PASTOR

Dear Members and Friends of St. Martin's,

The week of August 6-11, 2007 is an important one for our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and, because of our membership in the ELCA, an important one for us at St. Martin's, as well. During this week the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA will be gathering in Chicago, IL. Some of you may recall that the Churchwide Assembly, accroding to the Constitutions and Bylaws of the ELCA, is the highest legislative authority of the ELCA which deals with all matters which are necessary in the pursuit of the purposes and functions of the ELCA (13.11.).

What issues will be coming before this year's Assembly? According to an ELCA press release shared by our Bishop, the following items will be on the agenda:

the election of the Presiding Bishop;
the election of the ELCA Secretary;
a proposed social statement, "Our Calling in Education," a fifty-nine page proposal prepared by a task force with input from throughout the ELCA (a "social statement" is a social policy document, adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, addressing significant social issues);
a "Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding" proposal for stewardship education and mission funding;
a renewal initiative for the ELCA, "Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible," aimed at encouraging members to engage the Scriptures, and for intentional teaching, understanding, and use of Lutheran approaches to Scripture;
a proposal to affirm the ELCA's work to introduce "Evangelical Lutheran Worship," the ELCA's newest worship materials (hymnal) introduced in 2006;
a proposal to commit the ELCA to greater engagement in response to HIV and AIDS through development of a churchwide strategy for the coming decade;
budget recommendations for 2008 and 2009 (for 2008 the ELCA Church Council has proposed a budget of $81.67 million and an ELCA World Hunger income proposal of $19.2 million; for 2009 a budget of $81.92 million and an ELCA World Hunger income of $20 million are being proposed);
elect nine new members to the Church Council, and others to various board and committees that work in partnership with the churchwide organization;
act on several constitutional amendments to be presented for consideration along with resolutions or "memorials" from Synods, and proposals from Assembly voting members;
reports on multicultural ministries and justice for women;
reports and greetings from representatives of the ELCA's ecumenical partners, other church bodies and church organizations;
recognize the 100th anniversary of Lutheran campus ministry and the 60th anniversary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Among the memorials that will be coming before the Assembly will be many proposals concerning the ELCA's on-going discussions about the inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life of the ELCA. As our own Synodical Bishop, John Schreiber, has written concerning this:

"Over twenty synods have memorialized the ELCA to change its current policy precluding gay and lesbian people in partnered relationships from service on the rosters of the church. Other synods have memorialized the ELCA not to change our policies. What will come forth from these discussions is hard to predict as things can change quickly in floor deliberations."

He continues by adding the following, "As we prepare for this assembly I am inviting you to pray for this assembly as we seek the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit."

The Bishop also welcomes anyone interested in meeting with the voting members who are going to the Churchwide Assembly (Churchwide Assembly voting members are nominated and elected at each Synod's Assembly) to do so at the Synod House, 8115 East Jefferson in Detroit on Saturday, July 28 from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Also, any wishing to express their thoughts or concerns may do so before July 28 by emailing the Synod at www.semisynod@aol.com. The Assembly itself may also be watched on the web at www.elca.org.

In conclusion allow me, too, to encourage your prayers for the Churchwide Assembly, the Rev. Mark Hanson, our Presiding Bishop, John our own Bishop, and for all the voting members before, during, and after August 6-11 (I would, however, encourage you to special and intentional times of prayer and intercession during those dates). Whatever our personal positions may be on the items on the agenda, or however strong our feelings may be about the same, it behooves us as Christians intentionally and deliberately to seek our Lord and His will for the ELCA. Use the agenda points listed above to guide your prayers. If you need more information about any of the items listed, the ELCA's official website, www.elca.org, will be of great assistance to you.

During the week of August 6-11, and always, we will do well to remember and to put into practice the Apostle St. Paul's admonition to young St. Timothy:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2.1-4 RSV).

Praying together with you I remain...

Yours in the friendship of Christ and St. Martin,

Rev. Troy G. Waite, Pastor

Prayer for the

A.D. 2007

ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Almighty and Eternal God,

the Giver of grace and strength:

We beseech You

to bestow Your blessing upon us,

upon Your Church,

and upon the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America,

most especially to those who have been

placed in positions of trust in Your holy Church.

Give all who are participating in the

Churchwide Assembly a clear sense

of their duty, and lead them to a faithful

discharge of the same.

Grant them gentleness, forbearance,

a right judgement and personal consecration,

that by precept and example,

as well as by their official actions,

the temporal and spiritual good of Your Church

may be enlarged.

Ecpecially direct them in their counsels

by Your gracious Spirit, so that all things may be done

to the glory of Your Name,

and for the unity, peace, and prosperity

of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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