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August 2, 2007
Contact: Phil Soucy, 703-980-2038
communications@lcna.org
www.goodsoil.org
Goodsoil advocacy at the biennial Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly in Chicago, Aug 6–11, 2007
What: Goodsoil, a Lutheran coalition of groups working for full inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Lutherans in the life of their church, will advocate at the biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for policy changes.
Where: Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, August 6–11, 2007 and Hyatt Regency, 151 East Wacker Drive.
Background: Currently, openly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) persons can serve as ministers in the ELCA but they are required to be celibate – creating two sets of requirements for ministerial service and a prohibition of lifelong, loving, committed relationships for LGBT ministers.
WEEK of Events and Activities [Cameras OK]: (Those events that are ELCA events are noted)
- Vigiling – Daily – prayerful, silent witness during the plenary sessions, ensuring the assembly is aware of LGBT Lutherans in the church.
- Pastor Bradley Schmeling and members of St John's congregation Press Conference & Interviews – Tuesday, Hyatt Regency, Columbus K&L, 3:00 pm. Bradley removed from the clergy roster for having a life partner. They are at the assembly to let the assembly meet them. They will hold a panel discussion later Tuesday night for voting members who wish to attend.
- Shower of Stoles – Wednesday and Thursday, from 3:00 pm–10:00 pm, Hyatt Regency, Grand Ballroom E&F. Wednesday, a partial display; Thursday, the first-ever display of all 1100 stoles of dismissed LGBT clergy.
- Ministers Press Event – Wednesday, Hyatt Regency, Grand Ballroom E&F 6:30 pm. LGBT pastors speak out in the midst of the Shower of Stoles. Their stories and why the current policy of the church is unjust.
- Goodsoil Worship Service – Wednesday, Hyatt Regency, Grand Ballroom E&F 8:00 pm. Bishop Margaret Payne, New England Synod of the ELCA, presiding, (first time a bishop presides at a Goodsoil LGBT sponsored service at an Assembly). Bradley Schmeling will preach amid the Shower of Stoles.
- Assembly Discussion [ELCA] – Wednesday tentative, exact date and time TBA. Assembly discusses the removal of the prohibition against LGBT ministers being in loving, lifelong relationships.
- Assembly Debate and Vote [ELCA] – Friday tentative, exact date and time TBA. Assembly debates resolutions and votes on directing the removal of the prohibition against LGBT ministers in loving, lifelong relationships.
- Press Availability – Daily for interviews. Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, Lutherans Concerned / North America, other leadership of Goodsoil, Bradley Schmeling and folks from St John's, others by request. Call 703-980-2038.
More detailed press advisories will come out one day prior to some of these events.
About Goodsoil: Goodsoil is comprised of the Extraordinary Candidacy Project, Lutherans Concerned / North America, The Network for Full Inclusion, and Wingspan Ministry.
Phil Soucy
Director Communications LC/NA
communications@lcna.org
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Emily Eastwood on Churchwide Assembly 2007 [August 18, 2007]
Our thanks for the Churchwide Assembly scarves [August 18, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Eight Sunday [August 12, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Seven Saturday [August 11, 2007]
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America encourages its bishops to refrain from the discipline of ministers in same-gender relationships [Goodsoil press release, August 11, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Six Friday [August 10, 2007]
Press spokespersons available for comment following the debate and vote on the elimination of the celibacy policy of the ELCA [Press advisory, August 10, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Photos: Thursday [August 9, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Five Thursday [August 9, 2007]
Goodsoil spokespersons available for comment following ELCA Churchwide Assembly vote [Press advisory, August 9, 2007]
Text of Bradley Schmeling's sermon at Goodsoil Eucharistic Service at ELCA Churchwide Assembly [August 8, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Photos: Wednesday Goodsoil Eucharistic Service [August 8, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Photos: Wednesday [August 8, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Four Wednesday [August 8, 2007]
National Public Radio pieces from Tuesday, August 7 [August 8, 2007]
Entire Shower of Stoles collection on display for first time during the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly [Press advisory, August 8, 2007]
LGBT Lutheran pastors are introduced press event [Press advisory, August 8, 2007]
Bishop Margaret Payne to preside at Goodsoil Eucharistic Service [Press advisory, August 8, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Photos: Tuesday [August 7, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Three Tuesday [August 7, 2007]
Eighty-two LGBT Lutheran ministers introduce themselves to the ELCA [Goodsoil press release, August 7, 2007]
Goodsoil booklets at ELCA 2007 Churchwide Assembly. [August 7, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Photos: Monday. [August 6, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day Two Monday. [August 6, 2007]
Press conference by Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St John's Lutheran, August 7, 2007, during the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly [Press advisory, August 6, 2007]
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Day One Sunday. [August 5, 2007]
Goodsoil advocacy at the biennial Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly in Chicago, Aug 6–11, 2007. [Press advisory, August 2, 2007]
Bishop Margaret Payne will preside at the goodsoil Eucharistic celebration to be held in Chicago. [July 31, 2007]
Join in the prayer vigil during the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 6–11. [July 24, 2007]
LC/NA opposes referral of Goodsoil memorials – delay unacceptable. [July 24, 2007]
Shower of Stoles on display in Chicago during ELCA Churchwide Assembly. [July 21, 2007]
Where to send completed scarves. [July 20, 2007]
Volunteers still welcomed!. [July 18, 2007]
Reminder: Volunteers working for Goodsoil during Churchwide Assembly must be registered with the ELCA as visitors. [July 12, 2007]
Summary of synod assembly results confirmed as of June 14, 2007. [June 15, 2007]
Call for volunteers for Churchwide Assembly, Chicago, 6–11 August 2007. [June 14, 2007]
Synod updates and request for continued prayer and support. [June 6, 2007]
Something you can do right now for Churchwide. [June 4, 2007]
All-member email on synod progress with commentary. [May 31, 2007]
ELCA Synods passing the memorial to eliminate the bad policy rise to eight as four more call for change. [May 27, 2007]
Update on the results of ELCA Synod Assemblies thus far. [May 18, 2007]
Synod Assembly handout: Are we really "living together faithfully" in the midst of our disagreements? [May 3, 2007]
ELCA Church Council recommends 2007 Churchwide Assembly rules. [Apr 26, 2007]
Sierra Pacific Synod passes memorial on policy change. [Apr 20, 2007]
Churchwide Assembly update and request for prayers. [Apr 14, 2007]
Memorial templates for the 2007 synod assemblies. [Feb 14, 2007]
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