Supporting University Lutheran Chapel at the University of Minnesota

A Resolution of the Montana District Fall Pastors’ Conference Supporting University Lutheran Chapel at the University of Minnesota

WHEREAS, the Minnesota South District (MNS) Board of Directors (BOD) has recently taken actions and executed an agreement to sell the property on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, used for the past 62 years by University Lutheran Chapel (ULC); and

WHEREAS, the Joint Minnesota South / Minnesota North (MNN) Districts Pastors’ Conference (May 11, 2011, Brainerd, MN) had requested that the MNS BOD bring this entire matter before the MNS District in convention to deliberate and determine an appropriate course of action regarding the sale of the ULC property; and

WHEREAS, at the very time efforts were underway by the Synodical President, the MNN District President, and the MNS District President to discuss this matter with the MNS BOD, documents were executed and signed to sell the property; and

WHEREAS, while the MNS BOD acted by right in executing the documents to sell the building and property used by ULC, by appearance they did not seem to act in love and mercy toward their neighbor; and

WHEREAS, the decision to sell the University Lutheran Chapel by the MNS District BOD has resulted in tension, divisions, and a disruption to our life together across the Synod; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Montana District 2011 Fall Pastors Conference humbly express its sincere sadness at the outcomes of these actions of the MNS BOD; and be it further

RESOLVED, to urge that, if at all possible, the MNS BOD reverse or delay its recent decisions regarding ULC, so that the matter may be addressed by the MNS District Convention, and further communicate to the MNS and MNN Districts an explanation of their rationale, and offer a letter of apology to MNS and MNN Districts and ULC and her pastor; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the pastors of the Montana District convey to the congregation of University Lutheran Chapel and her pastor their spiritual support of prayers and physical support from the 2011 Montana Conference offering, so that through these our brothers and sisters in Christ at ULC might be encouraged and supported in their ongoing ministry and mission; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this resolution stand as an example for other Missouri Synod Lutherans to rally around the congregation of ULC, encouraging them to show our “mercy, witness, and life together” for brothers and sisters who have, by appearance, been abused and mistreated; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Montana District 2011 Fall Pastor’s Conference send this adopted resolution to the following individuals: The LCMS President; MNN District President; MNS District President; the Chairman of the MNS BOD; and the MNN and MSS Circuit Counselors.

Submitted by the Rev. Douglas Thompson, Park City, Montana
Adopted by the Conference in Great Falls, Montana, 13 October A+D 2011

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