GA commissioners and advisory delegates put in a bit of overtime Monday night
Constitutional items are settled, and work on the Ordination Task Force report gets started
MILWAUKEE — The Committee on Constitutional Interpretation continued to present overtures to the 227th General Assembly on Monday night, opening with CON-07, On Removing Required Participation in the Board of Pensions Medical Plan.
The committee recommended disapproval, and commissioners did just that, voting it down 435-42.
Then commissioners turned around and approved with near unanimity three requests for authoritative interpretation, CON-11, CON-12 and CON-14.
They then turned to CON-10, On Requiring Ministers of Word and Sacrament to be Monogamous. Committee Moderator the Rev. Miriam Hollar said committee members ultimately decided they needed “greater understanding of these issues in order to make a full decision.”
The committee recommended that the item be referred to the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy for discussion as part of the comprehensive theological framework proposed in GEN-09 with this comment: “This action allows for a fuller consideration of marriage, families and sexual ethics as part of a broader study with more time, adequate funding, deeper expertise and intentional representation.”
Commissioners voted to refer the item by a count of 433-44.
On CON-06, Restoration to Ordered Ministry After Sexual Misconduct, the committee recommended disapproval. Commissioners obliged that request by a 449-10 vote.
There was total agreement on the committee’s final item, CON-16, another request for authoritative interpretation. Commissioners voted 465-0 for approval, then applauded their accomplishment.
“Never has there been such joy over an authoritative interpretation,” quipped GA Moderator the Rev. Tony Larson.
The Theological Education and Ordination Committee began presenting ORD-07, the report of the Ordination Task Force. Commissioners turned back a handful of proposed amendments before the item was arrested. It will be considered Tuesday morning.
The committee’s moderator, the Rev. Charlotte Lohrenz of Whitewater Valley Presbytery, said the report is the culmination of four years of study on the part of the Ordination Task Force.
As with other plenary sessions, the Assembly was blessed Monday night by opening and closing prayers led by advisory delegates.
Theological Student Advisory Delegates Fay Palmer and Faith Kemmler prayed God would grant the Assembly “wisdom that is humble, courage that is gracious, and love that seeks not our own way but the good of your whole church. Give us patience to listen well, openness to the movement of your Spirit and faithfulness to seek discernment over victory.”
Young Adult Advisory Delegates Illianna Levenson and Elisabeth Writtenberry offered a closing prayer.
“You place others in our lives to inspire us to work together and be the church you called us to be,” the YAADs prayed. “Thank you for your guidance through every motion, amendment, amendment to the amendment, every call for the question, every groan and vote.”
“As we return [Tuesday], fill us with the courage to speak our minds, curiosity to ask hard questions and the humility to recognize when the Spirit is shepherding us in another direction.”
An ecumenical worship service is set for 8:30 a.m. Central time on Tuesday. Watch the service here.
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