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Prop 8 stay not permanent: marriages of same-gender couples may resume August 18 PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 12 August 2010 08:39

This news just in from the Los Angeles Times:

“A federal judge today refused to permanently stay his ruling overturning Proposition 8’s ban of gay marriage but extended a temporary hold to give supporters time to appeal the historic ruling.

“U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who overturned the measure on Aug. 4, agreed to give its sponsors until Aug. 18 to appeal his ruling to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Walker said that same-sex marriages may resume at that time unless a higher court blocks them.

“Walker said the sponsors of Proposition 8 do not have legal standing to appeal his order because they were not directly affected by it.”

Please see the whole story here: latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/08/prop-8.html
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American Public Media's Public Insight Network is looking for feedback on how the decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly have affected you and your congregation PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 10 August 2010 09:35

American Public Media’s Public Insight Network is looking for feedback on how the decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly have affected you and your congregation.

American Public Media is responsible for such well-known public radio shows as Marketplace, Marketplace Money, Speaking of Faith, and American RadioWorks, as well as producing Minnesota Public Radio programming in the Upper Midwest.

The question they are asking is: “August 21st is the first anniversary of the vote in the ELCA church to allow gays and lesbians in committee relationships to serve as clergy.

“How have things changed for you, your congregation and your community (if at all) over the past several months?

“Share your story with us.”

This is an excellent opportunity for you to speak out in favor of the decisions and what has happened to you, to your congregation, or to the church at large.

To provide them a response, go to their inquiry page.

Take a few minutes and share your thoughts. It is important that those of us who are in favor of full inclusion speak up.
 
California Prop 8 ruled unconstitutional by the federal court PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 18:09

Lutherans Concerned / North America rejoices in the news that Proposition 8 has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge earlier today. Prop 8, enacted by a small majority of California voters in November 2008, limited marriage to be between one man and one woman in California and has been at the center of debate for several years.

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LC/NA calls upon all to renew commitment to reconciliation PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 18:05

Nearly a year ago, on August 19, 2009, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly recognized and affirmed the centrality of family in the lives of its LGBT members. Two days later, the assembly made provision for the service in ministry of LGBT ministers in committed, lifelong, same-gender relationship.

As we approach the one-year anniversary marking these momentous decisions, Lutherans Concerned / North America (LC/NA) calls for a renewed commitment to the values and principles of the first and most important of the four “resolveds” of the policy recommendations adopted by the assembly: to love the neighbor, to bear one another’s burdens. Overwhelmingly, the assembly agreed to stay in relationship, to live together faithfully amidst our disagreements, and to work for reconciliation; LC/NA calls everyone to do the same.

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From San Francisco two joyous events in one day PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 26 July 2010 12:28

Yesterday, following their Sunday worship service and fellowship meal that followed, the congregation of St. Francis Lutheran Church voted to begin the process of returning to the ELCA.

St. Francis had been dismissed from the ELCA in 1995 for have called Rev. Ruth Frost and Rev. Phyllis Zilhart, out lesbians in a committed relationship, as pastors.

Following the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly and subsequent actions by the ELCA Church Council that implemented the changed policy and removed the barriers to service by LGBT ministers in committed relationships, the Sierra Pacific Synod reached out to St. Francis, inquiring if St. Francis would like to return to the ELCA.

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Assembly actions - stability at the top leadership of Lutherans Concerned PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 18 July 2010 16:35

Among the actions coming out of the recently concluded biennial assembly are changes at the top leadership of Lutherans Concerned.

Emily Eastwood, on a medical leave of absence from the position of Executive Director, returned to that role on July 8, 2010. Though still working at part-time as her recovery continues, Emily said that her health is much improved and she expects to gain more strength back as time moves on. Emily’s return at the start of the assembly was greeted with a standing ovation. Emily said the aspects of LC/NA’s mission and work that she is going to concentrate on can be summed up as development and diplomacy, furthering the work of organizing people and resources for the work that lies ahead.

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L.I.F.T. – provide the task force your thoughts – IMPORTANT PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 12 July 2010 10:30

“Living Into The Future Together (LIFT): Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA” is a study of the social and economic changes that have occurred over the 20 years since the formation of the ELCA. A 12-member task force was formed in January 2010 to evaluate the organization, governance and interrelationships among the church’s expressions: congregations, synods, and churchwide organizations.

The Task Force is seeking your input, and we are encouraging you strongly to participate — this week. www.liftelca.org is the website. Much information is available about the LIFT effort there. Under the “Get Involved” tab you will find both the individual and group means to participate. Click on the individual questionnaire online to complete the survey. If you and others wish to also participate in group discussions and provide feedback to the task force, you will find here instructions on how to proceed.
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