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"Extraordinary" - usually we associate this word with something positive, with something of remarkable beauty or exceptional taste or flavor, an outstanding performance and so forth. But "extraordinary" also means something is out of the order of things, and that's usually not a good thing. Think of the "extraordinary" renditions in which through a highly irregular procedure outside of the law persons are transferred from one state or country to another, usually for the purpose of torture. And then we have an organization called "Extraordinary" Lutheran Ministries of which I am an enthusiastic supporter. And in this case I actually think both uses of the term "extraordinary" apply. On the one hand ELM is a really remarkable, exceptional and inspiring expression of Lutheranism; but on the other hand its existence points to the fact that something is "out of order". Extraordinary Lutheran Ministry exists because in the ELCA there is still no full inclusion of Gays and Lesbians. Hope is on the horizon…perhaps things will change this August with a vote in the Churchwide Assembly. But until we have a fully inclusive church I am committed to support ELM and I invite you to join me: This month ELM is the designated recipient of our 2nd Mile Giving Program.
Pastor Bea
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