SHARE THE VISION OF ST FRANCIS

Thanks so much for worshipping with us today. You have met God in Jesus Christ in this intimate sanctuary and a people of God called St. Francis Lutheran Church. You can learn a lot about us on the preceding page. But here I want to share with you our vision: A Beacon of Light for Justice in the World and a vital Church of the local community.

St. Francis is concerned about the life of the Duboce Triangle community and the city of San Francisco. Many 12 step groups meet here every day –see the notice board on the street. Seniors meet here every Wednesday. We also provide a Sunday church school. (There’s an Easter egg hunt after church for all young children). Pastor Dawn has been called to develop this part of the vision.

Pastor Robert has been called to lead this congregation pastorally and to further our vision of being a beacon of light for justice in the world. Right now, the churches are still struggling for equality for LGBTQ persons in church and society. It should be over, but it isn’t. An example of Pastor Robert’s work is on page 24 -a review of the national Lutheran church’s latest sexuality draft document. But justice calls us in many ways -including the struggle of hospital service workers at UCSF and the plight of the homeless.

This congregation and its pastors extend a warm welcome to you and we invite you to share in our vision as a people of God in the Duboce Triangle.

The 50 page Draft Statement on Human Sexuality, released on Thursday shows no movement toward justice for LGBTQ persons or their advocates. It is available online at: http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/. The draft neither prescribes nor recommends any changes in the current policy or practice of the ELCA related to the legitimacy of same sex committed relationships (p. 36: Line 1103ff).

Rather, the best that could be said is that it provides another theological framework for further conversation and deliberation by the church about such policy changes that could be implemented through resolutions or other policy revisions considered at Churchwide Assemblies. (Haven’t we been here before?)

But more sorrowfully, not only does it reserve marriage to heterosexuals but exalts hetero-sexual marriage "as blessed by God as a primary basis of human community".(p.38) While the "a" gives wiggle room, the thrust of the report as a whole really puts down single people and homosexual couples. Its message is that single people have integrity (Ibid.) but the report does not say they are "blessed as a primary basis of human community."

Of course it follows that homosexual couples do not appear as a primary basis of human community. This report cannot bring itself to speak justly -only politely about LGBT people. On decisiveness it can only say that the church is divided and, weakly, to discuss homosexual persons and relationships in terms of our community of sinfulness with heterosexuals and to commend that we are all justified by faith (p.37). The report refuses to step over the divide and speak a word of prophetic courage of even showing an inclination towards support of gay people.

It is almost hilarious that we get this saccharin of "care for and support of same-gender-oriented people and their families" while also commending without even the slightest hint of critique that "some pastors will advocate repentance and celibacy" of LGBT people. (Ibid) Where are these same gender people and their families? -floating in outer space? Where is someone who will stand up and say like Paul, "Why do you make LGBTQ (Gentile) people in your heterosexual (Jewish-Christian) image, pastor?" Where is the courage even to say that we do not commend this behavior by clergy?

No, once again the ELCA continues to be paralyzed spiritually by the need for unity of the church over courage and justice. Heterosexual marriage has now been exalted to the point of idolatry -which encourages further oppression under the cover of spiritualized Lutheran justificationism, equanimity and saccharin counsels.

Sooner or later, or sadly, never, the ELCA will get the courage to say what is right, just and faithful -rather than bow once again to finding consensus and now the exaltation of marriage. This report is more wasted energy. It is another expensive conference that refuses to face the reality that we disagree and cannot find consensus. It is lukewarm -and we know how the Lamb feels about that. Much angst and effort was no doubt expended -but most went to their heterosexual homes just wanting to be nice in that Lutheran way. But this report is not nice. It is unfaithful to the Gospel.

Because this sexuality report is a draft, our input is encouraged by Nov. 1st. A special class open to all should begin to read, discuss and critique the theology and its insipid, non-prophetic role.

Pastor Robert and Dawn

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKET

Lutherans Concerned/North America invites people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to assemble with members of Reconciling in Christ and prospective RIC congregations at San Francisco State University July 3-6 under the theme, Hearts on Fire.

We’ll worship together, using a rich variety of traditions of the worshipping community. We’ll provide a blend of the familiar and the unique drawing on our Lutheran heritage and the wealth of liturgical practice in the area. We’ll network with one another, hear stories of joy and frustration, and make decisions together about the future direction of Lutherans Concerned/North America.

Hearts on Fire. is more than a conference. We take pride in nurturing our participants. Many see the biennial assembly as a family reunion. In 2008, we hope to expand that family feeling by offering some new and exciting aspects to the assembly. Assembly Pre-Events offer extra education and edification before the assembly begins. Vacation Bible School will be offered for children of Assembly attendees and local RIC congregations. This will allow children to have a meaningful Assembly experience along with parents. Keynote Speakers include the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire.

Information and Registration are at http://www.lcna.org/assembly/ This event is right in our backyard. We have been asked to provide many volunteers -the more the merrier. If you able to assist to any degree, please talk to the pastors. We also need to consider whether St. Francis will be a hospitality center because we are on the Muni line that goes to and from San Francisco State. Many attendees could stop at St. Francis as their beginning point for visiting the Castro community.