Goodsoil: Legislation Memorials

Legislation: 2009 Synod Assemblies

Round 3 - Update on Goodsoil Memorials - 4/1/09

The 2009 synod assembly year is expected to be our busiest in the history of the ELCA. We anticipate more synods than ever before will consider resolutions and memorials calling for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Synod memorials are the best way for advocates for full inclusion to ask the church to end its policies of discrimination.

While there are many thousands of full-inclusion advocates across the ELCA, only 1,000 ELCA members get to vote on the proposed Social Statement, implementing resolutions, and recommendations on ministers in a same-gender relationship. "Memorials" are the way to ensure that those 1,000 voting members hear your call for a more inclusive and just church. Don't let your voice be silenced.

Note: A "memorial" is a particular kind of resolution or motion. A memorial is like any other resolution except that it speaks to the churchwide assembly, rather than just the synod assembly. Therefore, if a synod assembly passes a memorial, that memorial is then sent on to the churchwide assembly to be considered there. The memorial only becomes policy when the churchwide assembly votes to accept it.

The Goodsoil Legislative Team has drafted updated template memorials to bring before synod assemblies. Updated guidelines about how to use the memorials are also available. Please read these guidelines as soon as possible. Talking points will also be developed—please let us know if you’d like to receive them by contacting the LC/NA office at admin@lcna.org.

If you are planning to submit legislation in your synod, please contact the LC/NA office at admin@lcna.org and let us know of your plans. We can offer further help and direct you to additional legislative contacts who can offer assistance in your synod.

Synod deadlines for submitting memorials are coming up SOON!

If you’ve never before worked on getting legislation passed in your synod, this will be a great year to start. Let us know you’d like to help by contacting the LC/NA office at admin@lcna.org.

Memorial Guidelines (Round 3)
Memorial Template Supporting Task Force (Round 3)

Keep updated about Goodsoil and Churchwide Assembly 2009.

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