Re: term limits, have we had a PB or Sec serve more than two terms?

#ELCACWA25

Thank you for your live-sharing of #ELCACWA25! Appreciated it so much.

Thanks, everyone! It was fun to watch and offer commentary throughout the week with other church nerds! #ELCACWA25

August 7-11 is a Monday-Friday. It will be interesting to hear what that means for the assembly. Do they intend to begin earlier on Monday and end Friday evening? Hold even longer plenary sessions? Just get less work done? #ELCACWA25

a cartoon drawing of a bird laying on top of a cloud Alt: a cartoon drawing of a bird laying on top of a cloud, sleeping with wings hanging down

(I know everyone was wondering about the snacks. Good snacks should not be wasted!)

The assembly has adjourned.

#ELCACWA25

2028 Churchwide Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa!!! #ELCACWA25

The 2028 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held August 7-11, 2028 in Des Moines, Iowa. That's a Monday-Friday. Interesting. #ELCACWA25 #ELCACWA28

The 2028 Churchwide Assembly will be in Des Moines, Iowa. August 7-11, 2028.

#ELCACWA25

And now Deacon Sue Rothmeyer's final assembly announcements as Secretary.

There are buses involved. So many buses. Some are leaving today and others tomorrow. Pray for safe, uneventful travel for everyone!

Leftover snacks will be shared with nearby Native American Urban Ministry.

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And, it's not over!

Treasurer Lori Fedyk returns to the mic for a point of personal privilege to apologize and report that she will continue to work with Dr. Kelly Conroy on a path forward.

#ELCACWA25

A Monarch butterfly, bright orange with black edges and veins, and white spots around the edges

I did not exactly set out to live-post (live-skeet? are we doing that?) all the plenaries of this Churchwide Assembly, and I did not exactly do it, either, because I skipped 1/2 of the first one.

But, here we are. I feel like I've been doing this for a month.

So, here's a butterfly.

#ELCACWA25

Found it! It's in Report 3 from Ref. and Counsel.

After a skim, it seems to be concerned about the potential for replacing human workers, but I don't see anything specifically about intellectual property.

It could still be read in, for example when there are calls to discern ethics. #ELCACWA25

I sneaked a peek ahead, and this goes all the way to Motion X.

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And, now we hear some really long "resolutions" to officially appreciate a lot of people who have done a ton of work. This is pretty much a formality, but it's a respectful and kind formality.

#ELCACWA25

The committee recommends referring to the office of the office of the presiding bishop and the relevant unit.

(I have gotten really behind while typing that out.)

And, the motion to refer passes (5 minutes ago), 584-15.

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-Encourages seminaries to work on the intersection of theology, ethics, computer science, and social justice
-Urges the ELCA to advocate for policies that protect workers, protect privacy, etc, and partner with global companions
-Requests a report from the Church Council at the 2028 CWA

#ELCACWA25

There is one resolution! There is not much time!

It's a resolution on AI in the church. It is long. We're only going to hear the resolved clauses, since that's what you vote on.

#ELCACWA25

A young adult points out that this would be helpful for young adults who, for example, might be students living away from their home congregation.

Another points out the ambiguity of "immediately adjacent".

And the question has been called! Debating debate!

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(It affects who can serve on "the Church Council, a committee of the churchwide organization, or a board of a separately incorporated ministry". #ELCACWA25)

Motion H REMOVES a requirement that members of Church Council must live in (or immediately next to) the territory of their congregation's synod. This is in bylaw 19.04.02.

(*You still have to be a member of a congregation in the ELCA.)

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Once again ELCA is ill prepared to deal with digital church. #ELCACWA25

Motion G is like Motion F! It adds this bylaw:
13.42.03. The Secretary may serve no more than two terms.

...but it has been withdrawn by the person who originally submitted it, and nobody objects, so it's gone!

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(Hello to the crocheter from the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, who is sitting in front of the camera we see while the vote is happening. It has be fun to watch your progress! #ELCACWA25)

Voting!

The motion fails, 102, 540.

We will not be adding term limits for presiding bishops.

#ELCACWA25

Term limits for Presiding Bishop fails .

Author of Secretary term limits reads the room and withdraws motion #ELCACWA25

There is some debate and some confusion.

The committee reports that they approved this one because they wanted to make sure the assembly had the opportunity to discuss it.

Bishop Riegel comes to the mic and starts "with all due respect..." and Bishop Eaton says "oh no!" 😂

#ELCACWA25

Good point about optics of voting term limits when we elect Black Presiding Bishop 👀👀👀

#ELCACWA25

Now we are working on motion F, which adds a BRAND NEW BYLAW! How exciting!

13.22.03. The Presiding Bishop may serve no more than two terms.

The recommendation of the committee is to approve.

#ELCACWA25

I used to be against bishop term limits because standing bishops have lost elections. But I’ve seen the damage of a bishop serving too long -bad for everyone #ELCACWA25

I recommend watching this part for yourself. Obviously some thought has gone into these speeches, and the speakers deserve to be heard in their own words.

#ELCACWA25