The Network Letter
The Network Letter is published three times a year. Below is a list of the issues available in PDF format. To read these files you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
Advent 2009
We Understand Loyal Opposition
A meditation by Anita Hill
Suggestions for a Bittersweet Time
Herbert W Chilstrom, the first Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, offers perspective and suggestions for supporting the post-2009 Assembly ELCA.
Swinging Open the Unlocked Door: The Next Task for The Network
Cindy Witt reviews the early struggles of The Network and foresees tasks that lie ahead.
The Task Ahead: Making Inclusivity Visible
Carol Tomer urges that we find ways to demonstrate that the church is inclusive.
A Queer Lutheran Theology; Beyond Sexual and Gender Identity John Meulendyk describes queer as the place where words fail us
Summer 2009
The Spirit's Surprise
A meditation by Barbara Lundblad
From the Board of the Lutheran Network for Inclusive Vision
An appeal for support
Report to the Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly
Bishop Peter Rogness gives pastoral counsel to his synod on the Ministry Policies issue before ELCA this summer
The ELCA's Choices on Sexuality: An Opportunity for Generous Orthodoxy
H. Frederick Reisz, Jr. supports the Sexuality Statement and the Ministry Policy recommendations of the Task Force, with reservations.
That The Gospel May Be Proclaimed:
The Guiding Requirement for Lutheran Ministry
Javen Swanson derives the guiding qualification for ministry from the Lutheran Confessions: the ability to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments.
Lent 2009
God's Expansive Kingdom by Susan Beck
Recognizing the Conscience of Those Who Disagree: A Response to "Report and Recommendations on Ministry Policies" Albert R. Ahlstrom is struck by the Report's focus on the obligation to recognize "the conscience-bound nature of the convictions of others in the community of Christ"
"What Would You Say to the Members of the 2009 Churchwide As-sembly about Ordaining Pastors in Committed Same-Sex Unions?" Peter Bastien, Joanne Chadwick, and Keith Olstad give their answers to this question.
Well-Adjusted Tulips by R. Don Wright
Reading the Biblical Texts on Homosexuality in the Spirit of Christ David Weiss looks not just at the biblical texts on homosexuality, but at the spirit in which we read them.
Book Review: "To the Tune of a Welcoming God", by David Weiss Reviewer, Patricia Richter
Advent 2008
Fra Angelico's Take on Advent by William Wegener
Can the ELCA Leap into God’s Love for All? Audrey Mortensen believes the ELCA studies on sexuality are an opportunity to find joy in its homosexual members rather than fear them.
Shaming the Wise by R. Don Wright
Sexuality as an Ecumenical Issue Jeffrey Gros sees the sexual revolution as an issue facing all the churches and proposes an ecumenical council to deal with it.
Taking Sexuality Issues to an Ecumenical Forum: A Response to the Proposal of Jeffrey Gros Thomas Prinz sees hope for the churches’ response to changing sexual attitudes in an ecu-menical conference.
In Response to Jeffrey Gros and Thomas Prinz Martin Marty assesses the change in attitudes on homosexuality and sees benefits and some risk in an ecumenical conference on sexuality.
Summer 2008
Lightning is Reconciliation Nancy Eggert
Assessing the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality Christian Scharen compares the ethical bases of the ELCA Draft with the responses of Robert Benne and the LCNA.
The Trinity and Sexuality: Grounding Sex in God's Desire for Us. John F. Hoffmeyer considers sexuality in the light of the doctrine of the Trinity
Lent 2008
Lent as Wilderness A Lenten meditation by Patricia Richter
From the Slave Trade to Homophobia: The Trauma Behind African Intolerance Eileen Crawford traces the roots of African homophobia to the slave trade.
Hearts on Fire, 2008 LC/NA and RIC Gathering Phil Soucy previews the July Assembly at San Francisco State University.
Crossing Boundaries: The Ethics of Struggle in Mark, Paul, and the ELCA David.Balch compares our acceptance of gay pastors with Paul’s acceptance of Gentiles.
Advent 2007
Sadness, Patience, and Hope An Advent meditation by Jim Heinemeier
Letter from the Co-Presidents Carol Tomer and Barbara Lundblad
Straight Allies and the Next Two Years in the ELCA Carolyn Riehl considers the role of straight allies in changing ELCA LGBT policy.
Norwegian Church Accepts Partnered Gay Clergy Missing!
Calculating the Cost of ELCA's LGBT Policy Vicki Pedersen’s statistical analysis of the ministries lost by ELCA LGBT policy
Last Summer I was Born A poem by Lee Erickson
Summer 2007
Opinions Don't Equal God's Word A meditation by Barbara Lundblad
A Journal Entry on My Reactions to the Committee on Appeals Decisions Bradley Schmeling reacts to his removal from the ELCA clergy roster
Homophobia and Neo-Colonial Christianity in Zimbabwe Isabel Mukonyora traces the homophobia of church leaders in Zimbabwe to colonial missionaries
Winds of Change in South African Churches Peter Kjeseth assesses the current acceptance of gays and lesbians in South African churches
Lent 2007
The Schmeling Decision - What Now? by George Watson
Change Within a Generation: Gays in the Church and Society By Barbara E. Solt
Repentance, Fasting, Prayer and Works of Love - The Discipline of Lent By Pastor Richard H. Graham
Who is My Family? by Alan Sutherland
Texts and Meanings: Why Do Scholars Differ About the Meaning of Texts on Sexuality? by Arland J. Hultgren
Advent 2006
It's About Justice - and Calling and Stewarding by Charles P. Lutz
A Pastoral Letter on the Marriage Amendment By Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers
Evan Wolfson Says He Was Wrong By Evan Wolfson
Meditation for the First Sunday in Advent By Mary Albing
Book Review: Straight into Gay America By Elizabeth Malone
Missing Body Parts By Vicki Pedersen
Feed on Advent By George Evans
Summer 2006
The Gospel Unhindered A meditation by Mary Albing
Regarding and Disregarding Romans 1:18-27 David Frederickson on the cultural context of this passage
A Letter from Bishop Michael Pryse Support for a synod’s stand to affirm same-gender unions
A Letter from Pastor Bradley Schmeling An openly gay pastor faces discipline charges in Atlanta
Embracing All of God's People: The Inclusiveness of the Church William Schilling reflects on the true mission of the church
Lent 2006
Taking Our Ethics from the Bible: A discussion with Ralph W. Klein
Surprised by Grace in a Painful Task: Kevin Maly reflects on his experience as a Member of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality
Blasphemy or Just New? A meditation by Craig Endicott
Lepers in the Church? A Sermon on Mark 1:39-45, by Kevin Maly
Response to Robert Benne R. Don Wright responds to Robert Benne’s article “A House Divided Against Itself Will Not Stand”
Advent 2005
From the President Katherine Hellier reports the resignations of both herself and the treasurer, Arnold Keller.
Can We Just Move Ahead to Christmas This Year? A meditation by Bradley Schmeling.
Why We Left the Assembly Dancing and Singing Allison Guttu gives her reasons to hope for change in the ELCA
“It'll Happen, and Soon” Keith Hanson was encouraged by a veteran of the civil rights movement
Three Moods after Orlandotudies Report Albert Ahlstrom reacts to the Orlando CWA in Copeland's Three Mood
Ethics, Sin, and Same-Sex Couples Ethicist Diane Yeager argues that same-sex couples present no ethical issues
Summer 2005
From the President Katherine Hellier's Oregon Synod gives her hope for Orlando
What ELCA Votes Cannot Change A meditation by Phillip Gaines
Faithfulness Requires More Jeff Johnson objects to Church Council recommendations and calls for a vote on unrestricted admission of LGBT candidates to ministry
Taking Exception to Exceptions Barbara Lundblad sees the exception process of the Church Council as failing to “live together faithfully.”
Laws and Gospels? Reflections on the ELCASexuality Studies Report Robert Smith goes beyond Bible texts on homosexuality to Luther's understanding of Law and Gospel
Called Into Ministry, by Mary Albing, reviewed by Elizabeth Malone
Lent 2005
From the President Katherine Hellier sees no change, no risk, in Task Force recommendations
Renouncing Stone-Throwing A Lenten Meditation by Stephen Swanson
Yet Another Chance to be Lutheran: A Review of the ELCASexuality Studies Report Larry Rasmussen puts the report in the context of larger questions about sexuality, questions of order and authority, and the missed opportunity to be a reforming church
Looking Over Our Shoulders: The Gay Issue in Our Sister Churches Ordained ministers, from the Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches, describe the political status of gay unions and ordinations in their churches
El Paso Church Seeks a Welcoming Pastor
Advent 2004
From the President, Katherine Hellier
Love Me As I Am, The Image of God by Bob Holum
Same-Sex Marriage: Unhooking Civic and Church Authority Robert Tuttle separates the issues of civil same-sex marriage from a church blessing for gay unions.
Anticipating the 2005 Churchwide Assembly Former ELCAPresiding Bishop Herbert Chilstrom and former LCABishop Stanley E. Olson share their concerns and hopes for the 2005 ELCAChurchwide Assembly.
Required Celibacy, “The Teaching of Demons”: a Lutheran Perspective Roger Berner sees the prohibition of unions for gay pastors in the light of the Lutheran rejection of mandatory celibacy.
When Celibacy is a Spriritual Way of Life: A Letter from Father Bob Antonelli Father Bob Antonelli descibes the spriritual dimensions of his celibacy.
Summer 2004
From the President, Katherine Hellier
Tearing down the Wall by Roger Berner
Law, Gospel and Same-Sex Unions Laurie Jungling sees the highest purpose of God's law on sexuality to be supporting life-serving relationships, rather than physical traits of male and female, or even individual personal rights.
“ForAll the Saints” Stoles Have New Keepers
A Gap Between Lutheran Rhetoric and Reality? Questioning Lutheran Statements on Sex Martha Stortz reviews and critiques the statements on sexuality of the Lutheran churches that formed the ELCA.
Lent 2004
From the President, Katherine Hellier
Accomodation or Repentance? Completing the Welcome: A Journey of Faith by Philip Moeller describes his faith journey from a strong childhood trust through his decision to help his church family complete its welcome of him and all gay and lesbian members.
Episcopalians Confirm Gay Bishop: Their Undoing or Simply Change? by William Schilling sees this decision to confirm the consecration of a gay bishop as an example of Jesus’stance overagainst the religious authorities of his day.
Gather Us In
San Francisco Recognizes The Network
Who Are the Voting Members of Your Synod?
How to Be Guests at the Eucharist: Two Views of Communing in ELCA Churches David Weiss proposes “A Eucharistic Fast” to protest ELCApolicy on gays. The Network Board sees participation in the Eucharist without reservation as the key to change in the ELCA.