Mail Archive of the old Santa Clara Valley Lutheran Parish

I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren. (Thessalonians 5:27)
Subject: Your 2 cents worth, please
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 12:34:42 -0700
From: "Bea Chun" <pastorchun@cgslc.org>
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of pastorchun@cgslc.org designates 216.239.128.26 as permitted sender) client-ip=216.239.128.26;
From: "Bea Chun" <pastorchun@cgslc.org>
To: <scvlp@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Your 2 cents worth, please
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 12:34:42 -0700
Message-ID: <003a01c90f8e$728bd870$6600a8c0@CGSPASTOR>
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Dear Colleagues:

=20

If a couple comes to you to get married, and you learn that they are alread=
y
living together, do you ask them first to make new living arrangements and
to begin to live apart before you begin pre-marriage counseling?

=20

If so, how do you arrive at this decision?

if not, again, how do you arrive at this decision?

And what role does our Lutheran teaching play in such a decision making
process?

=20

This is just one of many questions that I have been pondering as I am
reflecting on the draft of for the ELCA =93Social Statement on Human
Sexuality=94.

=20

This draft was mailed out to all congregations earlier this year for review=
.
Have you read it? Do you even remember receiving it?

=20

To be honest, my copy had been lingering on my desk for the longest time.
Finally our council decided to organize a congregational study. Only two
people showed up!

=20

But now I have received a request from the synod office to host a hearing o=
f
this document. This hearing will take place on Thursday evening, Oct 2, 200=
7
at 7:00 p.m. here at Christ the Good Shepherd.  The request to host the
hearing prompted me to take a second look at this document, not only in
light of our congregation, but also in light our parish and other area
churches.

=20

So, finally, after this long introduction, (forgive me!) here are some
questions I have for you

*=09What information do you need for yourself and your congregation at
this point to come on board?
*=09How can the hearing be most meaningful for you? for your
congregation?
*=09How can we be of service to the wider church in this? I am asking
this especially, because I remember how Bishop Mark Hanson recently, at the
installation of Bishop Holmerud, said that he is looking to our synod for
leadership.

=20

Some background about this hearing, in case you want to know:

A hearing is a legally required step in the process of developing and
adopting a Social Statement of the ELCA. The Social Statement on Human
Sexuality is scheduled for adoption at the Churchwide Assembly of ELCA next
summer.

 (Other social statements currently in the making are a social statement on
genetics and a social statement on criminal justice).=20

It is expected that the people who come to this hearing are familiar with
the draft document.

The document is 48 pages long, and takes about 1 hr to 1 =BD  hr to read,
depending on the reader.=20

You can find the document by going to the following website directly:

http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements-in-Proc=
e
ss/JTF-Human-Sexuality/~/media/Files/What%20We%20Believe/Social%20Issues/In=
%
20Process/Human%20Sexuality/Draft%20Statement/draftstatement.ashx

=20

But I recommend starting out with the following website, because it gives
you a good overview of the whole process, how it started and where we are
headed.=20

http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements-in-Proc=
e
ss/JTF-Human-Sexuality.aspx

From this website you can easily open related websites including the draft
document.

=20

At this point I would be very grateful for any input from anyone.

Bea Chun,

Pastor

Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

1550 Meridian Ave

San Jose, CA 95125

408.266.8022

=20

=20

=20

=20

=20


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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>Dear Colleagues:</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>If a couple comes to you to get married, and you learn that they ar=
e
already living together, do you ask them first to make new living arrangeme=
nts
and to begin to live apart before you begin pre-marriage counseling?</span>=
</font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>If so, how do you arrive at this decision?</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>if not, again, how do you arrive at this decision?</span></font></p=
>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>And what role does our Lutheran teaching play in such a decision ma=
king
process?</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>This is just one of many questions that I have been pondering as I =
am
reflecting on the draft of for the ELCA &#8220;<b><span style=3D'font-weigh=
t:
bold'>Social Statement on Human Sexuality</span></b>&#8221;.</span></font><=
/p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>This draft was mailed out to all congregations earlier this year fo=
r
review. Have you read it? Do you even remember receiving it?</span></font><=
/p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>To be honest, my copy had been lingering on my desk for the longest
time. Finally our council decided to organize a congregational study. Only =
two
people showed up!</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>But now I have received a request from the synod office to host a
hearing of this document. This hearing will take place on <b><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Thursday evening, Oct 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. here =
at
Christ the Good Shepherd.</span></b> =A0The request to host the hearing pro=
mpted me
to take a second look at this document, not only in light of our congregati=
on,
but also in light our parish and other area churches.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><u><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>So, finally, after this long introduction, (forg=
ive me!)
here are some questions I have for you<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p>

<ul style=3D'margin-top:0in' type=3Ddisc>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3D3
     face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>What informa=
tion do
     you need for yourself and your congregation at this point to come on
     board?</span></font></li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3D3
     face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>How can the =
hearing
     be most meaningful for you? for your congregation?</span></font></li>
 <li class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3D3
     face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>How can we b=
e of
     service to the wider church in this? I am asking this especially, beca=
use
     I remember how Bishop Mark Hanson recently, at the installation of Bis=
hop
     Holmerud, said that he is looking to our synod for leadership.</span><=
/font></li>
</ul>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>=A0</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>Some background about this hearing, in case you want to know:</span=
></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>A hearing is a legally required step in the process of developing a=
nd
adopting a Social Statement of the ELCA. The Social Statement on Human
Sexuality is scheduled for adoption at the Churchwide Assembly of ELCA next
summer.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>=A0(Other social statements currently in the making are a social
statement on genetics and a social statement on criminal justice). </span><=
/font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>It is expected that the people who come to this hearing are familia=
r
with the draft document.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>The document is 48 pages long, and takes about 1 hr to 1 =BD =A0hr =
to read,
depending on the reader. </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>You can find the document by going to the following website directl=
y:</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements=
-in-Process/JTF-Human-Sexuality/~/media/Files/What%20We%20Believe/Social%20=
Issues/In%20Process/Human%20Sexuality/Draft%20Statement/draftstatement.ashx=
">http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements-in-Pr=
ocess/JTF-Human-Sexuality/~/media/Files/What%20We%20Believe/Social%20Issues=
/In%20Process/Human%20Sexuality/Draft%20Statement/draftstatement.ashx</a></=
span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>But I recommend starting out with the following website, because it
gives you a good overview of the whole process, how it started and where we=
 are
headed. </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements=
-in-Process/JTF-Human-Sexuality.aspx">http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/S=
ocial-Issues/Social-Statements-in-Process/JTF-Human-Sexuality.aspx</a></spa=
n></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>From this website you can easily open related websites including th=
e
draft document.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>At this point I would be very grateful for any input from anyone.</=
span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>Bea Chun,</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>Pastor</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>Christ the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Good</=
st1:PlaceName>
 <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Shepherd</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D=
"on">Lutheran</st1:PlaceName>
 <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></span></font=
></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:address w:st=3D"on"><font=
 size=3D3
  face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>1550 Meridian A=
ve</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font siz=
e=3D3
  face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>San Jose</span>=
</font></st1:City>,
 <st1:State w:st=3D"on">CA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st=3D"on">95125</s=
t1:PostalCode></st1:place></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'>408.266.8022</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D=
'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

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