The bold parts of my post # 34 were taken from the Lutherlink posting by a staffer from the ELCA Department of Communications, which was a cut and paste from Assembly documents distributed and digitally available today. That's as official as I can get.
I'm right with you with the co-opting of the rainbow. When those who are unrepentent of their sin wave the rainbow as though to say "God promissed He wouldn't destroy us" it is indeed like waving a red flag at a bull, only it is like thumbing one's nose at Almighty God. Just read further in Genesis to find out how He dealt with the Sodomites--it wasn't a flood, but it was total destruction. Fools!
Solid Rock News
Monday August 8
The first plenary session of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly ended at 11:25 pm ET tonight. It had been scheduled to end at 9:00 pm but lengthy political maneuverings dealing with the Rules of Procedure resulted in some successes and some setbacks for both sides.
The folks in rainbow stoles were well organized, well scripted, and received significant assistance from two bishops, one of them being the presiding bishop. Much of the debate was seriously confusing, so much so that a vote was actually reconsidered right after it had been defeated! Without the assembly being aware of the ramifications of its votes, the opposition was successful in making it harder to offer substitute motions and amendments to the Church Council Recommendations. No matter. Two-thirds are still required for the passage of Recommendation Three. But the most important outcome of the evening was that a reaction to such political maneuverings became very apparent in the votes that were cast (no matter how they turned out parliamentarily). Time and again it became apparent by virtue of the percentage margins that the votes do not now exist to change the current policies on sexuality and ordination.
The vote on sexuality is scheduled for Friday morning. It will be a long week until then. Please be constant in prayer and trust the Holy Spirit to guide and direct the voting members through what promises to be a very trying assembly.
Rev. Roy A. Harrisville III Executive Director