the genetics statement, we advocate respect for all life, which would include the malaria virus. Um, OK.

Another voting member asked for more specificity as to how the 15 million is to be spent. Answer is that very specific plans have been adopted in consultation with African partner churches. Yeah, that answered the question.

Concern raised about possibility of "dueling campaigns" in congregations between hunger, malaria, HIV AIDS, etc.

Motion to add reference to "full communion partners" (referring to those joining with us in fighting malaria), carried. Guess LCMS and LWF effort not worth mentioning here either.

Motion to end debate carried, and the ELCA Malaria Campaign was approved by a vote of 968-19.

Plenary closed with announcements and singing of a hymn.

[djbaer]

Richard:

Did anyone ask a question about the Lutheran Malaria Initiative they approved two years ago and why they weren't working with LWR and LCMS?

[Erma S. Wolf]

Richard wrote:  "Motion to end debate carried, and the ELCA Malaria Campaign was approved by a vote of 968-19.
Plenary closed with announcements and singing of a hymn."

Over on the Facebook ELCA Clergy page there has been great hilarity:  following a 45 minute presentation and "debate" regarding the Malaria Campaign, Bishop Hanson announced the closing hymn, "Thy Holy Wings."   

At least it wasn't "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir."  (I missed the person at the mic who opposed this campaign since we are supposed to honor the sanctity of all life, and wouldn't that include the malaria virus?  )



     

[Buckeye Deaconess]

(I missed the person at the mic who opposed this campaign since we are supposed to honor the sanctity of all life, and wouldn't that include the malaria virus?  )   

For the record, even though the person was from Ohio, I assure you I did not have any influence whatsoever on them!   I value Life, but I fully support all efforts to squash the life out of annoying, pesky bugs that carry a disease which kills children especially.

[LutherMan]

ELCA assembly officially launches the ELCA Malaria Campaign

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=5151

Interesting...
Shame that ELCA pulled out of LMI.

[Coach-Rev]

A remarkable comment by a voting member from Ohio pointing out that in the genetics statement, we advocate respect for all life, which would include the malaria virus. Um, OK.

Seriously??  OMG, I always knew the hippie tree huggers reduced human life to be on par with all animals, but now we've sunk to the lowest common denominator of a virus?  Wow. 

[Charles_Austin]

Pastor Cottingham writes:
Seriously??  OMG, I always knew the hippie tree huggers reduced human life to be on par with all animals, but now we've sunk to the lowest common denominator of a virus?

I comment:
That's the way to go, Pastor Cottingham; take one off beat, uncharacteristic, oddball comment - spoken in a context that you could not see or experience - and make it represent the whole. How about some of that "fairness" people who have left the ELCA demand of others who speak about them.
No, the remark was not taken "seriously" at all.
But have your fun. We can take it.

[revklak]

A remarkable comment by a voting member from Ohio pointing out that in the genetics statement, we advocate respect for all life, which would include the malaria virus. Um, OK.

Seriously??  OMG, I always knew the hippie tree huggers reduced human life to be on par with all animals, but now we've sunk to the lowest common denominator of a virus?  Wow.

Not to derail thread, just a comment (a sad commentary - especially since this was probably an attempt at humor to add to the fresh, bold, new doctrines perspectives in the ELCA):  When was the last time we heard at a CWA a comment that a  "social statement" calls for "respect for life" and one spoke out to respect the life of the human child in the womb?  I guess that was settled by majority vote in what, 91?

[Team Hesse]

A remarkable comment by a voting member from Ohio pointing out that in the genetics statement, we advocate respect for all life, which would include the malaria virus. Um, OK.

Seriously??  OMG, I always knew the hippie tree huggers reduced human life to be on par with all animals, but now we've sunk to the lowest common denominator of a virus?  Wow.

I think the gentleman may have been pointing out another example of living life at the "intersection of oppressions".

It is a tough place to live, having to decide who is worthy of value and who is not. By one action all life is valued, by the next action some life is devalued. And so it goes.....as I was taught in agronomy at Iowa State, "a weed is a plant out of place."

When all that you have is the law, law is all you have; and you really do live at "the intersection of oppressions." Catchy phrase, very revelatory.

Lou