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Pentecost
The Festival of Pentecost marks the "birthday"
of the church, the moment at which the prophecies foretelling the gift
of the Spirit to all of God's people began to be fulfilled. This
year we continue in that same "spirit" by
celebrating the Affirmation of Baptism,
also known as "Confirmation," of seven of our youth: (Alyssa J., Lauren
L., Chanell N., Nathaniel N., Kevyn P., Robin R., and Sarah S.).
This marks for them the beginning of a new phase of their Christian lives,
opening up new avenues of participation and experiences of service.
For the congregation, this means we move in new directions as they begin
to share their gifts with us in our congregation. It is truly a day of
celebration for us.
Bishop "Resigns"
On a less celebratory note, as many of
you have read, Rev. Paul Egertson has resigned as Bishop of the synod effective
July 31,200 1. His resignation will take effect after the Synod Assembly,
after the election of a new bishop, and 1 month prior to the August 31
date that his term would have otherwise ended. Bishop Egertson's resignation
was called for by the national bishop's office
because he participated in the "irregular
ordination" of Anita Hill, a lesbian in a "long-term committed relationship"
in St Paul, MN.
This was troubling not only because it
violated the biblical and church prohibitions against ordaining practicing
gay/lesbian people for ministry, but because Egertson crossed into another
bishop's territory against the express
instructions of the National Bishop to
refrain from doing so. A final concern was Bishop Egertson's promise
to resign if his actions in this area violated the constitution or policies
of the church.
I find it interesting that the way in which
he was allowed to resign - not immediately, but after the assembly, after
the election, after he is, for all intents and purposes, done as bishop,
but while still technically in office. He is able to be the first
currently sitting ELCA bishop "forced" to resign over an act of "ecclesiastical
disobedience" on the gay/lesbian clergy issue, thereby making headlines
all over the US for this issue.
He (and certainly much of the leadership
of the ELCA) had assumed/hoped that the ELCA would have moved to fully
include gay/lesbian pastors long ago, certainly by the end of his 6-year
term in office. By resigning at essentially the end of his term,
Egerison gets the best of both worlds: he serves all but the least important
month of office, and he gets to "put an exclamation point" (as he says)
on the issue by getting as much publicity on this issue as he has
managed to get in his whole ministry.
We need to be clear on this...
There is NO excuse or justification for
prejudice of any kind toward anyone, and the Gospel is to be proclaimed,
according to Jesus, to all the world. However, the scriptural witness
is clear on the issue of homosexuality It is not thought of too highly,
and certainly not intended for use by clergy, who are to be examples to
their flock. Even if it turns out to be caused by genetics, there
are choices involved. For a bishop to go against the authority of
the church and scripture is wrong, and not helpful to the spread of the
Gospel.
Sorry to get so cranky...
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Larry
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