Reconciling Works

One of the lessons learned from the “No On Prop 8” campaign in California is the importance of sharing with others about marriage–especially, about why marriage matters to you, either as an LGBT person or a straight ally. Researchers of the campaign discovered that many of those who voted Yes (thus banning same-gender marriage in […]

Here’s a message from our friends at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Go purple! ———————- Go Purple on Spirit Day – Oct 20, 2011 We need you and your congregation’s help to end bullying and support LGBT youth! On October 20, millions of Americans will wear purple to symbolize their support for […]

Faith-Based Strategic Storytelling for the Minnesota Marriage Moment – Nov. 7, 2011 Repeated statistics from other efforts to defeat anti-gay marriage constitutional amendments show that the most successful and compelling method for changes hearts and minds on this issue is to engage people we already know, at least as acquaintances, with our stories of why […]

Diane Nelson DeLange died peacefully at 7:00 p.m. PDT, September 30, 2011, with her husband, Jim, and son, Matt, present.  Her daughter, Adrienne, was still in hospital following the birth of Diane’s second grandson Glenn on September 28.   Diane was 67 years old, having been born on July 7, 1944.   Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, […]

 Judicatory Leaders Convocation November 29 – December 2, 2011   Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Carefree, Arizona www.spiritinthedesert.org     Dear Bishop or ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Judicatory Leader:   Greetings! We write you today to invite you to an ecumenical gathering for bishops and judicatory executives for the purpose of addressing issues related to the welcoming and […]

Continue on to read speeches in support of the anti-bullying memorial on the floor of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

[The following message came to us from Vincent Paolo Villano, National Center for Transgender Equality, regarding concerns about transgender people displaced by the approaching Hurricane Irene.  If you know of someone who would benefit from this information, please get it to them.  Additionally, the kit contains general information useful to anyone who is in the […]

This was the last day of the assembly, half day actually, and yet a busy one.   Some previous actions first:   Yesterday, late on Thursday, it was reported that Lutheran CORE, who had an information and hospitality suite, had experienced vandalism, “destruction of property.”  As it turned out, what had happened was the signs […]

Thursday at the Churchwide Assembly.  I am going to miss Microphone 11.  Where I usually sit in the assembly hall is in the Visitors Section on the right side rear as you face the dais.  Directly down the aisle straight in front of me about 60 feet away is Microphone 11 – a “Green” microphone, […]

[Rev. Dr. Shauna K. Hannan, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, preached this sermon at the the Goodsoil Worship Service held on August 17, 2011 during the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, August 15-19, 2011, in Orlando, Florida.]   Sisters and brothers in Christ, hear and believe this, […]