R-5

 A Resolution for Unity in the Church

 WHEREAS, the youth leaders and representatives of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) organized as the Lutheran Youth Organization Board, feel a strong commitment to this church, wanting to maintain lasting relationships with the ELCA throughout our lives and desire to continue on our journey together; and

 WHEREAS, as young people baptized into the ELCA, we have spent our lives within this church, which is our home, valuing our Lutheran faith, valuing the work of the Lutheran church, and wanting to ensure the same for generations to come; and

 WHEREAS, Ephesians 4 states: ^“2Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other.   ³Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.   ⁴All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people.   ⁵We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.  ⁶There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us”; and

 WHEREAS, the Churchwide Constitution of the Lutheran Youth Organization of the ELCA states in 2.01.i: “The purpose of this organization is to exhibit the inclusive unity that is God’s will for the church”; and

 WHEREAS, the decisions made by the ELCA are guided by the Holy Spirit, and this calls for everyone to have faith in the guidance of the Spirit throughout this process leading up to, during, and after the Churchwide Assembly, and

 WHEREAS, the participants of the 2004-2005 Northern Illinois Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Board, individually have committed to living out this unity in our lives, congregations and synod; therefore be it 

RESOLVED, that the Northern Illinois Synod commit themselves to unity regardless of potentially divisive conversations and actions concerning the issue of sexuality in the church; and be it further

RESOLVED, that ELCA members and congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod maintain their commitment to work together as one body in the mission of Jesus Christ within the ELCA, regardless of actions taken during the 2005 Churchwide Assembly.

Submitted by Lutheran Youth Organization

Officers:                                   

Brittany Sheldon, President

Jessica Larson, Vice-president

Johanna Larsen, Secretary                                

Paul Sheldon, Member-at-large

Bethany Cottingham

Sarah Hoekstra

Andrew Hallquist

Scott Hughes               

Karlie Johnson            

Elizabeth McGuire

Tonya Peschel

Kevin Rogers

Keelia Shevlin

Adam Spencer

Sarah Walstorom-Helgrin

Contact Person: Peg Miller

Date Submitted: June 6, 2005

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Action of the Resolution Committee

Date of Action:  June 6, 2005

Action Taken:  Recommend the Resolution