Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Big happenings today

In case you have not heard yet, many good things happened today. The HIV/AIDS strategy went forward and the big news of the day was the weather. In the middle of an intense discussion, we were told we all had to stay inside the plenary hall and all those who were in the outside hallway were moved in. The sirens went off and we were told there was a tornado warning, not that unusual for Minnesota in august. A fellow pastor from the Bay area did not know what to think and I reassured her that everything would be ok. We heard a short time later that a tornado actually touched down, doing some damage to the roof of the convention center, knocked down trees and the spire of Central Lutheran across the street. No one was hurt and we were all grateful.
The conversation in the mean time got heated as all the amendments to the Social Statement on Human sexuality was being discussed, some even using the tornado as a metaphor.
None of the amendments that would have set justice back passed.And then they voted on the Social Statement. It needed 2/3 to pass and the percentage of yes votes was 66.67. We looked at the numbers more than once because we couldn't believe that it was that close to failure. A little later, people tried to ask for reconsideration and made comments they were not sure their votes were counted but the bishop ruled them out of order.
I went from this wonderful news to the Goodsoil worship service at Central. It was a full house, the biggest Goodsoil worship we have had, Barbara Lundblad preached a wonderful sermon(of course she always preaches well). Everyone was in good spirits and the worship was uplifting and joyful.
The best part of today is that I get to go to bed tonight feeling affirmed by my church!!! The Holy Spirit is blowing through this assembly and I am more confident that the change in ministry policies might actually happen. I think after that vote, I will be able to breath again and process all that is happening this week.

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