Goodsoil at CWA2009

Goodsoil at Churchwide Assembly 2009

The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (CWA09) begins with an opening service of Holy Communion on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM and adjournment at 12:30 PM on Sunday, August 23. Goodsoil intends to have a presence during all parts of Churchwide. From graceful engagement with voting members during meals to a large, public worship service, Goodsoil intends to be involved with every aspect of the Assembly.

To see the ELCA’s information about the Churchwide assembly, visit the ELCA's official Churchwide Assembly 2009 site. This link will show you the ELCA schedule, as well as registration and housing information. We do not know exactly when the Social Statement on Human Sexuality or the Implementing Resolutions will be considered, but we believe that they will be presented in the latter part of the week.

Goodsoil has several activities planned during CWA09. They include:

Goodsoil Central: Goodsoil Central will serve as the center of Goodsoil activity during the assembly. Receptions, displays, pastoral care, morning and evening prayer, and an information desk will all be located in Goodsoil Central. We also plan to have an education room to serve as a center for delegate caucuses and legislative training.

Graceful Engagement:In all that we do, Goodsoil ’s approach reflects an attitude of “graceful engagement from within.” We have designed ways to work with voting members by meeting them where they are, sharing stories, and walking with them toward change. Graceful engagement includes prayer, storytelling, and one-on-one conversation. We need 200–300 volunteers for the week to do this work. Goodsoil intends to do graceful engagement every day of the Assembly during the morning plenary session, through worship, lunch, and the afternoon plenary session. All Goodsoil participants must be properly trained in graceful engagement.

Graceful Engagement Training: Trainings will be focused on public narrative storytelling, non-violence, and community organizing. Graceful engagement requires a peaceful, non-anxious presence and the ability to remain that way if the person being engaged becomes anxious or angry. Voting members will use these methods to prepare talking points during debate. Other participants will use graceful engagement at meals, meetings, and through personal contact between Goodsoil participants and voting members. Graceful Engagement training sessions will be held daily from Sunday, August 16 to Thursday, August 20.

Prayer Shawl Project: During the months leading up to CWA09, weavers from across the ELCA will knit, weave, and crochet shawls in support of the full inclusion of all people in the life of the church. These shawls will be made at synod assemblies, congregational gatherings, and elsewhere. They will be collected and brought to CWA09 and distributed to Goodsoil participants for use in graceful engagement.

Goodsoil Worship:On Wednesday, August 19 at 7:30 PM, Goodsoil Worship will be held at Central Lutheran Church, right across the street from the Convention Center. Expect more than 1,000 to be in attendance at this inclusive worship event. It will feature the Rev. Barbara Lundblad preaching. This event is free and open to the public. A second service will be held on Friday, August 21, at 9:15 pm in Goodsoil at the Convention Center featuring the music of Cantus and the percussion of Marc Anderson.

Shower of Stoles Display: A collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles representing the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in thirty-two denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of a LGBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson. The collection celebrates the gifts of LGBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The collection bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the Church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.

Resources: Resources will be distributed to voting members and visitors every morning during the Assembly. Resources will include devotions on the surprising ministry of Jesus to the outcast and stories of LGBT Lutherans, including youth and young adults, elders, pastors, and families.

Educational Events: We will hold educational events open to all voting members and visitors, offering a chance to meet LGBT pastors, families, and visit the Shower of Stoles Display.

Come to the Table: This pageant, written and directed by William Randall Beard, chronicles St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church’s 125-year commitment to being inclusive and welcoming. St. Paul-Reformation is an early adopter congregation. It was one of the first Lutheran churches in the United States to be racially integrated. It was the first Reconciling in Christ congregations, and one of the first congregations to call an openly-lesbian pastor. This event is free and open to the public.

Many of these events are happening every day, while there are a few special events. See the full schedule of events.

Sunday, August 16:
• Set up Goodsoil Central & Education Room
• Graceful Engagement Training
• Goodsoil Rally with Participants and Locals

Monday, August 17:
• Blessing of the Prayer Shawls
• Graceful Engagement Training
• Voting Member Meeting/Training
• Opening Worship with ELCA
• Graceful Engagement over dinner and Plenary Session
• Opening Reception

Tuesday, August 18:
• Distribution of Resources
• Goodsoil Singers in the Skyway
• Graceful Engagement Training
• Graceful engagement over plenary sessions, worship, lunch, and dinner
• Goodsoil Educational Event & Reception

Wednesday, August 19:
• Distribution of Resources
• Goodsoil Singers in the Skyway
• Graceful Engagement Training
• Graceful engagement over plenary sessions, worship, and lunch
• Goodsoil Worship & Reception at Central Lutheran Church (evening)

Thursday, August 20:
• Distribution of Resources
• Goodsoil Singers in the Skyway
• Graceful Engagement Training
• Graceful engagement over plenary sessions, worship, and lunch
• Come to the Table – Wingspan Play

Friday, August 21:
• Distribution of Resources
• Goodsoil Singers in the Skyway
• Graceful engagement over plenary sessions, worship, lunch, and ELCA Special Event

Saturday, August 22:
• Distribution of Resources
• Goodsoil Singers in the Skyway
• Graceful engagement over plenary sessions, worship, and lunch
• Goodsoil Celebration

Sunday, August 23:
• Distribution of Resources
• Goodsoil Singers in the Skyway
• Graceful Engagement over worship and plenary session
• Goodsoil Tear Down and Clean Up

Keep updated about Goodsoil and Churchwide Assembly 2009.

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