People attending MUST attend all three sessions. Session 1:  Sunday, Feb. 14, 2-4:30 p.m. Great Hall  OR   Thursday, Feb. 18, 6-8:30 p.m. Sanctuary Session 2: Sunday, Feb. 28, 2-4:30 p.m. Great Hall  OR   Thursday, March 4, 6-8:30 p.m. Great Hall Session 3: Sunday, March 21, 2-4:30 p.m. Great Hall  OR   Thursday, March 25, 6-8:30 p.m. Great Hall

Since the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's National Assembly in August, some in our congregation have asked important questions regarding the policies and procedures regarding three questions:

1. Will the church be doing same sex blessings?
2. Will the church be hiring a gay clergy?
3. What is our relationship with the ELCA? 

I find that many people who are asking the questions already have an answer with which they hope we, as clergy, will respond.  At times, we realize that our answers are frustrating.  We often reply: What do you think?  We ask this not to be trite, but because we believe that working deep into scripture and prayer allow a community to own their perspectives on these issues.  We also believe that it is possible for a community to live and listen to each other and disagree and STILL be loving and in community together.

As a church we believe that we are healthy enough to trust each other in a process of listening and learning.  Starting in February and ending in March, we will be hosting three sessions on this issue (see box above for dates and times):

Session 1: How communities disagree and still treat each other with respect. In addition, we will look at the history of the sexuality conversation in the ELCA and how it could impact the life of St. Andrew’s.

Session 2: How do Lutherans read scripture and how do faithful people use the same scriptures to arrive at differing perspectives in scripture?

Session 3: We will hear the multiple perspectives of humans who have struggled with these issues.

We will use a combination of our church leadership, other resources, and voices from outside our walls, and we will listen to your words and concerns.  Our Church Council will be engaging in the conversation with us and be listening to all perspectives as we journey together.  We have already engaged our prayer team and will have our people in prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us as we listen and learn together.

Registration for the sessions is not necessary.

Finally, we ask that people who attend these sessions commit to attending all three sessions. In this manner, we will each gain a full perspective and grow together.

In Christ,
Pastor Mike Carlson