Dear Friends in the MNO Synod,

Grace and peace to all! I must admit I have been resistant to creating a response to the situation in Eastern Synod in which a local pastor “ordained” a married gay man to be “pastor” in the congregation at Newmarket, ON.

My resistance to writing a letter is that ANY letters that are written by ELCIC bishops in regards to any issue around homosexuality are taken and “interpreted” by groups on each side of the issue. Interpretations and assumptions are often made without further personal dialogue with the bishop to create clarity. What makes this particularly destructive is that these assumptions and interpretations are taken as “gospel truth”, communicated “around the world” as such. There is a further assumption that the interpreter knows best on which side of the debate the bishop is on and therefore can clearly speak on behalf of the bishop.

Nevertheless, in spite of my resistance, I find it necessary to write this letter, since misinformation needs to be clarified, and since it is the role of the bishop to ensure the unity of the church. On this I will stand. I will also stand on the fact that I believe that through prayer, study of scripture and dialogue, the CHURCH shall discern what God is calling it to do around the issue of homosexuality. The purpose of this letter, then, is to inform the constituency (MNO Synod) of the events of May 16, 2008 at Newmarket, ON.

The congregation at Newmarket, ON chose to call an unendorsed candidate (gay married man) for pastoral ministry, against the advice of the Eastern Synod bishop. They were informed of the consequences of their decision- discipline by the synod- but still chose to go ahead with the call. When the pastoral call was received, the candidate asked for ordination in the ELCIC and the request was denied by ELCIC bishops. The called pastor of the congregation went ahead with an “ordination” for the unendorsed candidate, with the blessing of the congregation.

What I am reporting to you is that this is not an ordination in the ELCIC. The candidate is also not a pastor in the ELCIC as a result of this action. The ELCIC still maintains its decision that no self-declared homosexual will be ordained in the ELCIC.
Bishop Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod, will be reporting to their synod council in July, the discipline action that will be taken against the pastor and the congregation of Newmarket, ON for calling an unendorsed candidate for pastoral ministry in the ELCIC. The national and synodical bishops support Bishop Michael in his efforts to carefully discern the discipline process while at the same time maintaining a strong pastoral component to his interactions with the congregation at Newmarket and around the church.

At this time, I am asking all congregations and individuals to continue to uphold the ministry and structures/policies of our ELCIC. Please refrain from inflammatory statements and reactions that could hinder a peace filled and pastoral response within the church. If a congregation has need for response, do it within your communities of faith through an appropriate dialogue and discernment process and not through individual agendas. Discern in community what God is calling the church to do and be. In the spirit of community and unity, before making decisions about leaving the ELCIC, enter into a dialogue with the church, through the Bishop. Be sure of facts and do not rely on heresay or interpretations of actions and words.

I would be happy to meet with congregations who have concerns in this regard. I would be happy to have conversations with congregations that truly want dialogue. Thank you for the partnership we share as synod and congregations in the ELCIC.

Peace

Bishop Elaine Sauer