ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 3, 1996 TAG: 9606030117
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
Virginia Lutherans concluded a weekend of business and worship Sunday morning, having approved a $1.76 million budget, elected a new treasurer to keep track of the money, and passed a resolution condemning gambling in the commonwealth.
Members of the annual assembly of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America zipped through their work, avoiding any open conflicts over issues that have created friction in some other denominations recently, such as sexuality.
Earlier this spring, the synod's social-action committee contacted each pastor and congregation regarding a national church initiative "regarding the need for a Gay and Lesbian Task Force to foster moral deliberation with, and provide advocacy for, persons in our synod congregations of gay and lesbian orientation."
About two-thirds of those responding were against the idea of creating a new task force. Instead, the assembly members approved a committee recommendation to set aside time during social-action committee meetings to discuss gay and lesbian issues.
On another sexuality issue, the assembly approved a resolution urging continuing efforts at reconciliation, care and prayer for the "victims, congregations, clergy and bishop" affected by clergy sexual misconduct.
The prospect of riverboat gambling in the state prompted a resolution condemning that proposal, as well as "all forms of commercial and government sponsored gambling and the advertising aimed at encouraging it."
One of the practical difficulties of increasingly close ecumenical relations also was addressed - if not actually resolved - in a resolution dealing with the lack of voting privileges at the assembly for non-Lutheran clergy who serve Lutheran congregations.
An ordained Presbyterian minister is pastor of Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta. Though the parish functions as a single congregation, it is technically three separate churches - one Lutheran, one Episcopalian, and one Presbyterian.
The congregation has sought the right for its pastor to vote in both the Lutheran synodical and Episcopal diocesan meetings. The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia earlier this year gave its initial approval to constitution and canon revisions that would allow that.
The Lutherans' resolution is less specific, seeking only "an interim exemption" to national church rules that would allow the pastor of the ecumenical parish to have a vote "until a more permanent solution evolves."
That last wording is in anticipation of the widely expected eventual approval at the national levels for Lutherans, Episcopalians and Presbyterians to recognize and allow the interchangeable services of each other's clergy.
The 435 voting members of the assembly, representing the largest Lutheran body in the state, also elected Martha A. Edwards as the synod treasurer.
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