Take some time with this week's readings. The teachings in the passages from James and Mark are direct...nobody can wiggle away from the challenge to examine carefully, first and foremost, one's OWN words and actions.

I attended the meeting of rostered leaders held yesterday afternoon. The agenda was to discuss and process the results of last week's Churchwide Assembly. Although many important decisions were made that are focused specifically upon caring for the sick and the poor, the decision that clearly has had the largest impact upon our Synod is the one regarding Human Sexuality and Ministry Policies pertaining, specifically, to those in same-gender lifelong committed monogamous relationships.

At yesterday's meeting it was clear that those present were divided into the three groups that Presiding Bishop Hanson identified in his pastoral comment which immediately followed the vote on the resolutions.


At yesterday's meeting all three "groups" described by Bishop Hanson were gathered in the room: Those who rejoice, feeling that the church has moved closer now to greater reconciliation and love...those who are angry and wonder if they can support, or even be a part of the ELCA now that this decision has emerged.... and finally, those who see themselves somewhere in the middle of those polarities...those who are prayerfully wondering how all will live and work together so that Christ's Mission may be served.

A condition shared by all in the room was,and will continue to be, pain. We can't step away from that...

Although a prevailing question is "What's going to happen now?", an equally powerful question is "How can we BE together in this pain as we seek the next steps each will take?"

For the most part what I witnessed yesterday was an attempt to articulate feelings...and an attempt to ask questions in a way that suggests a desire to find the way that God's Holy Spirit will lead.

Yet it seems clear that we aren't going to be able to "think" our way through this. It may be helpful to reflect upon the prayer offered so often in Evening Prayer:

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the endings, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unkknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship,P. 317


o Where do you fit in this prayer?
o What are the ventures to which God may be calling you?
o Do unknown paths frighten or excite you?
o Do you sense God’s presence more in times of uncertainty or in times of calm stability?
o What is encouraging about this prayer?
o What are some indications that you are sensing God's guidance? Do you REALLY want God's guidance in light of the rest of this prayer?

What would the church be like if everybody in the church prayed this prayer fervently every day?