ELCA 9th Churchwide Assembly - Day 1 Reflection
Robert's Rules of Order - now why hasn't this been a required reading of my seminary education? In all seriousness, the first plenary session of the ELCA's 9th Churchwide Assembly ended last evening about 11:30pm - over 2.5 hours beyond the scheduled adjournment of 9pm!!
What kept us in session so long? The adoption of the "rules" for the assembly. There were several rules that were called to be reviewed and voted on seperately, in order to change the voting regulation from majority to 2/3 or vice-versa, as it pertains to the three issues related to the sexuality studies and recommendations for the ELCA.
Emotion and ultimate confusion abounded - as the first amendment failed and thus even the original language was struck and then there was nothing! The vote on the amendment was then called to be reconsidered and re-voted. So, the final outcome of that extra long session is:
"In the process of adopting the Rules of Organization and Procedure, voting members on Monday night approved the following on the subject of adoption of certain recommendations from task force reports:
A two-thirds majorite vote fo the voting members of the Churchwide Assembly present and voting shall be required to adopt recommendations from a task force report or amendments or substitute motions related to them that require amendment of a constitution or bylaw provision for implementation.
A two-thirds majority vote of the voting members of the Churchwide Assemblu present and voting shall be required to adopt recommendation from a task force report or amendments or substitute motions related to them that would establish for this church a new practice or policy that is countrary to an existing policy that has been adopted by the Church Council upon recommendation of a borad or committee, as authorized by the constitution or bylaws of this church."
Other than that, personally this beginning was both shocking and confusions, but also exciting and joyous as I have come across many friends and acquaintances that I have made throughout the church. The old phrase, "It's a small church," speaks ultimately to my experience, from my confirmaiton pastor, to a retired couple who traveled with my and my classmates to Turkey, Greece, and Rome.
So as we continue on today I pray for God's Spirit and truth to be present and central in all that we do as a church today. I also pray for clarity and love of community. Go be with us.
What kept us in session so long? The adoption of the "rules" for the assembly. There were several rules that were called to be reviewed and voted on seperately, in order to change the voting regulation from majority to 2/3 or vice-versa, as it pertains to the three issues related to the sexuality studies and recommendations for the ELCA.
Emotion and ultimate confusion abounded - as the first amendment failed and thus even the original language was struck and then there was nothing! The vote on the amendment was then called to be reconsidered and re-voted. So, the final outcome of that extra long session is:
"In the process of adopting the Rules of Organization and Procedure, voting members on Monday night approved the following on the subject of adoption of certain recommendations from task force reports:
A two-thirds majorite vote fo the voting members of the Churchwide Assembly present and voting shall be required to adopt recommendations from a task force report or amendments or substitute motions related to them that require amendment of a constitution or bylaw provision for implementation.
A two-thirds majority vote of the voting members of the Churchwide Assemblu present and voting shall be required to adopt recommendation from a task force report or amendments or substitute motions related to them that would establish for this church a new practice or policy that is countrary to an existing policy that has been adopted by the Church Council upon recommendation of a borad or committee, as authorized by the constitution or bylaws of this church."
Other than that, personally this beginning was both shocking and confusions, but also exciting and joyous as I have come across many friends and acquaintances that I have made throughout the church. The old phrase, "It's a small church," speaks ultimately to my experience, from my confirmaiton pastor, to a retired couple who traveled with my and my classmates to Turkey, Greece, and Rome.
So as we continue on today I pray for God's Spirit and truth to be present and central in all that we do as a church today. I also pray for clarity and love of community. Go be with us.
posted by Kim @ 9:01 AM
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