September 23, 2012

Sisters and Brothers,

At our Church Council meeting on September 18, last Tuesday, the Church Council considered a resolution to endorse Referendum 74, the measure on November’s ballot that would legalize marriage for same sex couples. After a lengthy and thoughtful discussion, the council majority voted to support the resolution.  This action was in contrast to previous actions of the Council regarding political issues and means Peace Lutheran’s name and logo will be used publicly.  We realize this decision is cause for celebration for some in our congregation and likely a source of pain for others.  We are writing to share the reasons for this deci­sion.

First, in 2008, after extensive conversation over many years, our congregation voted overwhelmingly to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation.  In making this decision we publicly pledged ourselves to be “agents of healing and safety” for those who have been marginalized in society; including people of all sexual orienta-tions and gender identities.  Marriage equality is an issue that deeply and profoundly affects Peace as a congregation and many of our brothers and sisters within our worship family.  We feel that the endorsement of Referendum 74 is a natural extension of our commitment to inclusivity as an RIC congregation.

Second, we endorsed Referendum 74 because we believe being Christians requires us at times to wade into the waters of tension and controversy as advocates of love and tolerance.  We are followers of Jesus Christ, who often took unpopular positions. Loving our neighbor is not an optional activity we can choose to engage in or not engage in. We endorsed Referendum 74 in support of current members, fellow worshipers and families who are Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) and in support of children who do not yet realize they are LGBT.  We want to communicate to them that they are supported as equals in Christ and that this congregation offers them the same welcome and supports the same civil liberties that all God’s children deserve.

Third, we endorsed Referendum 74 because there are other church bodies and leaders who have been and will be public in their opposition to the Marriage Equality Act, and without our voice the public would very likely interpret our silence as opposition. We stand with our Bishop, Chris Boerger, congre­gations of our Synod, and other communities of faith, who have gone public in their support for marriage equal­ity.

Finally, we endorsed Referendum 74 as those who have been elected by you to lead. Each council member ap­proached this question with great respect for the multiplicity of viewpoints reflected in our congregation. Our endorsement does not dictate a position to any individual member.  We encourage ongoing discussion about this important issue and have scheduled a second congregational forum for Wednesday evening, October 10, to learn more about the specifics of Referendum 74.

We seek your support and continued prayers and welcome your voice in discussions around this and other important issues of faith and conscience.

Sincerely in Christ,

Audrey Zemke, President                     Laura Bermes, Secretary

Copies of this letter, the council backed resolution, and a separate Pastoral Letter from Pastor Kindem have been mailed to all Peace households.