Synod-Sponsered Getaway

It's Saturday night! Where did the days go?

This morning we returned from the Grand Canyon's three-day assembly on Reaching the Lost, the Least, the Last, and the Little. Great topic, but it didn't quite match up to our location!

This is what my assembly partly-consisted of.

In fact, it was not fitting at all to be talking about the lost, the least, the last, and the little of our society at Scottdale's luxury Phoenician resort. It is by far one of the nicest resorts in the area. We were supposed to stay at another resort but it went bankrupt, so we were "bumped up."

Once I got passed how excessive everything was, I was able to calm down a little bit. It was nice to getaway from Mesa for a little bit and to enjoy the company of fellow interns and church friends. Still, I think we need to re-evaluate how we do these assemblies. Someday...someday.

The meetings were not the most riveting, but the resolutions for the memorials on Peace not Walls, the ELCA's Sexuality Statement, and the ordination of pastors in homosexual relationships were all passed. Of course there was some heated discussion, and there was dissension from the votes, but it was encouraging to see the synod move the way it did.

One of the issues our church is facing right now is how to address the sexuality issues and the votes for them at the national church assembly: whether to have a simple majority (over half) or a 2/3 majority in order to have the resolutions passed. I can understand why the 2/3 majority rule makes sense, especially over something so controversial in our churches, but I found it interesting to hear that when the ordination of women came up it passed only at 57%. 57%!

I wonder where I would be if it didn't pass when it did. Or if I would be here right now anyway.

I am curious, nonetheless, to see how the national assembly goes in August.

So, now I am headed out on one last run in Mesa, then it's bedtime. Our ride to the airport comes at 3:15 am. That's right...A.M.!

Romania, here we come! If I have the opportunity to blog, I sure will. If not, see you in 11 days.

Peace--
HGJ