[ASAP] Bonhoeffer and loyalty to love.

[becca at thistlefarms.org]

On this advent morning I'm grateful for a group loyal to loving and living into our baptismal covenant.  One of the saddest aspects of the Bonhoeffer martyrdom was that they killed him after the war was over. It was already a forgone conclusion and yet they stilled executed this saint.  In some ways to me it's already over. The federal government has spoken the national church has spoken and almost all diocese have followed suit.  Love is winning and we can keep moving forward together. In the meantime I propose a four part strategy for 2016. 

1.  Continue to compile questions for the group at every visitation. Make sure each congregation has folks there to propose those questions and announce the Asap group. Shelly  from at David's asked me which questions to pose and I shared this list and hope she invites others from st David to join.  Part of the netting in early January should be to map out every visitation in 2016. 

2.  Have a goal of 1,000 members to this list serve by June of 2016.  That means churches announcing from pulpits to join and each of us  inviting our  friends and fellow parishioners.  

3.  A strategy for helping promote Ricks resolution and a format for further dialog. How do we get this passed and further the dialog?  

4.  Taking steps for all of us strategically  moving closer to the edge of the pastoral directive in positive and affirming ways for all people in our congregations without losing our ability to function as priests in this diocese. 

That's just a beginning outline for goals and hopes in this work within the diocese. I am grateful to be a part of the diocese and be a part of this group.  With all love and wishes for peace.  

In this season of advent let us remember that without loyalty to love, the institution holds little light.  

Becca.