Dear Brothers, Sisters and friends of Immanuel,

As you know, there is a call committee in place to interview and call a new pastor.  One of their many responsibilities is to make sure that we have our policies and procedures in place and up to date, to ‘have our ducks in a row’ so to speak.  This is an important task, as any candidate needs to know, not only how things are done, but how the congregation – you all – feels about certain issues.

In reviewing all of this, it became apparent that there was a lack of documentation regarding a very important issue.

In 2009, the ELCA voted to allow congregations to call a pastor who was in a same sex committed relationship.  Congregations were also given the option of allowing their pastor, whoever that might be, to perform same sex unions, and then after the state law changed, to perform same sex marriages.  

Apparently, this congregation did discuss and vote on these issues, as there is reference to this in minutes from the 2010 and 2012 annual meetings.  However, there are no backup minutes or notes to support whatever conversations may have taken place.  There is also some discrepancy in the minutes we do have.  In addition, our synod office has no record of any decision that Immanuel may have made.

As I’m sure you can understand this is an important issue.  Not only do you as the congregation need clarification of this issue, so too does the call committee.  Any possible candidate will want to know where you stand regarding calling a pastor in a same sex committed relationship as well as his or her ability to perform same sex marriages.  It is your responsibility as a member of Immanuel to address these issues.  The ELCA cannot and will not make these decisions for you, nor will the synod do so.

So – as a community of faith we need to be in conversation about these issues again.  On December 4, immediately after worship, we will have a forum to discuss this important topic. This forum is open to all members of Immanuel – even and especially our youth.  We will be using the ELCA study, “Journey Together Faithfully,” as the basis for our discussion.  While our conversation will be grounded in scripture, your thoughts and feelings and even your personal experiences are important.  I am confident that we can have this conversation, agreeing to disagree if necessary, without divisiveness, as long as we remember that this is Christ’s church………..

If need be, we will have more than one forum, but a vote will be on the agenda at the annual meeting in January.

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. 

Yours in Christ,

                                                Pr. Vicki