Churchwide Assembly, August 16

Today’s business at the Churchwide Assembly was taken care of this morning. The assembly worked on the LIFT (Living into the Future Together) implementing resolutions and constitutional issues related to LIFT and program committees. While the assembly tended to their business, I filled out my Leadership Circle commitment to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Everyone at the assembly has been invited to consider a four year pledge to help eradicate malaria. I am hoping that many here will make significant commitments. Can you imagine the impact of 1,000 to 1,200 people leaving this place and going home to tell the story having already made their pledge? I later placed my commitment into a basket with many others. Fair warning…we’ll be talking about this in Northern Illinois!

The day took on an international flair as soon as we entered worship. The gathering song was a stunning solo sung in Japanese. The first hymn, sung in English, was of Japanese origin. We heard a compelling sermon delivered by the Rev. Marysol Diaz Feliciano, an ELCA pastor serving a congregation in Puerto Rico. Her sermon was based on Luke 24:13-25, which she had read in Spanish. Today’s offering was designated for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. We celebrate Holy Communion each day.

This afternoon was devoted to a Bible study followed by a Mission Encounter, which is something new to this assembly. In two sessions, participants learned of how ELCA ministries are impacting immigrant populations in the U.S and churches throughout the world. I was particularly interested in learning of the work we Lutherans are doing as we accompany the church in China. I think a few people must have skipped out on the second session in the tired hours of the late afternoon. I saw some empty chairs.

This evening’s dinner would have enlivened even the sleepiest soul. The musicians, perhaps the most ethnically diverse group I have had the privilege to hear, provided a great variety of international music. I was unable to sit still in my seat as they sang, and that’s saying something. I wish my wife could have heard them; she would have loved every note and every word. They sang from a number of traditions and in differing styles.

Our dinner was also made up of international flavors. While I loved the hummus, I just took a polite serving of the herring. I can honestly say that I have never had sushi for dessert before. Mango sushi is OK if you don’t mind the seaweed.

So, it was not an overly taxing day for our voting members, but it was tiring nonetheless. It’s back to business tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m. Don’t forget to check the ELCA website (www.elca.org/assembly) for news releases, legislative action, and live streaming of plenary sessions and worship services. Be sure to check out http://livinglutheran.com/contest to see the videos that have been submitted from across our church. Some are simply terrific.

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for this assembly and the voting members from our Northern Illinois Synod. Pictured above is the assembly at work this morning. The cross is the backdrop for our worship. Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. --JC