A bit more focus

So if you were wondering what what was in that 5-inch binder filled a bit over its capacity with double-sided letter-size sheets, several examples of that kind of thing are available here. That's a list of highlights of what's going to be in the pre-assembly report for this year, and it's where I'm beginning my investigation.

For next Friday's regular post, I thought I'd dive right in to the statement on Bioethics, since it seems to be the highest profile bit of business before the Assembly to this observer (not saying I expect it to be the source of most contention). Before that I may post some half-baked notions I've been mulling over about social statements in general; I figure it would be better to compose them before looking at the material too deeply, that way if I'm repudiated by the facts it might be instructive to some readers.

After that, the Malaria statement looks superficially like a straightforward read, but in these next couple of weeks, I expect to be looking into the LIFT task force recommendations and especially the Communal Discernment Task Force recommendations if I can find them, as they could potentially be contentious and very difficult to assess. If anyone out there can provide me with some idea of what people are talking about with regard to these items, I'd be grateful.

I'm still a bit overwhelmed with the volume of material we're expected to evaluate. At the meeting of VMs for our synod, I asked if these items would be available electronically. The answer was a qualified yes: they would be available electronically, but at the last CWA (where the big sexuality statement decisions were made), laptops and other electronic devices were not permitted on the floor, in order to preempt any attempts at coordination by demonstrators. It remains to be seen whether they will be allowed this year; it would be nice, if we are to read and process that much information, that we at least wouldn't be required to carry it around in printed form all week.