The ELCA Churchwide Assembly Memorials Committee has attempted to forestall a trainwreck at the Chicago assembly next month by recommending that all memorials and resolutions related to sexuality--both those urging a change in Vision and Expections and those opposing such a change, and those urging development of a rite for same-sex blessings--be referred to the Task Force on Sexuality. This proposal, if adopted, would essentially put off any substantive change in either area until 2009.
It presumably won't prevent discussion this year, however; the recommendation also asks that a verbatim transcript of the CWA's discussion be provided to the Task Force for their edification.
Sounds like a good plan to me. Maybe someone will have the decency to move the previous question before the verbatim transcript gets too long (longer than a paragraph or so, let's say). Only downside is that it keeps all these issues alive for another biennium, but then that would no doubt be the case anyway.
Then there were the resolutions asking bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors in same sex relationships. That one, ilf the Memorials Committee has its way, will be referred to the Council of Bishops as part of an "en bloc" motion. Not a bad idea either, though I must admit I think it would be better to substitute a resolution asking bishops to fulfill their constitutional duties for a change.
All in all, it sounds like there may some interest in allowing plenty of time for the election of a presiding bishop and secretary. If we can put off the sexuality trainwreck another two years, that would probably be a salutary thing.