June Event - Naming Our Fears and Concerns, Honoring Our Traditions

I will write an article for the June newsletter (due on Sunday) and want to move forward on an idea for a June event.

Our deepest concern for the past few RIC meetings has been to draw out the congregational fears, concerns and questions, particularly from those who may be hesitant to vote to become RIC.

This event would be planned so fears, concerns and questions can be brought to the table in a non-threatening way. Let's propose that what is brought up can either be an individual's fears, questions, concerns or they can talk about someone else's (take away someone having to "own" the concern). All concerns would be recorded. There would be no debate or challenge to any concern at this meeting.

The "Honoring our traditions" piece would be designed to move us towards understanding one another. We are in a different time and place now where a change appears necessary but this would be recognition that based on knowledge available in the past that the church proceeded down the path of concern and protection best understood at that time when the exclusion of GLBT was understood as God's will.

This would lead to the education in Bishop Dave's July Bible study, what the Bible does say about homosexuality & hospitality and why our ideas and approach are pushing a change to a tradition we may have followed in the past.

For those at the RIC training we might want to focus on baptism and have each person make a sign of the cross on another's forehead, recognizing them as a child of God.

Do you think that would attract those who are hesitant about the issue?

Feel free to add ideas about what would make this event a success or if you have any concerns we need to address around this event.

For a date would anyone have an issue with Sunday, June 22nd after worship? At the council meeting they liked our scheduled monthly RIC event after service a service.

Bishop Dave's Bible study in July

This is what Dave suggests for the Bible study name: "Hope, Homosexuality and Hospitality: What does the Bible say about . . . ?"

If that works, let’s just get it on the calendar for July 23^rd at whatever time summer things happen – 7 PM? Or potluck first at 6 PM?

I'm excited to offer this to the congregations of the Metro area as well as Creator - it kind of feels like hospitality!

Gretchen

Kudos - and thanks, Mary!

Thanks, Mary, for making the lunch and setting up our RIC event this afternoon. Although I think we were pretty much preaching to the choir, it was great to hear what Michelle, Doug, and his mom had to say. I personally learn something every time I hear GLBT people talk about their lives - I just wish more people would take advantage of these opportunities.

Re: Dave's Bible study on homosexuality - Creator's Day Camp is the week of July 13-18. Would it be good to do the study on that Weds (7/16) or wait until the following week, or does it make any difference?

What does the Bible say??

Dave is able to do a Weds evening Bible study on homosexuality on any Weds. in July except the first one (7/2). I'm wondering what you all think - maybe the 16th? Again, my idea is that we invite the entire Metro area to attend the Bible study in person, and then Dave will digitally record the study to put on the Oregon Synod website for people who are unable to attend. Let me know what you think. He does need to get a date on his calendar because his time gets filled up quickly...

Collaborative Space for Affirmation and Questions

The email Toni sent out yesterday with the link to the blog brought activity to the Collaborative Space. There are now comments on the posted affirmations you can check out.

At the Portland Metro RIC Core Team meeting Mic, one of our guest speakers, said she plans to attend our worship as well as the "Telling Stories" on Sunday.

I have a couple of questions for all of you. It would help me to know if anyone who attended the RIC Training in March received an invitation to join the RIC Core team in the past few weeks?

Also, is there anything else we should do in preparation for this coming Sunday's "Telling Stories"?

We're receiving great comments and kudos from the congregation about our RIC activities. Also, the LCNA Portland Metro Chapter and LCNA national have passed along how impressed they are with what our team is doing.

Keep up the good work.

Working with the Youth

Creator Lutheran Youth

RIC Challenge

On Wednesday evening, 5/7, the youth of Creator discussed becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation and were issued the following challenge:

Can you, before school is out for the summer, prepare a statement or summary about where the youth of Creator are on this issue and present it to the congregation?

To do so requires answering the following questions:

1) Is the time right for Creator Lutheran to adopt an explicit statement of affirmation and welcome for people who are GLBT, as well as others who have often not felt welcomed by the church? (Do the pros outweigh the cons?)

2) If we adopt such a statement, what will that mean for us in terms of our hospitality to strangers? What will such a welcome look like?

An assignment was issued to think and talk about this during the trip to Holden Village. The students were asked to find and read and discuss Holden’s own RIC statement of welcome.

The RIC team would be delighted if the youth would think of a way – uniquely their own – to let the congregation know how they feel about this issue. We can set up an after-service time in early June if you are ready.

background and talking points for hearings on Draft Social Statement From Tim Fisher, LCNA Administration

Dear RIC Team Trainees and Friends of Lutherans Concerned/North America:

The hearings on the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality have begun.

Commenting on the Draft Social Statement in the press, Bishop Peter Strommen, head of the task force that created it, said that this was only a draft social statement, that the last social statement, the one on education that was passed at the last churchwide assembly, was changed 40% by the comment process. 40%. Take a look at the draft social statement (www.elca.org/faithfuljourney) to see what 40% you would like to see changed, look to see what 40% you want left as it is, and understand that there are those out there who want to keep what you want changed and to change what you want to keep. They are sure to comment.

Don't cross your fingers, hoping this will turn out ok. Uncross your fingers, put them to a keyboard or on a pen and send the Task Force your comments. Tell them what you like: tell them the truth unfolded from the Gospel that you see in the document. Tell them to leave it in. Tell them what you would like changed so that the whole document becomes one with that truth. Use the form provided. Go to
www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/draft and you can even do it online.

Find out when the hearing is in your synod; go to it. Speak up.

It is extremely important that ELCA members supportive of the full inclusion of LGBT people attend and speak. The results of the process of hearings will rely heavily on our willingness and ability to take the time and sum up the courage to engage that process at every level. The hearings at Synod Assemblies and at other times in your synod will provide critical opportunities for LGBT Lutherans, our families, allies, and advocates to speak and be heard. If we do not speak, we leave the discussion to those who would talk about us rather than with us.

It is important all voices be heard so that the resulting feedback is more representative and produces a more consistent social statement recognizing the faithful vocations of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in all aspects of the life of the church.

There are over 90 hearings scheduled throughout the ELCA. Please go to the following link to see the full list: www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/synods/

See below for talking points and other background information. You may share these, but please do so only with those whom you know to be supportive of the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the ELCA. If you need us to send you the talking points in another format, please write to admin@lcna.org.

If you are planning on attending a hearing, please drop us a line to let us know, and include your name and what synod you are in. You can respond to admin@lcna.org. Also, it would be great to hear back from you about how your hearing went.

Grace and peace,
The Staff of Lutherans Concerned

The Collaborative Space for Creator's Affirmation of Welcome

The url for the Collaborative Space for Creator's Affirmation of Welcome is:

http://creator-affirmation.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to link and comment on what needs to be changed before we present it to the congregation this Sunday. Also, feel free to send your suggestions for "seed" Affirmations of Welcome and we will post them.

My thought is to leave these affirmations up for a time, keep ones getting comments (either good or bad), and weed out those with no comments.

Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated