Dispatches from the assembly: Resolution concerning marriage equality approved

Readers,

I am reposting this resolution passed May 18 by voting members of the Southwestern Washington Synod assembly. An earlier version of the resolution posted here was an incorrect version of what was passed. Pictured above is the vote. Following the text are some quotations picked up from the debate. — Rachel Pritchett, communicator, 206-498-0920

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RESOLVED, that the Southwestern Washington Synod, meeting in Assembly:

1. Calls upon the bishop, staff, pastors and congregation members of the Southwestern Washington Synod to provide full support insofar as it is consistent with their conscience-bound beliefs to pastors and congregations where same-gender couples are married.

2. Calls upon congregations and members of this synod to welcome, care for, and support same-gender couples and their families and to advocate for their legal protection.

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Some quotations in the debate:

"For me it has to do with my kids." I'm the father of two gay children." — Rick Nelson of Stella Chapel of Longview

"We wanted to stand with them and provide full pastoral care for them." — the Rev. John Rosenberg of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia, on his congregation's decision in 2009 to become a reconciling church

"This feels like showing me the door." — the Rev. Kristi Kreamer of Christ Lutheran Church of Lakewood, saying she is struggling to remain in a synod where there is no room for an orthodox viewpoint