What happened at the 2019 ELCA Synod Assemblies

The spring and summer of 2019 saw synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America holding their assemblies.  It is a time when the liberal of liberals, the radical of radicals put down their keyboards and take a pause from their social media rantings to go to their ELCA synod assembly in order to vote for their favorite causes and elect their leaders.  

Some of this year's attendees and happenings are contained below:

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​Homosexual bishop, Guy Erwin was re-elected to another 6-year term by the Southwest California Synod. The synod Facebook page shared the news and a picture from SoCal Lutherans, which says they are "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Allied Lutheran Christians in Southern California." 
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During the Delaware-Maryland (DE-MD) Synod Assembly one of the most vile pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was elected to the synod Discipline Committee, Rev. Lura Groen.  (Read about her here)

Lura Groen and Sallie Gartside have been elected to the Discipline Committee. #demdsa19

— DE-MD Synod ELCA (@ELCAdemdsynod) May 31, 2019

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Pastor Tamika Jay claims she is part of the DE-MD Synod and she wants attendees to know that "...not 'agreeing' about the rights and welcome of all of G-d's people is not about unity.  That is bigotry."

And to be clear, not “agreeing” about the rights and welcome of all of G-d’s people is not about unity. That is bigotry. Let’s call a thing a thing #demdsa19

— Pastor Tamika Jay □ (@tamika_jay_) May 31, 2019

Pastor Jay goes on to say that she is "proud of us" (the DE-MA Synod) for voting be a RIC (LGBT approving) Synod.

I and so proud of us for voting for the resolution to be a RIC synod. #demdsa19

— Pastor Tamika Jay □ (@tamika_jay_) May 31, 2019

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​An article from the ELCA magazine Living Lutheran reports the Northeastern Minnesota synod passed resolutions on "polices that welcome migrants, opposing conversion therapy and calling for a commitment toward gender justice":

(See page 36 here) 

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A Pacifica Synod of the ELCA resolution was approved for "full participation of rostered ministers in equality, diversity and anti-racism training." Another resolution passed calling for "the use of inclusive and expansive language for humankind and God." (See page 38 here)
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​I do not know exactly what this Tweet and the list of "Questions for Candidates" by the Upstate New York Synod means, but it doesn't sound good. 

The Assembly just voted to formally include questions around inclusion and justice for people of color and the LGBTQIA+ Community. Thank you to @ReconcilingWrks @ExtraLuthMin and @emmauscollecti1 for your work and helping us be a better church! pic.twitter.com/n0BbTVxIjr

— UpstateNYSynod ELCA (@UpstateNYSynod) May 31, 2019

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The Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly passed ​Resolution 2019-4 Regarding a Social Statement on Gender Identity and Gender Expression. It said:

"RESOLVED that the Sierra Pacific Synod memorialize the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA to commission a study leading to a social statement on gender identity, gender expression and human sexuality; and be it further

RESOLVED that this study should facilitate education among our members so as to build awareness of the broad varieties of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation among God's people, as well as provide pastoral care insights regarding concerns and issues of the transgender experience and gender non-conformity." (See here) 

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ELCA Pastor Emily Scott, a past speaker at the ELCA Youth Gathering, wrote to those attending the Delaware-Maryland Synod assembly encouraging people to write on their name tag which pronouns people should use when addressing them. 

Hey Synod Assembly! Today you’ll see some folks with their pronouns written on their nametag. This practice helps trans and nonbinary folks communicate their gender identity. Writing yours too is a sign of support, and a reminder not to make assumptions! #demdsa19 pic.twitter.com/gClcKyHzlW

— Emily Scott (@Broken_Bread) May 31, 2019

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Someone at the Oregon Synod Assembly of the ELCA Tweeted:

Going to be repping my @QueerlyBelovedT gear tomorrow during synod assembly and hopefully get some more double takes and comments like I did today. #FaithfullyLGBT #OregonSynod #ELCA

— Spread Tacos Not Hate (@therealpabs7) May 11, 2019

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The ELCA's Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly's action:
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As of today @ELCA Lutherans in three synods--@NEMNSynod, @mplssynod, and @spaselca--have voted at their annual assemblies this year to condemn #ConversionTherapy and support efforts to ban it in Minnesota. #BornPerfect @outfrontmn

— Javen Swanson (@javenswanson) May 17, 2019

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​At the Metropolitan New York Synod they "set the agenda for the Synod's strategic plan for the upcoming year, including major initiatives surrounding ecumenical efforts, inclusion of immigrants, and programming celebrating LGBTQIA+ congregants. The group also passed a resolution for consideration to the ELCA National Church Assembly in August, to declare itself as a "Sanctuary" Denomination, ready to seek justice and protection for refugees and undocumented people; and a resolution to endorse the Poor People's Campaign and encourage its members to participate where appropriate in the organizing, advocacy, and actions of the campaign." (See here) 

Also the Metro New York Synod:

@MetroNYSynod officially memorialized to the @ELCA Churchwide Assembly to officially endorse @UniteThePoor campaign. This is part of the national strategy of @emmauscollecti1 for dismantling white supremacy in the ELCA and the world.

— Rev. Lenny Duncan (@lennyaduncan) May 18, 2019

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The Northwest Washington Synod passed the following resolutions:

Resolution E - No Way to Treat a Child: Protecting the Human Rights of Palestinian Children - passed by #NWWA19 https://t.co/8iY4H1a99U

— NWWA Synod ELCA (@LutheransNW) May 19, 2019

Resolution D - Antiracism and Diversity Training for Rostered Ministers - passed at #NWWA19

— NWWA Synod ELCA (@LutheransNW) May 19, 2019

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The South-Central of Wisconsin ELCA synod passed resolutions "in support of immigration reform and refugee resettlement" and "human rights of Palestinian children." (see page 38 here) 

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A workshop called "Transgender 101" was held at the Southwest California Synod Assembly.

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Below is a bunch of news from the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America:
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The resolution has been referred to the synod council. #njsa19

— NJ Synod, ELCA (@njsynod) June 8, 2019

“Brothers and sisters across this church” excludes #nonbinary folks. THIS is why we need to do better. #bebold #njsa19 @elca

— Rev Mark David Johnson (@revmdj) June 7, 2019

From the stewardship team: During a five year period, giving by baptized member went up 1% but our financial capacity has diminished due to a 15% drop in membership and 19% drop in worship attendance. #njsa19

— NJ Synod, ELCA (@njsynod) June 7, 2019

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Finally, the Metro D. C. Synod of the ELCA passed a memorial about the "process around revising" Vision and Expectations:

The memoral for the ELCA to have a reasonable process around revising visions and expectations passed with only 22 no votes. Someone asked if we coordinated. Of course we did! We organize. #DCSynodAsm19

— Kate Wulff (@KateWulff) June 14, 2019

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Below are comments by our friend, Rev. Tom Brock about resolutions and ELCA assemblies:
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