8/28/2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)

If anyone knew tribulation, hardship and distress, it was St. Paul.  And yet, through all of his troubles, St. Paul’s faith in God grew stronger. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Although both of your pastors are in anguish that the ELCA has now endorsed blessings and ordinations for active gays and lesbians in spite of the clear teaching of Scripture on marriage and homosexual behavior, we are not surprised by this action.  We have known this was coming for a long time.

For this reason, Holy Trinity voted to became a CORE congregation at our Annual Congregational meeting on January 29, 2006. This action allowed us to join together with many other confessional congregations and reform organizations within the ELCA. (See www.holytrinity.net for all of the background information).

Right now, CORE is encouraging all congregations to take the time to pray and reflect with others and wait for God to disclose His will to us. No one is going to make any hasty decisions. To facilitate opportunity for reflection with others, there will be a CORE convocation on September 25 & 26 in Indianapolis. Holy Trinity’s Congregation Council has already approved sending Pastor Mike and two Council members (Mark Daria and Tom Scheid) to this convocation.  Other members of this congregation are already planning to attend this convocation, and any of you who wish to attend are most welcome. The attached letter from Paull Spring, Chairman of Lutheran CORE and former Bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, explains in detail the thinking of CORE at this point.

It is important to restate that your pastors and Congregation Council are deeply sensitive to the need of the church to provide gentle, pastoral care to all persons, specifically including those gay and lesbian persons who have suffered so much. 

It is also important to restate that endorsing same-sex blessings and the ordination of homosexual persons by the ELCA shows an indifference to the moral teaching on sexuality that we have shared with the vast majority of the Christian Church throughout the ages and across cultures.

May God open our hearts and minds that we might clearly discern His will. And may the peace of God that passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, now and forever.

Pastors Mike and Mandy