Blog the First
By Jean Etsinger
I'm doing things kind of backwards. This is my first experience as a synod
assembly delegate and, in fact, my first time attending such an assembly -
of the Florida-Bahamas Synod or any other. However, I was present at the two
most recent Churchwide Assemblies - three years ago in Orlando and last
summer in Chicago.
At those national gatherings I was a volunteer - doing anything from handing
out tote bags to collecting dinner tickets to checking badges at the
entrance to the huge hall where plenary sessions were held. A big perk of
volunteering at Churchwide is that you get to sit in on the plenary
deliberations, provided that you aren't obligated to be doing something else
at the time.
And so I did sit in, immersing myself anonymously and unobtrusively in the
processes and procedures whereby the church semi-annually goes about
conducting its business. I listened for hours on end to the debates over
memorials, eagerly eyeballed the instantly tabulated votes projected onto
huge screens, took on the challenge of a steep learning curve and thoroughly
enjoyed the ride.
Another perk of volunteering at Churchwide was being able to participate in
the daily eucharistic worship - held after often-emotional debate in the
morning and before lunch followed by Bible study and more debate in the
afternoon. Here I was in my element. The "Chicago Folk Service" sits in my
piano bench, along with the "Liturgy of Joy" paperback that came out before
the setting was published in "This Far By Faith." I love all three settings
from "With One Voice." We Lutherans are blessed with a glorious array of
contemporary liturgical music, and we ignore too much of it - except at
gatherings such as Churchwide and Synod Assemblies.
Another bit of background that I bring to assembly is my work in 2004-05 as
Lutheran Disaster Response volunteer coordinator for hurricane relief and
recovery operations in Southwest Florida. I look forward to reconnecting
with folks I got to know in that regard.
My preconceived notions about the agenda of this Synod Assembly are few. My
only gut reaction so far is to the workshop scheduling. Having to choose
among seven or more options in a single time slot when I would really like
to attend at least three is frustrating. Especially for Session B, where one
"workshop" actually is the only hearing scheduled in the synod (so far) on
the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality.
Given that there are 65 synods in the ELCA and that most of them have their
assemblies around this time of year, it seems quite a coup that we have
Diane Jacobson, director of the new "Book of Faith" initiative adopted in
Chicago last summer, as keynote speaker.
One rumor heard by the herd is that meeting space is at a premium in the
assembly hotel (the Bishop's Dessert Reception at last report was booked "in
the area of" the ballroom). At last year's F-B Assembly, Presiding Bishop
Mark Hanson hosted an ice cream reception. Had I known that would be the
case, I just might have attended as an observer - and not only for the ice
cream.
"God's Work: Our Hands" is a theme that resonates with me, as does the
Biblical mandate to "do justice" advanced already in the Bishop's Lenten
Visitation programs. I'm reminded of the paintings of Jacob Lawrence, a
Harlem Renaissance artist whose work spanned six decades. He often
positioned a tiny toolbox somewhere in the background of his images. He
recognized that while intellectual capacity and physical capability are
essential, one also needs an implement, the extension of one's being, to get
the job done.
As the assembly opening approaches, I am looking forward to my first
experience within the synod organization as a delegate, a justice advocate
and a blogger. I assume there will be opportunity for online feedback to
what I write. In addition, please approach me in person or leave anonymous
notes to my attention at the front desk about anything I've said or that you'd
like me to address.