Council News May 2010

The Council continued a busy agenda throughout the month of May.  At our May 10^th meeting, Don Zigament gave an extremely well researched presentation asking Council to consider placing the American flag in the sanctuary.  Don had visited multiple churches from several denominations in the area to show how the American flag was displayed at each location.   It was an impressive overview and I would like to thank Don for taking the time and commitment to examine this important question in detail.  After considering Don’s request, Council decided to maintain our current policy in regard to the placement of the American flag.

The Council completed the composition of both a Call Committee and a Mutual Ministry Committee.  The Call Committee has already had several meetings and will hopefully be interviewing candidates throughout the summer months.  The Mutual Ministry Committee will begin meeting this summer and will be available to meet with Lead Team members in the near future.  It is our desire to see this committee evolve as an important resource for Lead Team members to utilize.  It is the Council’s desire to have this committee help build a staff – congregation partnership that keeps the lines of communication open and helps avoid potential problems.

The Council also began the process of identifying where OSLC stands on the issue of human sexuality.  Following the ELCA statement on “Human Sexuality” last summer, each congregation must ascertain its stance on blessing same gender relationships and/or the acceptance of pastors who are in lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships.  This is a decision that will not be made by the Council or any committee on its own.  The Sexuality Task Force will aid the Council in developing and implementing programs and events that will provide educational opportunities for the congregation to better understand the ELCA social statement and will also provide for multiple opportunities, in a variety of formats, for respectful dialogue on the issues.   No change in our present policy will occur without a congregational vote that is indicative of a decisive majority in favor of such a change.  The Council has formulated a document to guide the process and will be selecting committee members in June.

Finally, the Council will discuss the big picture in terms of property and how we should proceed in the future. In addition, we will standardize the process whereby programs will be reviewed annually.  Please keep the Council and Lead Team in your prayers as we move forward on these various issues.

Yours in Christ,

Joe Meyer