I’ve been reading cozy mysteries set in Victorian England and that era’s impact on social conventions into the 1920s and 30s and beyond. There were very strict rules about who could talk to whom, what was to be said and left unsaid, with everyone carefully sorting out what was really being said.
Above all each person was expected to know their place and to act accordingly, even if those expectations were unjust and unfair.
We live in an era when many who were denied a voice are now finally beginning to be heard and more importantly listened to. Yet meaningful, productive conversations seem to be more and more elusive.
Even talking about the weather, a former polite way to chat when you weren’t certain what to talk about, can break into dispute about the climate crisis.
As a church we continue to learn the difficult and vital art of proper face-to-face conversations so that we can respond to today’s many challenges in the most thoughtful way possible.
The ELCIC has developed a Code of Conduct for Participants in Events Organized by the ELCIC that helps participants to treat all persons fairly and with respect, courtesy and dignity. Conversations at the upcoming Special Convention will be guided by it. It’s worth reviewing and can be found here:
https://elcic.app.box.com/s/pn24luwv6aqx4lwfh0hbw8yv08wxv3e6/file/1214780381045 .
Delegates to this Special Convention will explore ways for us to respond to such things as carbon neutrality, homophobia, racism and ableism as they review the many recommendations that they are being asked to approve.
It will take time to sort out how each level of the church, including each of us who are members of this church, find ways to act on the many recommendations. But we must try. In this way, we begin to see a bit more clearly the way that Jesus calls us to.
Kenn Ward
Editor
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