Garage door all done, and we're ready for plenary 2. First item of business will be report of the first Veep ballot. Well, it was supposed to be. But Bp. Eaton says "we're still finalizing the results" so we go on to the next item. This is a pro forma resolution to archive social policy resolutions which have been superseded or are no longer relevant. The secretary doesn't list the specific statements, but, for instance, one of these relating to abortion was a policy to "expresses thanks and concurs with report of Work Group on Abortion and the Medical Plan, requests educational materials from Portico."
Results of ballot: 686 ballots, 4 invalid, 682 valid. No election (required 75%)
Tracey Beasley 175. Oddly, the reporter doesn't read any more names and nothing is posted. Supposedly this info is being uploaded to the delegates' guidebook, but I haven't figured out if this is available to the rest of us. Very strange. Usually they would at least post the full results.
Now the report from the Memorials Committee. There is a list of memorials that are to be dealt with
en bloc, so the first order of business is to indicate which ones delegates have asked to be withdrawn from the
en bloc consideration. The motion is approved 726 to 44. None of these really do anything. The action is all "receive with appreciation" and then pass responsibility, if there is any to pass, on to someone else to work on.
But the first one to be discussed separately is the one on reconstitution that I mentioned yesterday. Similar resolutions came from various synods, here's a typical one: "RESOLVED, that Northeastern Ohio Synod in assembly memorializes the 2022 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Church in America to direct the Church Council to establish a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church that, working in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and the Church Council, shall reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church, the principles of organization, and all matters pertaining thereunto, presenting its findings to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in preparation for a reconstituting convention to be called under the rules for a special meeting of the churchwide assembly."
First speaker emphasizes the need to talk about how we can best address the needs of today's world. Second speaker immediately speaks about the Sierra Pacific Synod issue, and blames current constitution for ELCA's racism. "Time for us to start over again and create something that works for everyone." Third speaker in a row in favor. We need a church that can hear the voices of those who have been excluded. Fourth speaker, who is from Sierra Pacific Synod. She opposes. This is confusing. Apparently the Memorials Committee recommended a substitute action, but this doesn't seem to be available online. It seems that the question now is whether the recommendation actually commits the ELCA to a reconstituting convention; now an amendment has been offered to make it clear that they are NOT committing to that, but only to a commission [Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church--get it? Just like the original Commission for a New Lutheran Church that proposed the ELCA] to study and make recommendation. There's some wrangling back and forth about the specific language, but it's clear that the language now before the body does not bind the 2025 assembly to actually call a reconstituting convention. It's frustrating that they are not showing on the livestream what is projected on the screen. They've now approved the amendment, but it wasn't up there long enough for me to copy the language. I think the gist of what is now before the body is an instruction to the Church Council to appoint this Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church which will report to the 2025 CWA, with a possible recommendation of a reconstituting convention.
All the speaking now seems to be in favor. Four in a row in favor. No one wants to speak against, so we'll move to a vote. The vote is overwhelmingly in favor: 738 t0 72. And so a really major action is taken without much actual consideration of the meaning and purpose of it.
Next a memorial related to sexuality (of course). The key parts:
"To authorize a social statement reconsideration to revise Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (2009) so that its wording reflects current church understanding, church policy, civil law, and public acceptance of marriage of same-gender and gender non-conforming couples in accordance with “Policies and Procedures of the ELCA for Addressing Social Concerns” (2018). While references would be reviewed throughout the whole statement, the following sections are designated for reconsideration as described here:
• “Marriage: shelter and context for trust” p.15. This would not reconsider the idea of marriage as shelter and context for trust but would consider the import that marriage legally is now a covenant between two individuals;
• “Lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” p.18f. Revision here would not change this church’s current understanding that recognizes four identified positions of bound conscience within its life. p.19, but would review wording about “publicly accountable, lifelong monogamous same-sex relationships” in light of public acceptance of marriage of same-gender and gender-non-conforming couples;
• “Loving families: ground and source for social trust” p.21f. Review here would consider references to diversity of family configurations" There is no debate, no clarification of what this actually means. Approved 741-59.
Next a memorial on "Fortifying Ministries in Underserved Urban Areas." This was removed from
en bloc but nobody wants to speak to it! The recommendation is to refer this memorial to Congregational Vitality Training and Development Team in the Christian Community and Leadership Hope Area (got that?). Now a delegate complains that nobody really knows what is being voted on since nothing is being read and there seem to be technological problems with the tablet guidebook. So the memorials committee guy reads it. Again, one has to wonder why on earth someone wanted it removed from
en bloc if there was to be no discussion. But see, this is what happens when a large majority of the people attending are here for the first time. Motion approved, 762-31. This is beginning to feel like the Missouri Synod
.
The next one is on Black Migrant Strategy:
Recommended for assembly action
To receive with gratitude the memorial on “ELCA Strategy Regarding Black Migrants” from the Delaware-Maryland Synod;
To direct the Service and Justice home area, in consultation with the program directors for African Descent Ministries, African Nationals, and Latino Ministries; African Descent Strategy Team; African Descent Lutheran Association; Association of Latino Ministries of the ELCA; and Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities (AMMPARO), to prepare a proposal for the strengthening of advocacy, protection, and accompaniment of Black migrants, that includes cost estimates, for Church Council consideration by its Spring 2024 meeting;
To strengthen the current protection and accompaniment of Black migrants through AMMPARO in partnership with ecumenical and interfaith partners both domestically and internationally;
To recommit this church to advocating for Temporary Protected Status and just and humane immigration policy through the Witness in Society team within the Service and Justice home area; and
To encourage congregations to affirm the aims of the African Descent Strategy Implementation Plan for 2020–2025 and the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent.
The only speaking is one person urging people to vote yes. Again, one wonders why exactly this was removed for separate consideration. It sort of defeats the purpose of the
en bloc process. One also wonders, if these memorials are going to cruise through like this, why on earth they needed to can the videos to allow more time for discussion. Motion carried 783 to 16.
The next one:
Recommended for assembly action
To receive with gratitude the memorial on “Equity and Clarity in the Mission Development Process” from the Delaware-Maryland Synod;
To refer this memorial to the Congregational Vitality Training and Development team in the Christian Community and Leadership home area to establish a working group in partnership with the appropriate leaders in the Delaware-Maryland Synod to study and refine current ELCA guidelines and systems for appointments, calls, funds, and support mechanisms for mission developers and new ministries; and
To request that the working group consult with and provide regular reports to the Church Council beginning by Fall 2023 to ensure that the purposes and objectives of this memorial are being fulfilled.
Again, no discussion, and the motion is approved 758-38.
Well, now we're going to get the full results of the first ballot.
Tracey Beasley 135 [Did I mishear him now, or before when I reported 175?]
Imran Siddiqui 103
Roberto Lara Aranda 86
Carla Borchardt 60
John Auger 48
Paul Archer 38
David Lenz 34
Clarance Smith 34
OK, it goes down rapidly from there, so I'm not going to list the rest. The assembly takes a stretch and sing break.
Now to the report of the treasurer, with the budget proposal. The projections are for nominal income increases over the next three years:
2023 current: $68,814,000
2024 current: $70,191,000
2025 current: $71,594,000
2023 World Hunger $22,869,000
2024 World Hunger $22,930,000
2024 World Hunger $22,960,000
On the expense side, its presented in more of a narrative form, so it's alittle hard to figure out easily. But at least for 2023, here's a comparison with 2022:
Christian Community & Leadership $22,690,464 increases to $23,144,000
Service & Justice $38,531,076 decreases to $35,664,000
Innovation $3,031,000 stays the same (who knew we have a budget for innovation?)
Office of Presiding Bishop $11,780,430 increases to $12,016,000
Office of Secretary $5,218,927 increases to $5,323,000
Office of Treasurer $9,310,206 increases to $9,496,000
General Treasury $150,000 increases to $153,000
Depreciation $2,800,000 increases to $2,856,000
Then the narration goes on to spell out all the detail, which isn't always what you expect. For instance, nearly 20% of the budget for the "Office of the Presiding Bishop" is, well, literally for the office--for the expenses of the ELCA's office and archive buildings. Another chunk of it is for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations, and another chunk for "people solutions" (i.e., HR).
That presentation having been finished, the assembly hears a recorded message from Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. (He had hoped to be present, but his flight was cancelled, so he recorded his message.)
After announcements and prayer, the plenary is adjourned but immediately moves into the non-legislative apology to Iglesia Santa María Peregrina . This begins with the singing of a hymn. Bp. Eaton's words are being translated into Spanish. She welcomes four representatives from Iglesia Santa María Peregrina. She thanks them for their presence. (My Spanish isn't great, but I noticed that where Bp. Eaton said "Latine," the translator said "Latino y Latina."). "We offer a public commitment to become an anti-racist church. I wish to speak a word of apology and accountability on behalf of this church." She summarizes the events last December that led to this fiasco. She notes that the case of Pr. Rabell-Gonzales is being reconsidered (first time I've heard that publicly said). The situation and what followed revealed the depth of systematic racism that we wrestle with. I apologize.
There is a response from, I assume, one of the congregation members, but it is not being translated into English. Now we hear what I assume is the translation of what was just said, or maybe it's just a second statement being made in English. "The decision to be here was not easy . . . Our church will continue to pray for former Bp Rohrer and the Sierra Pacific Synod Council. . . . We forgive you for being slow to act and not being sure we had pastoral care in this difficult time."
Bishop Eaton embraces the representatives, assembly applauds.
Bishop Eaton then talks more, with translation. "Giving voice to our lament is our way to recognize the harm." She invites people to write on ribbons their laments for Iglesia Santa María Peregrina and for the world, and the ribbons will be tied to the cross (a cross with mesh around it), which will be placed outside and brought periodically back into the plenary hall. "This church has confessed the sin of racism, but we are sinners who often don't carry out what we intend to do. As we admit and repent of our past actions, it is also important to state the commitments we have made." On the screen is a series of anti-racist statements the ELCA has made through the years. She recalls the apology made to African Americans by the 2019 assembly. She talks about some specific things the ELCA intends to do. Assembly sings "Nothing Can Trouble." Seemed like a very emotional time.
I'm skipping out on the service of word and prayer this evening, but if anyone else is watching and wants to report, go for it. We meet again at 8:30 a.m.
