ShepherdoftheValley

The text below contstitutes a letter drafted by both the Congregational Council and the Mutual Ministries Committee to the whole congregation. To download this document click on the title below.

Letter to the Congregation from the Council and the Mutual Ministries Committee

October 27, 2009

For as just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, ‘Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ […] But God has arranged the body…that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. (1 Cor. 12:12-26)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

There is pain within the Shepherd of the Valley family. Some family members are in pain because they disagree with the resolutions passed at the Churchwide assembly this summer. Some family members are in pain because their sisters and brothers are removing themselves from SOV, leaving the body with a missing hand or eye or foot (1 Cor. 12). SOV’s Council and Mutual Ministry Committee see the pain in our family and are saddened by it. We implore you all to remember that the family is diminished when any of its members leave and especially when members leave without first engaging in dialog about their reasons for withdrawing. We have offered a number of opportunities for SOV’s family members to share their concerns, fears, hopes, embarrassment, even outrage. Everyone’s point of view has been heard and respected at these sessions. No one has tried to change anyone’s mind; the only requirement has been for everyone to listen respectfully and carefully to all of the viewpoints expressed. Sadly, only relatively few people have chosen to participate in these conversations.

And there are very many viewpoints. Pr. Grunow recently shared an article that David Yeago, a professor at the ELCA seminary in South Carolina, wrote. Prof. Yeago fiercely opposes the resolutions, yet argues about the importance of remaining within the community. He asks pastors if the resolutions ‘prevent [them] from preaching the gospel and building up the people of God as [they] have been called to do.’ He asks us members of local congregations if these actions prevent us from ‘hearing the gospel and being formed [within our congregation] as disciples.’ He points out that Martin Luther himself instructed us to use times such as these to learn discipleship and to practice love.

Luther taught his followers to make much of each other’s faith and good works, rather than each other’s sin. During this time of pain, grief, and uncertainty, let’s all personally remember and remind one another to focus on making much of each other’s faith, to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2), and to speak to one another in a spirit of kindness and gentleness. This is good advice from Paul at the best of times, and even more so during times of hardship and confusion such as now. We also look to Luther’s explanation of the 8th Commandment that calls us to respect one another’s opinions and to consider them in the best possible light:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. What does this mean? We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.” (Luther’s Small Catechism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 1161)

It’s also important that we explore a point that is often uncomfortable and sensitive for many of us: some among us may feel that they need to withhold their tithes and offerings to indicate their displeasure with these resolutions. Before making that decision, though, please consider Bishop Wells’ questions in this area:

• Who will be helped and who will be hurt by your decision?
• What will be the impact to SOV’s ministries and to the rest of the ELCA’s ministries?
• Is this the outcome you intended?

He points out that no one probably intends to bring ELCA missionaries home from the field, or to cut the budget for SOV’s own worship, education, and outreach programs. “In the case where such decisions are made as a way to ‘punish’ the Church, it has to be said that this is an attack on the [entire] Body of Christ [rather than just directed at those with whom we disagree] and is directly contrary to the whole spirit and ministry of Jesus the reconciler. We have been declared one Body and [have] covenanted our lives together as the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12).” (Martin Wells, FAQ, October 2009)

All of that being said, we understand that everyone among us has different breaking points, and we recognize that some of you may be thinking of permanently removing yourselves from the SOV family. We respectfully ask, though, that you first be certain that you have fully acquainted yourselves with all of the information we have tried to make available, so that you truly understand what this summer’s decisions mean for us at SOV as well as for the entire ELCA. A list of helpful resources and of opportunities for discussion – past and future – is enclosed with this letter. The members of the Mutual Ministry Committee, the council, and the staff are also always willing to schedule time to chat in private with you, if you would find that helpful.

In closing, we particularly want to reassure everyone in the SOV family that nothing about SOV’s ministry has changed or will change without the congregation’s permission, and that nothing irrevocable or irreversible has happened even to the ELCA. We continue to revel in and share the gospel of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we continue to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, and we continue to confidently live in the Kingdom of God that is at hand.

In the spirit of Jesus’ love, reconciliation, and hope,

Shepherd of the Valley’s Council     Shepherd of the Valley’s Mutual Ministry Committee
Bill Martin                                                Carmen Baker
Warren Burda                                            Dana Miller
Janelle Conaway                                       Bob Parrish
Cindi Michalski                                         Liz Ridgway
Kristen Nate                                               Kris Van der Ploeg
Pat Stewart
Pastor Jim Grunow       

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12-15)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Shepherd of the Valley (past and present)

• SOV’s staff, Mutual Ministry Committee, and Council
• These entities have been participating in ongoing follow-up with persons expressing concern or distress.
• Each of these entities is happy to talk with you privately and can schedule time at your convenience. Please be assured that these conversations are entirely confidential.
• September 28, 2009: The SOV Council sent its “Initial Reflections/Responses” letter to members and friends of Shepherd of the Valley. They are inviting feedback on their statement.
• Studies of “Journey Together Faithfully”
• Fall/Winter 2004: 6-week Sunday adult forum on “Journey Together Faithfully: Part One”, led by Georgia and Jim Girvan. Approximately 20-25 folks attended.
• September 24 – November 5, 2009: Pr. Grunow is leading a women’s bible study using the document, “Journey together Faithfully: Part Two – The Church, the Bible, and Homosexuality,” as well as the social statement and the resolutions passed at the Assembly.
• November 1 – December 6, 2009: Georgia and Jim Girvan will lead a Sunday adult forum open to both women and men, using the document, “Journey together Faithfully Part Two – The Church, the Bible, and Homosexuality,” as well as the social statement and the resolutions passed at the Assembly.
• Pr. Grunow is willing to lead the same study again during a weekday evening for those not able to attend either of the above two options.
• Cluster conversations with Bishop Wells
• June 13, 2009: Discussion focused on the synod assembly and included a question and answer period; approximately 30-35 people attended, about 2/3 of whom were from SOV. The additional resources that Bishop Wells brought have been available in the narthex since then.
• September 12, 2009: 3 hour cluster conversation with Bishop Wells about the Churchwide assembly in August including 1.5 hours of question and answer; 65-70 people attended, about 1/2 of whom were from SOV.
• Since September 17, 2009: DVDs of the September cluster conversation with Bishop Wells have been provided to about 30 of SOV’s households and to each congregation in the Treasure Valley cluster.
• October 19 and 22, 2009, 1 p.m. and October 22 and 29, 2009, 7 p.m.: replays of the September cluster conversation with Bishop Wells, including question and answer time.
• More replays with Q&A sessions will be scheduled if desired.
• Materials available in the narthex
• Since April 2009: Copies of the proposed social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Promise” made available to SOV’s members and visitors.
• Since mid-June 2009: Resources that Bishop Wells provided after the first cluster conversation.
• Important informational documents about the Churchwide assembly, including the social statement, are available in the narthex.