(no subject)
So when I last posted I was about to head to my Church's Synod. The weekend was pretty good. I was VERY disappointed by the lack of agency reps that were there this year. Usually we have a bunch of agency reps at the Conference sharing what they do and talking with people. I was looking forward to this so I could give out my resume to the literally 20 or so nonprofits that would be there. But this year they changed it all around and pretty much no one actually sent human beings. The ED for National Lutheran Services was a key speaker; and I tried to talk to her, but to no avail. She had to leave right after her speech; so as she was finishing I scooted over to the area she would be in. I had to lose sight of her for about five seconds to get to her and in that five second she totally disappeared. I looked in the parking lot; in the hall; and even in the bathroom. I think she is a witch and she just apparated away. Our synod voted to recommend accepting the new social statement. Which while not huge was good. The main thing is that in teaching about love/marriage/family it talked the emphasis away from Genesis man and woman to focus on finding a loving and mutually respective partnership/union. And, of course, it reiterates that we as a church welcome everyone to worship with us. We, unfortunately, did not pass any of the recommendations. We had three: one to allow churches to recognize (not bless exactly) same sex unions; one that basically said we respect each other and our differing opinions; and one that said we will allow ordained officials and other church rostered leaders to be involved in committed same sex relationships. We used a committee of the whole session (a session that temporarily suspends formal rules to allow for free flow of discussion) for a bit and had some straw polls. And there was actually majority in favor of passing rec number one. But unfortunately we have this stupid continuing resolution that limits resolution submittal to before 5pm the first day. So the only resolution we had was one that said let's accept them all which was voted down. By the time the straw poll came around it was just too late to write another resolution; motion to suspend the rules; and get it in. But next time maybe we can have that just has the first recommendation on it. So in the end there were some small steps made; but nothing really changed; at least not yet. The National Church Conference is in August, MAYBE (big maybe) they'll vote more liberally. Ug some of the people there were so freak'n bigoted in their anti-homosexual beliefs. We actually had one guy get up and give a speech about how the gays are child molesters and deviants and the like. Thankfully those extremists are few and far between if vocal. The one good thing is that most of our anti-homosexual members are Ok with granting equal civil rights; they just have issues with reconciling their religious beliefs with homosexual practices. So at least they aren't discriminating all the time :) There was this one ass that got up and gave this big speech about how he could trace his ancestry back to the 1600's in Germany and that they have been Lutherans since Luther himself, so he should know.... blab.. blab..blab... and that he would leave the church if we ever allowed homosexuals to be ordained. I say good riddance. There were also some really emotional testimonials from homosexual/bisexual members and/or members with homosexual friends and relatives. One young woman, who is in a program we have where young people with an interest in becoming ordained can take on sort of internships with churches so they can discern if God is calling them into the ministry, and who also happens to be a lesbian, gave a really moving speech. I have mad respect for her. I can’t imagine going to seminary and becoming ordained knowing that they church you love and work for does not support your lifestyle. It's choosing between your calling and having ability to share love with another person. It has got to be very hard on her.
Other than that same old same old. My garden is beset with weeds. I just couldn't keep up with them. But that hasn't stopped the veggies from also exploding. My zucchini and acorn squash plants have taken over most of the garden pretty much cutting off any chance my eggplants had; but that is OK. My dill and carrots are doing well; and so are the tomatoes. I have TOO MUCH lettuce; but it is nice to have fresh greens. I just wish it would stop raining. I have a bunch of zucchinis growing; but some are starting to rot because it is CONSTANTLY raining! Geeze!
I got another part time job tutoring a second grader on subtraction for $30/hr two hours a week. It doesn't start til the 29th; and I don't envision it taking more than 8 or 10 sessions; but we'll see. It will at least be some pocket money.
Still okaying for a full time job.... job searching SUCKS. I am going to focus in DC again. I want to stay here; but there just aren't a lot of opportunities; so I will look in the DC area for a change of pace. I just want a freak'n job!
Strategic planning is actually going amazingly well. I got about 20 people at the first meeting; and most (all except three) stayed for the whole meeting. It was a total 180 from what I expected. I just hope the momentum continues. Our second one is in two weeks. The pre-work for this one was more involved so that is a mark against attendance; but this session also gives an opportunity to express strengths and weaknesses and I know the complainers will want to be there for that one! Hopefully I will be presently surprised again.
Well that is all for now.....