Managed to sneak 15 minutes of internet/computer in the middle of the day, after lunch, though I want to go talk to people, so I’m not going to be long. I would like to draw your attention to two people whom the ELCA honored today: Ralston Deffenbaugh Jr, president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) and Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation. Both are stepping down from their positions this fall; I had never heard of either of them before today (you can see how much I knew about churchwide and global efforts before now), but what they have accomplished is amazing and their commendations are well deserved. I strongly recommend watching both of the videos of their speeches; Noko’s was especially moving, talking about the strength of the ELCA as a unified body and calling for our unity (but in much, much better language). I don’t think the assembly wanted to stop clapping after he spoke.
Off for afternoon plenary!
