A new welcome

"We weren't going to succumb to some sort of triumphalism, that we had won somehow, because there's still a lot of work that needs to be done healing the church."

Joseph Haletky attends the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Haletky)

First Evangelical Lutheran Church is in the middle of Silicon Valley at the heart of the largely progressive Sierra Pacific Synod of the Lutheran Church.

Years ago, First Evangelical had voted to be a Reconciling in Christ congregation -- meaning it was open and welcoming to gay and lesbian members, and pastors.

This gave it a kind of "first-mover" status in town, and as Haletky says, the church drew new congregants who were looking for a church that was inclusive and focused on social justice.

Last year's vote was enthusiastically supported in this church, and, as Haletky says, it has given the congregation confidence to reclaim the words "evangelical" and "confessional" from conservative Christians.

Yet their joy is tinged with some sadness. Seven of the 206 churches in First Evangelical's Sierra Pacific Synod have left the ELCA. That's a small percentage, and fewer than in other parts of the country, but it's evidence of a major fissure that's opened underneath the ELCA.

"We weren't going to succumb to some sort of triumphalism, that we had won somehow," Haletky says, "because there's still a lot of work that needs to be done healing the church."

The vote brought to Haletky's mind a beloved pastor who had served the church back in the 1970's and 1980's. Well into his 40's, the pastor revealed to a few congregants that he was gay. Haletky says all the "little old Swedish ladies tried to marry him off to their nieces," while he kept his secret for fear of being defrocked and shunned.

Now pastors who were similarly closeted can come out and participate fully in the life of the church. This makes Haletky happy. He says that for First Evangelical, the vote "has been a plus all the way around."

"I've experienced renewed, reaffirmed freedom and hope in the church in the Spirit's movement. That hasn't, however, been without grief."

Jen Nagel is an "out" lesbian pastor who, prior to the vote, was allowed to serve her church by being "rostered" through a special process supported by the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.

"I've experienced renewed, reaffirmed freedom and hope in the church in the Spirit's movement.

"That hasn't however been without grief -- grief for the divisions and fears that seem so prevalent, and grief for the many, many colleagues and others who didn't get to see this day.

"Many left the denomination, some left the church, some died or committed suicide, some have simply become too weary. I've also, along with all the joy, gone through my own grieving over this long and sometimes painful journey."

"What we teach and proclaim matters. Indeed, it's a matter of life and death."

Barbara Lundblad, pastor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City (Photo courtesy of Barbara Lundblad)

Barbara Lundblad is a pastorat Union Theological Seminary in New York City and a partnered lesbian. She reflects on the impact of the vote.

"We have never had any intention of leaving. Personally, I feel more totally welcomed and affirmed as a partnered lesbian clergy woman. While that has always been true at Advent and at Union Theological Seminary where I teach, this affirmation is now true in the wider church. Gay and lesbian members of our congregation were thrilled with the decision and now feel more fully a part of the ELCA.

"One of our congregation's leaders and his partner will have their wedding at Advent Lutheran Church (in New York City) in December. I didn't realize how much of a weight it has been to be quite open about myself yet never removed from the clergy roster.

"My partner and I lived in the parsonage together when I was a pastor uptown; our son Sam was born during those years. Yet in wider church circles I was considered rather dangerous -- which always surprised me because I grew up in a Lutheran family in the Midwest and was always taught to be 'nice.'

"The ELCA decisions of last August have been truly freeing, gifts of grace and the outpouring of the Spirit. Members of the congregation I served for 16 years also rejoiced, as did members of Advent. The public witness has been very positive for GLBT people.

"Just today my dentist expressed her delight in hearing this good news last summer. (She grew up in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod but left long ago after her Sunday School teacher said her Jewish father would go to hell.) What we teach and proclaim matters. Indeed, it's a matter of life and death. If one young person hears this news and believes God accepts her or him that is enough of a reason for last year's vote."

"Being a pastor is truly her calling and it would be a shame to lose that talent."

Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer Pastor Mary Albing holds up her officially signed letter of call. (Photo courtesy of Jane Byrne, Minneapolis, MN)

Barb Price attends the Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer in Minneapolis, Minn. where Mary Albing, a lesbian, has served as pastor for seven years. She was only recently officially called to serve as pastor.

"Our church called an openly gay lesbian who was in a committed relationship in 2003.

"Our pulpit has been considered vacant since that time.

"For our church we are happy to finally complete this step for the official call. Other than that we expect really nothing to change.

"We are thrilled with the pastor that we have. Being a pastor is truly her calling and it would be a shame to lose that talent."

"I am still waiting after three and a half years for my first call as an ELCA pastor."

Chris Wogaman (right) and his friend, Pastor Jim Boline of St. Paul's Lutheran, Santa Monica, Calif. Wogaman preached at St. Paul's two days after the vote, but has yet to receive a call as pastor at an ELCA church. (Photo courtesy of Chris Wogaman)

Chris Wogaman is gay, and has been waiting for three years to be called to serve as a pastor at a church.The vote has opened up new possibilities for him, though opportunity has yet to knock. He attends Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

"In my congregation, the ELCA will be receiving our pastor onto the official ELCA roster next month from the roster of the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.

"This is a clear cause for celebration, because she is an excellent pastor who deserves recognition by the ELCA of her leadership.

"Personally, I am still waiting after three and a half years as an ELCA approved candidate for ordination for my first call as an ELCA pastor.

"I have yet to have even one interview for a church. This has chiefly been because I have been openly gay, although some blame the economy as well. Most of my seminary colleagues are now in churches as pastors. I still hope as well to become a pastor in the ELCA."