Dear siblings in Christ,

The task force leading the ELCA in the reconsideration of one section of the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust is excited to share two important opportunities for you and your congregation to engage with this summer.

The task force is releasing a podcast called Learn and Discern as an educational tool for this church as we journey together through the reconsideration process.

The podcast’s episodes will explore the following topics:

• A history of the ELCA’s social teachings and ministry policy on human sexuality.

• The nuances of Lutheran theological ethics.

• A deeper look at the history of the Lutheran understanding of “the bound conscience.”

• The sources of agreement and disagreement on human sexuality in the church.

• Lutheran approaches to faithful conversation.

This five-episode podcast is a companion to the study “Conscience and Conversation” (described below). Individual episodes will be released in audio and video over the summer at elca.org/reconsiderations.

The task force has released a new study to foster conversation across this church and to generate feedback that will guide its work. The study, “Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” invites reflection on agreement and disagreement through “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3).

Session One looks at what unites us as ELCA Lutherans and explores ways Christians have disagreed faithfully while seeking unity in the Spirit.

Session Two invites deeper reflection on disagreements and agreements regarding sexuality.

Please prayerfully consider leading your congregation or small group in this study. There is a survey link for participants to share feedback with the task force. Your input is essential as the task force prepares a first draft of the reconsidered subsection of the social statement for the church to consider. The survey is open until Sept. 30.

We understand this is a short period for feedback during a busy time of year. Please know that feedback, comments and questions can be shared with the task force at any time by emailing [email protected]. In addition, there will be a longer period for public comment on the draft reconsidered social statement once it is released next year.

Download the study and podcast and learn more about the reconsideration process at ELCA.org/reconsiderations.

In Christ’s love,

Dr. Ryan Cumming

Rev. Dr. Laurie Jungling

Co-directors of the task force