April 26, 2010

Dear Members of La Casa de Cristo,

I am writing you with a mixture of emotions that are hard to put into words. The vote on the resolution at our congregational meeting, Sunday, April 25, was 364 in favor of leaving the ELCA, while, there were 69 in favor of staying with the ELCA.

Our constitution, and the ELCA constitution, requires that two-thirds of those present approve the resolution to leave the ELCA. The two thirds threshold was met with Sunday's vote, and the process to leave the ELCA has begun. To me, it is a loud affirmation that we as a congregation will be ending a relationship that has been part of our shared life since 1988, when the ELCA was formed. All your pastors and the board, as well as many of you, have a mixture of emotions; and this was not something done eagerly or gleefully by any of us. However, that sadness is coupled with the excitement of a new beginning and a rebirth that is totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit. God in Christ Jesus has guided us as a parish for thirty five years, and He will continue to guide us through the Holy Spirit into a bright future.

What happens now? The date of the congregational meeting for the second required vote has not yet been scheduled. By constitution, the second meeting will be a minimum of ninety days after the first vote, but can be held any time after the ninety days. During the summer the Board of Trustees will begin the process of looking at what needs to be prepared to move to the second vote and beyond, should the the second vote also be affirmative. Proper notice of the scheduling of the second required vote will be given by mail, the website, bulletins, and newsletter. We hope to have a date set sometime this summer. Our goal is to have the process completed by the end of 2010, so the second meeting will come sometime after ninety days, but before this end of the calendar year. Your pastors and board will keep you informed via newsletters and website as needed, but here are some helpful reminders.

• We will remain Christians who are Lutheran in theology and practice, and continue day to day ministry. The vote doesn't change anything in terms of daily ministry.
• We want to honor our Lord by growing as disciples, growing spiritually, and growing in outreach to the community and the world.
• we will continue to be charitable in all we do, speak well of all people, and honor the Lutheran traditions of faith alone, grace alone, scripture alone.

Please keep this process in your daily prayers as we move forward in faith.

Pastor Andrew Garman

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Christ Jesus. And this is true for everyone who believes,
no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
-Romans 3:22