Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for August 9, 2009 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER: |
Pastor Robert Goldstein
In Minneapolis from August 17-23 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will meet in a national assembly to address several issues for the church, including the role of lesbian and gay couples. Your pastors will be there.
A new and positive sexuality social statement will be presented as well as policy recommendations for gay and lesbian couples, both clergy and lay. These topics, especially the policy recommendations — which recommend the recognition of gay and lesbian clergy in committed relationships as a new policy of the church, are causing a lot of pre-assembly controversy not unlike that in the Episcopal Church. The ELCA already allows gay and lesbian single clergy but they must be celibate. It was this celibacy rule that St. Francis thoughtfully refused to agree to, and by calling pastors Ruth and Phyllis, the congregation was put on trial and removed from the ELCA roster.
A series of open letters to the voting members of the assembly from both sides of the debate have been circulating. Former Presiding Bishop, Herbert Chilstrom, responded in support of the proposed changes to the open letter of Lutheran CORE, an organization opposing LGBTQ rights. Retired theologian, Carl Braaten, responded to Bishop Chilstrom, asserting that the ELCA is capitulating to heretical liberal Protestantism.
Theologians always have labels and, as your pastor, I am not impressed with Prof. Braaten’s analysis. It really boils down to this: As Christians, we are faced with a completely new situation: a scientific explanation of how people develop sexual identity. We have to reconcile that new explanation with the traditional Biblical explanations. In that prayerful dialog we seek the Word of God. This does not elevate reason and experience above Scripture and Tradition, but places them in dialog and struggle for hearing the Word of God today.
As with slavery, the nature of the universe and the role of women in church and society, the church listens for the Word of God in dialog with received traditions of biblical texts relating to those issues. The church is neither obligated to new interpretations nor to traditional interpretations of texts surrounding these issues, but only to hearing the Word of God.
We bear witness that the Word of God has spoken that in the scientific explanation of sexuality we understand God’s creation better, are wakened to the need for justice for LGBTQ persons, called to bring liberty to those stuck in oppressive situations and work to heal the brokeness.
Sexuality in religion is a difficult subject. The causes are many. But chiefly the negative and guilt-soaked history of the church on sex has made dialog on the issue difficult for people to engage. Add to this the 1000 year history of celibacy as a higher calling as well as the dynamic of religious energy through sublimation of sexual drives and we can see how variedly difficult it is for people to talk openly and together about God and sex.
But what is about to happen at the ELCA assembly is truly historic for American Lutherans if what is recommended is passed. The open letters opposing the changes give the usual threats: positive homosexuality is unheard of in the church throughout the ages (as if antislavery, evolution and women were not); it will alienate Lutherans in other cultures (as if antislavery, evolution and women do not), and will further divide us from Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. And finally, there is the threat that congregations will leave.
Our response and our actions are to embrace the Spirit of the Word of God. Those who disagree with us will always be our brothers and sisters as painful as the divisions might become. And those shut out presently because of dubious theological teachings, the inability to talk openly about our sexuality, the ignoring of solid scientific explanations, and unexamined homophobia, —those shut out presently are our brothers and sisters too.
In spite of the coming divisions, the church has its unity not in uniformity of doctrine but in its diversity in Christ who speaks to us through Scripture, tradition and experience –just as Christ speaks to us every day of our lives.
If the historic changes take place at the Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, there are still the issues of bisexual and transgendered people. But if things go as we hope a major step towards full inclusion in church and society would have begun. If so, we at St. Francis need to revisit our vision and our future with the wider church. It can be an exciting adventure —just as our historic past has been. For the ELCA has heard the Word of God anew as we have too. Let’s pray for the Minneapolis Assembly and for people hurt by the exclusion as well as those having to learn a new thing.
Barb and Jack will be moving. Next Sunday, August 16, 1 - 4 PM Klings' Art Gallery at the residence of Jack and Barbara Kling, will provide an opportunity to see Jack's art displayed. 10% of sales will go toward the St. Francis Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanks to Sarah Wells for the idea.
Last week, the American Psychological Association released a study on so-called “Reparative Therapy” or “Ex-gay therapy”. This is a very nuanced document advising mental health professionals to avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments.
The "Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts" also advises that parents, guardians, young people and their families avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services "that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth."
In a more religiously nuanced discussion the task force identified that some clients seeking to change their sexual orientation may be in distress because of a conflict between their sexual orientation and religious beliefs. The task force recommended that licensed mental health care providers treating such clients help them "explore possible life paths that address the reality of their sexual orientation, reduce the stigma associated with homosexuality, respect the client's religious beliefs, and consider possibilities for a religiously and spiritually meaningful and rewarding life.”
From the Facebook Page: "We must do everything in our power to enlist our straight allies, family members, co-workers to march side by side with us on October 11 for the National Equality March on Washington." If you are Straight, if you are LGBT, COME OUT to March on Washington this October, to demand equal protection under the law for EVERYONE!
See their website:
www.nationalequalitymarch.com which includes a blog and the Facebook page for more information.
The 19th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (breast cancer) will be held this year on Sunday, September 27, along the Embarcadero. Join the St. Francis and Friends Team for a early morning walk. To register online go to www.komensf.org and join our team---St. Francis and Friends. See Barbara Kling for more details.
Ah - don’t you just love human error, especially when it’s your own? I last informed you that our rough fundraising total on the day of the walk was $30,185. I now have the official results: as of August 3rd, our total is only $27,255.
So what happened? Arithmetic (adding), and I are super close. And when I checked, I had made a mistake which was in my account. I thought I had raised $5,530 with check contributions on July 19th. Alas, I had only raised $3,950. Sorry, sorry, sorry.
But there is good news. Unless I’ve goofed again, my total now is $9,990, so that puts the team total at $31,580, still some distance from our 2008 total of $43,204.
Will donations come in? Yes, especially to the 13 star walkers. I will be contacting each of you to confirm your totals. In addition, there are 9 St. Francis team members who in the past have raised funds. I will also be contacting them.
On August 14th at 3:00, I have my final meeting with Aids Walk San Francisco staff. I need to know of any additional funds to your individual account before then.
I remain overwhelmingly grateful to everyone who raised money on our team.
Little Maxie
Our resident beekeeper,Timur Muhrlin, recently gave a talk to the Senior Center on bees and beekeeping. He talked about how the bees have their own community and know instinctively what to do. The presentation finished with a sampling of honey from the hive.
Not only did Timur have pictures and other displays, he brought bees too (at left on the piano).
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The church office is open from 8:30 am to 5 PM, It is highly recommended that appointments be made when visiting Dave Walda, the Senior Parish Administrator to insure that he will be available to assist you. Thanks!
Lectionary for next Sunday
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
General Email: St.FrancisSF - at - sbcglobal.net
The Rev. Robert Goldstein: RevRGoldstein-at-sbcglobal.net
The Rev. Dawn Roginski RevDRoginski-at-sbcglobal.net
Dr. David Schofield StFrancischoir-at-sbcglobal.net
David Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: St.FrancisSF-at-sbcglobal.net
Deadline for Times material is Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Every effort will be made to accommodate all submissions according
to space availability.
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