a priest's musings on the journey

The story is here

Well, it's not quite that enthusiastic (not that "allow" is enthusiastic) -- they're kind of backing into it. Here's the actual report from the church assembly.

Still, it's a big move in the broader Lutheran context, and good news.

O thanks for the actual report, Jane. I was looking for it and couldn't find it.

I'm a ecumaniac and subscribe to almost all the religious news services. (Free but you have to deal with inbox overload; Eudora has filters so at least the news releases land in their own little folder and not in my inbox. I subscribe at home. At the college we have Lotus Notes, which I hate and which doesn't have filters, how stupid is that. So you have to archive everything manually after the fact. I think they assume no one archives e-mail. But some of us verbal pack-rats do!)

So I've been deluged with ELCA mail this week (last week it was the Presbyterians - there's always more mail when a denomination is holding its general assembly). I also get the Greek Orthodox stuff :-).

And the Episcopal and Anglican Communion News Services, of course.

Rob, I've just posted some links to the organization Goodsoil on my blog. Very good stuff, very loving, very Lutheran.

If I understand the situation correctly, the ELCA move is similar to what the PCUSA did at its last General Assembly--essentially a local option with an implicit moratorium on disciplinary actions while the debate (conversation?) continues. Hardly enthusiastic, as Jane points out, but very definitely a move in the right direction and, I think, a good indication of how the wind is blowing.

well, for some of us, any affirmation at all is enthusiastic and cause for rejoicing

For those of us with Lutheran clergy partners, this brings a space to breathe a bit.

Christopher, God'd blessings be with you and your partner. Thank you for your faitful witness.