Other Subjects that may arise

There always seem to be issues that come up at Synod Assemblies even though no formal resolutions have been prepared in advance. I have only attended one other Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly (2008 as a visitor). From that one experience it appears to me that this Synod is much less political then the Alaskan Synod. But there are other current issues that may come up, including:

1. Status of churches within the RMS that have chosen to leave the ELCA .
2. Recent Arizona immigration law. Although this seems to be a concern of the Grand Canyon Synod, I would not be surprised if a resolution denouncing their law comes up. I wonder how many of the RMS voting members have read the new law and are informed enough to denounce it? The ELCA Church Council approved a Social Policy Resolution on immigration at their November 2009 meeting. Its title is Toward Compassionate, Just, and Wise Immigration Reform. You may obtain a copy here. I have read the new ELCA position on immigration, and do not agree with parts of it, but from news reports of the Arizona law, it appears to be in conflict with the ELCA position. Approval of such resolutions does nothing to solve the problems, but just furthers our political brand as a good liberal citizen.
3. Genetics Social statement. This Social Statement will be voted on at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando. The first report from the Genetics task group was published on November 1, 2008 with comments due on November 1, 2009. The draft social statement was issued on March 18, 2010 and final comments are due by October 15, 2010. So the amount of time left for meaningful and timely input is limited. The controversial implications of this social statement could be greater than the recently approved Human Sexuality Social Statement.
4. BP's Deepwater Horizons oil spill. It's in the news and the ELCA seems to have opinions on how difficult situations should be managed. Maybe the church can offer some technical solutions.