I write on August 22nd, 2009. It’s late on a hot, rainy Saturday afternoon; I actually am seated at my desk in my study. I need these specific bits of orientation, just now - they help keep me grounded, connected to the earth. Because in the last three days, so much has changed. It is almost impossible to believe, almost more than I can absorb. I am so proud of our church.

Over the last three days our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in church-wide assembly, has formally adopted a new social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.”

The vote was 676-338, or precisely the 2/3rds supermajority required by our constitution.

By a substantial majority we have:
- agreed that we, as a church, will “recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”
- committed to “finding a way for people in such … same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church.”
- dedicated ourselves to the proposition that this church will move toward change “in a way that respects the bound consciences of all.”

The 8-year-long process that resulted in such momentous events was exhaustive, and exhausting. Often, it was painful for people of good faith on both sides of the issue. But it was always, always, grounded in faith in the one God who created us all, loves us all, and welcomes us all to the table of grace.

Now there is work to do. The slogan for this assembly was “God’s work. Our hands.” The assembly made significant commitments on HIV/AIDS funding, affirmed a Lutheran Malaria initiative, and approved Full Communion with the United Methodist Church.

The world - God’s Creation - is calling. Let us journey together , all of us, at last.

- Pastor Parsons