ELCA NEWS - www.elca.org

Robert Schaefer elected bishop of ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod

2013-05-08T13:06:42

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Robert G. Schaefer, Venice, Fla., was elected May 4 to a six-year term as bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Schaefer was elected on the sixth ballot during the synod assembly May 2-4 in Orlando, Fla.

     “I am deeply grateful for the confidence that our assembly has placed in me in this call to serve as their bishop,” said Schaefer, who serves as lead pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran in Venice.

     “I pray for a fresh outpouring of God’s spirit on the entire Florida-Bahamas Synod as we walk together into this next chapter of sharing Christ, making disciples, and doing justice in a mission territory that continues to become more diverse in every aspect,” he said.

     Schaefer will be installed Aug. 31 at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz, Fla.

     Schaefer was elected on the sixth ballot with 319 votes to 170 votes for the Rev. Jack Palzer, senior pastor of Calvary Lutheran in Apollo Beach, Fla. The Rev. Dr. Rita Gardner Tweed, director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, was also a nominee on the fifth ballot with108 votes to 170 votes for Palzer and 243 votes for Schaefer.

     Schaefer was an executive for worship with the ELCA churchwide organization here from 2009 to 2011. He served as assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod from 2004 to 2009 and co-pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Tampa, Fla., from 1998 to 2004.

     He earned a degree in psychology and sociology from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., in 1979, and earned a master of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1984. The seminary is one of eight ELCA seminaries.

     Schaefer is married to the Rev. Jennifer Schaefer, who is a pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran in Venice. Together they have three adult children and one grandson.

     Information about the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod is available at http://www.fbsynod.com.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

Rodger Prois elected bishop of ELCA Western Iowa Synod

2013-05-02T17:00:49

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Rodger C. Prois, Storm Lake, Iowa, was elected April 27 to a six-year term as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Prois was elected on the fifth ballot during the synod assembly April 26-28 in Sioux City, Iowa.

     Prois serves as interim pastor at St. Mark Lutheran in Sioux City, Iowa, and New Life Lutheran in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. He will be installed as bishop Sept. 1 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa.

     Prois was elected on the fifth ballot with160 votes to 153 votes for the Rev. Peter Soli, director of evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Western Iowa Synod. The Rev. Michael Kroona, pastor of Trinity Lutheran in Webster City, Iowa, was also a nominee on the fourth ballot with 64 votes to 98 votes for Soli and 109 votes for Prois.

     Prois was director for evangelical mission in the ELCA Western Iowa Synod from 2009 to 2012 and associate director for ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal from 2006 to 2009. He was pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., from 2003 to 2006.

      Prois attended Brown College in Minneapolis, and he studied under a fellowship at the Alternate Media Center of New York University. Following his studies, he began a career in the financial services industry. Prois attended Luther Northwestern Seminary (now Luther Seminary) in St. Paul, Minn., where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1993. Luther is one of eight ELCA seminaries.

     Prois’ first call was as mission developer at New Promise Lutheran in St. George, Utah. He went on to serve as a redeveloping pastor for Living Hope Lutheran in Chaska, Minn., and lead pastor at Atonement Lutheran in St. Cloud, Minn.

     Prois and his wife Christine have two adult children and will become grandparents in July.

     Information about the ELCA Western Iowa Synod, based in Storm Lake, is available at http://www.wisynod.org.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA observes World Malaria Day with special campaign appeal

2013-04-25T14:18:40

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In observance of World Malaria Day April 25, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is emphasizing its commitment to help bring an end to malaria-related deaths with a week-long effort to raise $250,000 for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. The money raised April 22-29 will help spur the ELCA’s anti-malaria efforts in Uganda, where the disease is the leading cause of death among children under the age of 5.

     “Gifts given to the ELCA Malaria Campaign this week will be designated for malaria programming in Uganda, where malaria is a growing and urgent problem,” said Jessica Nipp Hacker, ELCA Malaria Campaign coordinator.

      “In the district of Katakwi, Uganda, malaria is the number one killer of young children. The Lutheran World Federation’s malaria program, supported by (these) gifts to the ELCA Malaria Campaign, will impact 42,000 people in Katakwi,” she said. The ELCA is the federation’s only member church from the United States.

      Through the campaign, rolled out by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly, ELCA members have committed to raise $15 million by 2015 to help Lutheran churches in Africa in their efforts to prevent and treat malaria and to educate communities about the disease. To date the campaign has raised $7.2 million.

     Although malaria is preventable and treatable, every year more than 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa become infected with the disease and more than 600,000 people die, many of these children under the age of 5.

      In March, a group of ELCA members from across the country traveled to southern Africa to visit Lutheran companion churches and to see firsthand the impact their donations have made to help contain the deadly disease. Working with 11 churches in Africa, the campaign provides for the distribution of mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more.

      “This ministry is very important to me as a member of the ELCA,” said trip participant the Rev. Steve Herder, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

      “The Lutheran leaders in the (African) countries we visited are doing amazing work in education, prevention, treatment, capacity-building and promoting sustainability. Our ELCA leaders taught us about the mission model of accompaniment, and how we are walking together with our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world. Much progress is being made in the fight against malaria, yet there is still much to do,” he said.

     “World Malaria Day is a wonderful opportunity for people all around the world to come together to commemorate the lives that have been lost due to malaria, to celebrate the global progress that has been made in controlling malaria and to renew our commitment to making malaria history. The ELCA is proud to be one of many active partners in the global movement to prevent and treat malaria,” said Nipp Hacker.

     More information about the ELCA Malaria Campaign is available at www.ELCA.org/MalariaDay.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA leaders advocate for immigration reform in support of families

2013-04-23T16:52:40

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) continues to advocate for comprehensive federal immigration reform as the Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings on legislation that calls for reform. A bipartisan group of senators introduced a reform bill April 17.

     In anticipation of the Senate’s bill, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service sponsored a leadership summit April 14-16 that brought together 40 Lutheran leaders from across the country to Capitol Hill to support the new legislation.

     “I’m proud that Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service could convene so many skilled and respected leaders at such a critical time at this year’s Lutheran Immigration Leadership Summit, as the Senate rolls out history-making immigration legislation. There’s never been a more important time for us, as Lutherans and Americans, to make our voices heard,” said Linda Hartke, president and CEO of the service.

     Based in Baltimore, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of the nation's leaders in welcoming and advocating for refugees and immigrants and works on behalf of the ELCA.

     ELCA Vice President Carlos E. Peña attended the summit and said the event provided him with a better understanding of the “moral, political and economic crisis our current immigration laws have created in our country.”

     “As a member of the summit, I was able to personally express my concerns to our elected leaders on Capitol Hill and was encouraged by the time and attention these (congressional) leaders gave all of us,” said Peña. “The summit allowed us to advocate for an immigration law that would include a roadmap to legal status and eventual citizenship and a law that would keep families together.”

     The ELCA supports comprehensive immigration reform that upholds family unity, respects the God-given dignity of every person and establishes a clear pathway to legal status and citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly approved resolutions designed to advocate for comprehensive federal immigration reform and support of the DREAM Act -- legislation that would provide a path for citizenship for undocumented immigrant youth -- in partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

     “God calls us to love our neighbor. It is through this biblical call that we must be hospitable and embrace and welcome those who are aspiring to become new Americans. As a second-generation citizen, I have strong feelings in assuring that future generations are afforded the same welcome my grandparents received,” said Peña.

     The Rev. Gerald L. Mansholt, bishop of the ELCA Central States Synod and a member of the ELCA Conference of Bishops’ Immigration Ready Bench, also attended the summit and met with congressional leaders. He said both Republicans and Democrats recognize that “we have a broken and totally inadequate immigration system, one that causes immense pain and frustration in the lives of people.”

     “We are at an opportune time for this country to adopt a bipartisan bill on comprehensive immigration reform, and I am encouraged and cautiously optimistic by what we heard in our visits with members of Congress and their staff,” Mansholt said in an interview. “We have 11 million people who aspire to be citizens of this land. We are an immigrant country, an immigrant church, and we welcome with open arms those who work and contribute to our neighborhoods and communities.”

     Kathryn M. Lohre, ELCA director for ecumenical and inter-religious relations and president of the National Council of Churches, was invited to the White House in March to meet with President Obama and religious leaders to discuss the role that faith communities can play in moving immigration reform forward.

      Lohre said that Obama told the group that passing immigration reform legislation remains his top priority, and he encouraged the represented faith communities to share in his commitment.

     “This is the kairos moment for compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. The churches are uniquely called to make the moral case -- to educate, inspire and galvanize the people in our pews to put pressure on our elected leaders, and to continue the ministry we have inherited from Jesus Christ of welcoming the stranger in our midst,” Lohre said in an interview.

     In a follow-up letter to Obama, Lohre said she told the president that communities of faith continue to pray for him and his leadership on this issue and also “for and with all those children of God whose lives hang in the balance until the broken system is repaired and restored.”

      “For us as Christians, we lift up first and foremost the need to protect the unity of families -- as a cornerstone of Biblical life, and as an American value,” Lohre continued in the letter. “We strongly believe that family preference categories must be retained at adequate levels, and that families must be able to reunite within a reasonable period of time. We also believe that a delicate balance must be struck between family-based and employment-based visas, so that the latter does not come at the expense of the former.”

     Many of the ELCA’s 10,000 congregations provide critical services to migrant populations, spread the word of welcome and advocate for fair and humane immigration reform.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA leaders urge Obama to pursue diplomatic solutions in Syria

2013-04-17T22:23:01

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an April 12 letter to President Obama, leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) urged the administration and others in the international community to find new avenues toward peace in Syria and strive to resolve the civil war there through diplomacy.

      In their letter, the ELCA presiding bishop and four synod bishops offered their appreciation for Obama’s chosen “path of restraint,” particularly as the bishops have heard louder calls in recent weeks “for the United States to provide lethal military assistance to the Syrian opposition,” they wrote.

     “The volatility of the conflict in Syria continues to lead to violence, suffering, death and people fleeing for safety,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, in an interview.

      “Acknowledging the conflict's complexity should not cause us to silence our voices or refrain from acts of compassion,” said Hanson. “The letter to President Obama calls for restraint in actions by the United States that could escalate the violence and for renewed efforts to find a resolution that will become a foundation for a lasting peace and a Syrian society that experiences justice and reconciliation.”

      Hanson said that through the ELCA’s partnership with The Lutheran World Federation, this church “is aiding Syrian refugees who have fled to Jordan.”

      The ELCA continues to participate in humanitarian assistance in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, along with other Lutheran companion churches and partner organizations. According to the United Nations, more than 70,000 people have been killed during the two-year civil war in Syria.

       “We are steadfast in our support of immediate and unhindered access to assistance by all available means for victims of this war,” the bishops wrote in their letter.

      “For more than two years we have watched with growing concern and great sadness the horrible violence that has had such terrible consequences for the people of Syria. This unfolding tragedy and its tremendous human cost have gripped our attention,” the letter states. “We are especially but not exclusively mindful of the suffering experienced by Christian communities in Syria. As Paul wrote to the Christian churches in Corinth, ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.’”

     In their letter, the bishops asked the administration and the international community to give top priority to discovering ways to end the fighting.

      “Our church recognizes that wars present conflicting moral claims and agonizing decisions,” they wrote. “Therefore, we understand that our elected officials face difficult decisions about how to bring an end to wars once they have begun.”

      The signees are the Rev. Murray D. Finck, bishop of the ELCA Pacifica Synod; the Rev. Gerald L. Mansholt, bishop of the ELCA Central States Synod; the Rev. Dean W. Nelson, bishop of the ELCA Southwest California Synod; and the Rev. Harold L. Usgaard, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Minnesota Synod.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA synod council makes decisions on key leadership positions

2013-04-17T19:53:01

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The council of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met April 16 to make decisions and recommendations, in consultation with ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, regarding key synod leadership positions.

     In an April 17 letter to members of the synod Eric Peterson, chair of the synod’s council and synod vice president, first expressed gratitude “for the tremendous outpouring of prayers” for Maureen Mengelt’s family, the Rev. Bruce H. Burnside, bishop of the synod, and his family, synod leadership, pastors, members and congregations.

      Mengelt died April 7 when she was struck by Burnside’s vehicle. Burnside was arrested and charged with “vehicular homicide while intoxicated.” He was released April 11 on bond and entered an inpatient treatment facility.

     In the letter, Peterson shared the synod council’s decisions and recommendations based on the synod’s constitution and bylaws. The council:

+ Accepted “the determination of the Executive Committee, which concurred with Bishop Burnside, that he is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office of bishop for the duration of his term, which concludes June 30.” Burnside was elected to serve a six-year term in May 2007.

+ Authorized “the Executive Committee, in consultation with the presiding bishop, to consider pastors for interim bishop, and to bring a recommendation of a pastor to serve the synod as interim bishop to the Synod Council as soon as reasonably possible.”

      After prayerful deliberation and conversation, Peterson wrote, the council also recommended postponing the election for synod bishop at the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin’s Assembly May 4-5 “to a later date in 2013 at a time and location to be determined by the Synod Council.”

      The council further recommended that the time instead be used to “facilitate conversation about what we are experiencing now as a synod, and about what God is calling this synod to with regard to its mission and ministry in the future,” wrote Peterson. The recommendation to postpone the synod bishop election will come before the Synod Assembly on May 4.

      “In the upcoming days, the Synod Council, synod staff, the Synod Assembly Planning Team and many others will be working diligently to make preparations for the implementation of these recommendations. More information about the changes suggested for the May 4-5 Synod Assembly and about plans for the postponed bishop’s election and process will be shared in the coming days,” he wrote, adding that members of the synod remain “patient as many people are working on the multiple facets of these decisions and recommendations.”

      “Your Synod Council is focused on faithfully fulfilling its responsibility to the mission and ministry of this synod, so that together we can continue to bear witness to God’s love for the world,” wrote Peterson.

      The text of the letter is available at http://www.scsw-ELCA.org/PR_4-17-13.aspx.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA offers worship resources in response to Boston Marathon bombings

2013-04-16T17:14:34

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has made available prayer and worship resources in response to the April 15 explosions during the Boston Marathon. The resources are at http://www.ELCA.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx.

     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, offered the following prayer:

      “Oh God, in Jesus name we renounce the forces of evil and the disruptive power of violence. With all those who suffer, we cry out for mercy and healing, by your spirit join us together into one community of compassion and courage. Do not let fear hold us captive. Give us faith to trust your promise that nothing in all creation will separate us from your love in Christ Jesus. For all who care for the wounded, we give thanks and pray that you will give them strength. For all who mourn, give the comfort of your peace. In the name of the risen Christ we pray, amen.”

     The ELCA New England Synod, based in Worcester, Mass., is a member of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, which offered a statement in response to the bombing in Boston. The statement is available at http://masscouncilofchurches.wordpress.com/.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA concludes its earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti

2013-04-15T17:09:01

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has concluded its relief and recovery efforts in Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake - the most powerful to strike Haiti in more than 200 years.

     Nearly 250,000 people were killed, 300,000 injured and more than 1 million people were left homeless as a result of the earthquake. Through Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA members responded by donating more than $12.5 million dollars to support relief efforts, which were conducted in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Haiti and The Lutheran World Federation.

     According to the Rev. Raquel Rodriguez, director for the ELCA Latin American and Caribbean Continental desk, ELCA members “can see the fruits of their generosity.”

     Funds provided by ELCA members supported immediate and long-term recovery that rebuilt communities, and restored and sustained lives.

     In Gressier, located near the Haitian capital of Port au Prince, new community centers were built to provide space for training and education projects established by the Lutheran Church in Haiti. These projects include vocational training to teach workers how to build homes that are stronger and more disaster-resistant and a Montessori-based primary school.

     In addition to these projects, there are income-generating endeavors such as a dairy that sells yogurt processed from locally-produced milk, guest house facilities for visitors to the church and a factory that creates and sells vibrated cement blocks. These sturdy blocks were used for the construction of each of these facilities and other rebuilding efforts.

      The Lutheran Church in Haiti anticipates that these projects will generate income “not only for people in this community, but also for the church. Part of the income (to be) generated will come back to the church for mission and evangelism. So, it is really important to celebrate all the things that have been enabled by the funds that ELCA members have provided,” said Rodriguez.

     ELCA funds sent to Lutheran World Federation supported the federation’s construction of a newly created community called The Gressier Model Village with 150 homes and a community center -- all built to resist earthquakes and hurricane-force winds and rain. Families started moving into the village this spring. Dr. Carl Stecker, ELCA director for global diakonia, attended the February 2013 dedication ceremony and toured the community.

     “A lot of the rhetoric [talk] immediately after the earthquake by former Presidents Clinton and Bush and others in the international community was ‘let’s build Haiti back better’ and this was a way we as the Lutheran church have responded with our partners in the Lutheran World Federation,” said Stecker.

     The ELCA’s long-term relief providing housing, education and life-skills training “is a very affirmative way of accompanying the people in Haiti. Not only in the immediate (aftermath), but in a way that will have long-lasting effects,” said Rodriguez.

     In the midst of the recovery efforts, disaster funds were also provided to help contain an outbreak of cholera. The church responded to the epidemic by establishing programs to teach Haitians about the causes of cholera and ways to prevent the spread of the disease. The program continues through a grant from ELCA World Hunger.

      The ELCA is a member of The Lutheran World Federation, a global communion of 143 member churches in 79 countries worldwide, and is the communion’s only member church from the United States. The Lutheran Church in Haiti is pursuing membership in the federation.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA council authorizes advisory council on theological education

2013-04-12T14:03:12

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Acknowledging a climate of new institutional mergers and collaborations between seminaries and universities, new technologies and degree program designs, economic challenges facing students and educational providers, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) authorized the formation of an advisory council to address in a holistic way issues on theological education, leadership development, candidacy, call and rostered leaders.

      The council’s action opens a path for renewal of the ELCA’s theological education networks, including a revitalization of work across this church in identifying and preparing women and men “to be formed as servant leaders” now and into the future.

     According to the Rev. Jonathan P. Strandjord, director for seminaries at ELCA churchwide ministries, it is critical that this renewal happens in the next few years as the ELCA enters a period of a “retirement tsunami.” About “40 percent of the roster will retire in the next 10 years,” he told the council.

      “Our work in identifying and preparing new rostered leaders over the next several years is crucial and will have a major impact for many to come,” said Strandjord. Another “thing that really matters, at least as much, is whether we can step up the biblical fluency of our lay leaders in these next years.”

     In its action, the council authorized the Theological Education Advisory Council to:

+ gather board chairs and presidents of ELCA seminaries, ELCA colleges and universities with embedded seminaries, a synod bishop from each seminary board and others to share counsel on priorities and strategic plans, current and new collaboration initiatives and degree program design innovations, and to examine implications for ELCA leadership identification and preparation systems.

+ provide periodic progress reports from the advisory council with updates on new developments in the theological education network to the ELCA Conference of Bishops and the Church Council with a final comprehensive report and possible recommendations to the Church Council by fall 2015 for possible consideration at the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

     Speaking to the council about theological education in his report as ELCA presiding bishop, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson asked, “How are we preparing leaders that reflect the face of the church we are committed to become? That takes intentionality, especially when it comes to diversity.”

     Hanson told the council that there are “lively conversations taking place regarding what the marks of missional leadership are and how we prepare evangelical leaders who will serve the gospel and God’s mission in a rapidly changing, increasingly connected and richly pluralistic context.”

     In a separate action, the council endorsed in concept a proposed merger between California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif. There are eight ELCA seminaries and 26 ELCA colleges and universities.

      The council also elected members to serve on the board of directors for The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbia, Ohio, and to the advisory council of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., as part of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C. -- these two institutions merged in 2012. With the merger, Lenoir-Rhyne established a school of theology that will include Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. The seminary retains its own name and identity while integrating with the larger university system.

      In the past several years, staffs of ELCA seminaries have been working with one another and with other partners to organize their educational administrative work in ways that advance a strong, wide-reaching, sustainable theological education network that meets the leadership needs of a “church in mission.” In this work, ELCA colleges and universities have emerged as particularly important partners.

      In his report to the council, Hanson said that a meeting of ELCA college and university presidents in February “led to two working groups developing proposals for strengthening how there can be greater cooperation between schools and their leaders, including the development of a statement regarding what it means to be an ELCA college or university.” Hanson said he also met with ELCA seminary presidents and other colleagues for an “open and honest conversation about the challenges each school is facing and new opportunities each is exploring,” as well as garnering feedback for a Theological Education Advisory Council.

     In other business, the council:

+ requested a review and further discussion on renewing “Book of Faith” -- an initiative that encourages ELCA members, congregations and synods to become “fluent in the language of faith” and Scripture. The ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission unit, in consultation with Augsburg Fortress Publishers, has been directed by the council to provide a report and possible recommendations to the Church Council and for presentation to the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this summer.

+ recommended that voting members of the 2013 assembly adopt the text and implementing resolutions of the proposed social statement, “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries.”

+ recommended that the 2013 assembly approve a 25th anniversary campaign for the ELCA as a major fundraising effort to support congregations, leadership, relief and development and global mission. To prepare for and support the campaign, the council designated $5 million from its reserve funds.

+ requested that the Office of the Presiding Bishop, in consultation with the Office of the Secretary and the Conference of Bishops, facilitate implementation of the Addressing Social Concerns Review Task Force’s recommendations to foster moral deliberation, to increase involvement in the deliberative processes of this church, and to expand the use of ELCA social teaching.

+ affirmed the work of the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice and granted the task force’s request to extend the time for the consideration of a social statement on women and justice until the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

+ approved a revised current fund spending authorization for fiscal year 2013 of $70,731,675. The council also recommended that the 2013 assembly adopt a 2014 current income proposal and an ELCA World Hunger income proposal of $19 million for 2014.

+ endorsed the ELCA World Hunger Steering Committee proposal to revise fundraising guidelines.

+ received revisions to 2013 and 2014 synod Mission Support plans.

+ requested funding for staff to guide the ELCA in observing the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

+ affirmed in concept the draft “ELCA Philosophy of Benefits” and the proposed health care plan design options and pricing alternatives as presented to the council by Portico Benefit Services representatives. The council requested final versions for the August 2013 Church Council meeting.

+ approved and adopted amendments to the Constitution of Lutheran Medical Center and approved and adopted the amended Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Lutheran Medical Center -- a not-for-profit, New York-based social ministry organization of the ELCA.

     The council designated New Orleans as the site of the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA synod continues prayer for Mengelt family, announces acting bishop

2013-04-11T17:01:48

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) sent a letter April 11 to pastors, members and congregations of the synod with continued expressions of sorrow and sympathy for the family of Maureen Mengelt, who died April 7 when she was struck by the vehicle of the Rev. Bruce H. Burnside, bishop of the synod, who was arrested and charged with “vehicular homicide while intoxicated.”

     “We pray that God will comfort the Mengelt family -- especially Maureen’s husband, Kevin, and her children, Megan, Andrew and Allyson -- and surround them with peace and grace. We ask for prayers for all those (grieving) the death of one of God's dear children. Our sadness for the untimely death of Maureen Mengelt is too great to be adequately expressed,” stated the letter.

     “Throughout these days, we have been in prayer for members of the synod staff and the synod council, for Bishop Bruce Burnside and his family, and for the pastors, leaders and congregations of our synod,” it said.

     Burnside was released April 11 on bond and entered an inpatient treatment facility.

     In accordance with the ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin's constitution and bylaws, the synod council confirmed the temporary appointment of the Rev. Blake E. Rohrer as acting bishop to oversee the ministry and work of the synod. Rohrer serves as an assistant to the bishop and director for evangelical mission.

      Prayer resources are available on the synod website at www.scsw-ELCA.org, and the letter is available at http://www.scsw-ELCA.org/PR_4-11-13.aspx.

     “Please continue to pray for all those affected by this unfortunate tragedy. We live in the trust that nothing can separate us from God’s love, and we pray that God’s love will sustain us all today and in the days ahead,” Eric Peterson, synod vice president, wrote in the letter.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA offers prayers for family, friends of pedestrian killed in Wisconsin

2013-04-08T14:17:46

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are extending prayers for the family and friends of a pedestrian killed April 7 in Sun Prairie, Wis., and for the Rev. Bruce H. Burnside, bishop of the ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin. Reports indicate that Burnside’s vehicle hit the pedestrian. He was arrested and taken into custody.

      “We offer our prayers for the woman who lost her life in this tragedy. Nothing can undo this terrible accident. Our hope is for God’s comfort for the survivors,” said the Rev. Jessica R. Crist, chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops and bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod.

     “At a time of such deep sorrow for the family and friends of the woman who died, for the members of the ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, for Bishop Burnside and his family and for the wider community, we are held in the promise that nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, and we are joined in our prayers for all who suffer,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.

     In a statement from the ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, leaders and members expressed their sorrow “and dismay in sympathy for the victim and for her family. We ask for prayers for the victim's family and for everyone affected by this situation.

      “In this difficult time, when words are challenging to find, we trust in the presence of the Holy Spirit to be with us, and in God's abiding love to sustain us.”

      Prayer resources are available on the synod’s website at http://www.scsw-ELCA.org.

      The ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin comprises of 145 congregations in 13 counties in south-central Wisconsin.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

2013 Easter Message From ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

2013-03-30T23:25:45

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In his 2013 Easter Message, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), shares the promise of forgiveness and reconciliation with the more than 4-million members of this church.

The full text of the presiding bishop’s message follows:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Easter. It is about more than an open tomb. It is the good news of the risen Christ who opens lives.

Think about Jesus' friends after his death. Their lives were closed down by fear, disappointment and confusion. The risen Christ appeared saying “peace be with you” and opened their lives with a liberating word of reconciliation. In the same way Christ opens your life with a baptismal promise that joins your life to his death and resurrection. “You are my child. Nothing in all creation will separate you from my love.”

Even now Christ is opening your life, your daily work, your passions and imagination. Christ is opening your daily life into a holy calling that fills the world with love. At the Lord’s table, Christ is opening you into a community that can bear even suffering with confidence, and sorrow with hope.

The risen Christ opens the Scriptures -- the full depth of God's promise made to Sarah and Abraham now coming to life in the new creation. Even when everything else is being stripped away, the risen Christ opens you to God's promised future.

Christ opens you to God's work of forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, is opening this way of life for you.

In God's grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson

Presiding Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Click here to view the video version of the 2013 Easter message.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA renews relationships with Malagasy, Malawi Lutherans

2013-03-19T15:03:48

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Malagasy Lutheran Church signed a partnership agreement designed to strengthen the relationship “in a new time.” The signing took place March 13 at the Malagasy church offices in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

     The agreement “is a strong foundation built upon the past but we sign it for the future,” said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, during the signing. “It is a document that reflects our partnership within The Lutheran World Federation and our deep commitment to growing together in Christ and our witness to God’s mission for the life of the world.”

     The ELCA and the Malagasy Lutheran Church are members of The Lutheran World Federation -- a global communion of 143 member churches in 79 countries worldwide. The ELCA is the communion’s only member church from the United States.

       “This is an agreement between Malagasy Lutheran Church and the ELCA (along with) our other partners. We have been studying it for a year and a half,” said the Rev. Rakoto Endor Modeste, president of the Malagasy church, adding that with Hanson’s visit, “we are very glad to sign (the agreement) together.”

     In an interview, Modeste said that although there are differences between the churches, they are “not enough to cut relationship. We can go together on evangelism, development (and other ministries). We are working together.” Modeste and his spouse plan to attend the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh this summer. Modeste has a doctoral degree in New Testament from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

     At the signing, the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, ELCA executive director for global mission, shared the value of the partnership between the ELCA and the Malagasy Lutheran Church, particularly when both denominations are “successful churches.”

     “Why is it that we need one another? The reason we need one another is that through these very concrete partnerships, we make God’s dream a reality in our midst. We may be very successful (churches) but, without you, we are not whole. And that’s the reason we engage in this companionship,” said Malpica Padilla.

     “The understanding of us needing you has opened up possibilities for mission engagement, which we did not have 50 years ago. About 50 years ago, Norwegians and Americans were sending missionaries (to Madagascar). Today, we in the United States open ourselves to receive your missionaries. You are helping us … to send missionaries around the world,” said Malpica Padilla, adding that the partnership allows for mutual support.

      The Malagasy Lutheran Church is a “strong and growing church that is sending missionaries, mostly physicians to Southern Hemisphere churches in Cameroon, Bangladesh and Liberia, in partnership with the ELCA,” said Hanson. “We have much to learn from the revival movement in the Malagasy Lutheran Church and its training and consecrating lay people to serve as shepherds, whose ministry is one of prayer for those who are sick.”

      During his visit in Madagascar, Hanson also met with five of the six young adults assigned in Madagascar under the Young Adults in Global Mission program of ELCA churchwide ministries.

      “This is the first year of placement of young adults in Madagascar. As I often have said during our visit here, the Malagasy Lutheran Church is preparing these future leaders for American church and society,” said Hanson.

      The Malagasy Lutheran Church has had a relationship with the ELCA and its predecessor church since 1888. The partnership agreement between the Malagasy Lutheran Church and ELCA is within the context of the “altar and pulpit fellowship” relationship shared as members of The Lutheran World Federation.

      The Malagasy Lutheran Church (Fiangonana Loterana Malagasy) dates back to the arrival of Norwegian missionaries in 1863 and was formally established as an independent church in 1950, with 1,800 congregations and 180,000 members. Today the Malagasy Lutheran Church has a membership of more than 3 million people, which makes it one of the largest Lutheran churches in the world. The church places a high priority on evangelism, social ministry and leadership development.
ELCA, Malawi Lutheran church members ‘have a lot in common’

      Following his March 10-14 visit in Madagascar, Hanson traveled March 14-17 to Malawi where he, along with his spouse and other ELCA colleagues, was greeted with a four-hour opening celebration of the visit.

     “The fact that we have a lot in common in our faith is enough reason for us to be united in partnership,” said the Rev. Joseph Bvumbwe, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi, during the celebration.

      The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi is a member of The Lutheran World Federation. In speaking to the membership, Bvumbwe said, “We are all equal before God. There is no church big enough that it cannot receive (another, and) there is no church too small that it cannot give. We all have the need to give and receive from one another. We are all The Lutheran World Federation regardless of where we are in the global village.”

      In speaking about the relationship with the ELCA, “it is more based on the issues that unite us than issues that separate us. This means that we do not have to agree on every issue to be in partnership. The fact that we have a lot in common in our faith is enough reason for us to be united in partnership.”

      “Allow me my brother Bishop (Hanson), dear sisters and brothers in Christ, to express our appreciation to Bishop (Hanson) and through him to the ELCA for its generosity in sharing its gifts both financial and otherwise,” said Bvumbwe at the celebration. “The ELCA is well known for its generosity and giving without conditionality. It is one church that respects mutuality, encourages and respects the autonomy of each church young or old, rich or poor.”

      With 50,000 members, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malawi is establishing and strengthening congregations in rural and urban areas throughout Malawi. Training clergy, lay evangelists and congregational leaders is a major focus, along with evangelism, health care and hunger programs and more.

      “In the faces of the people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi, in their singing and dancing, through hands feeding children and lives dedicated to reducing malaria we have seen the face of Jesus,” said Hanson. “I give thanks to God for our shared faith, proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ and commitment to work together to confront diseases so often associated with living in poverty.”

      Following the visit in Malawi, the ELCA presiding bishop is joining with members from ELCA congregations traveling March 16-25 in southern Africa. ELCA members are embarking on a “journey of listening and learning” from Lutheran companion churches working to help contain the deadly disease of malaria.

     The ELCA has partnered with 11 churches across Africa to help prevent and treat malaria, and to educate communities about the disease. Through the ELCA Malaria Campaign, ELCA members have committed to raise $15 million by 2015 to support the efforts of the 11 companion churches. The funds will help provide mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more. To date ELCA congregations have raised $6.5 million to help bring an end to malaria-related deaths.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA members journey to southern Africa for malaria campaign

2013-03-15T16:20:24

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Embarking on a “journey of listening and learning,” a group of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) members will travel March 16-25 to southern Africa to visit Lutheran companion churches working to help contain the deadly disease of malaria.

      “This is not just about going on a trip but entering into a long term relationship that will change all of us,” said the Rev. Philip Knutson, an ELCA regional representative in southern Africa. “What people need most, and that is true for guests and hosts, is for us to listen to each other and learn how to walk together. It is good to know that by God's grace we will be walking together for some time learning what it means to participate in God's mission of transformation, reconciliation and mutual empowerment for the sake of the life of the world.”

     Although malaria is preventable and treatable, each year more than 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa become infected with the disease and more than 600,000 people die, many of these children under the age of 5.

     ELCA members have committed to raise $15 million by 2015 to help Lutheran churches in Africa in their efforts to prevent and treat malaria and to educate communities about the disease. To date ELCA congregations have raised $6.5 million to help bring an end to malaria-related deaths. The ELCA has partnered with 11 churches across Africa through its ELCA Malaria Campaign.

     “The accompaniment of our global companions through the malaria campaign provides an unparalleled opportunity for ELCA members to connect with our brothers and sisters who live the health challenges of malaria on a daily basis in the countries in which they live,” said Dr. Carl Stecker, ELCA director for diakonia and a participant on the trip. ”We are part of something larger that neither the ELCA nor our global companion churches could do without the other. Without this partnership it would be unlikely that ELCA members would know the extent to which malaria affects our global companions.”

     Rolled out by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the campaign provides mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more.

     “I think it’s pretty amazing when you think about raising $15 million over five years,” said Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA executive director for mission advancement. “This campaign is supported by the whole churchwide organization. It’s supported by 65 synods and almost 10,000 congregations and by our 4 million members, because of the commitment this church has had around hunger and diseases of poverty, reaching people in a different part of the world and changing lives and being changed in the process. And not just changing their lives today, but together creating solutions so that all might live the life God had intended for them.” Jackson-Skelton is joining the journey with other churchwide colleagues.

     “Synod malaria coordinators, and the synod malaria teams that they lead, have been absolutely crucial to the fundraising success of the ELCA Malaria Campaign so far. We are thrilled that the synods of the ELCA have taken ownership of the campaign, created synod fundraising goals and even, in a few cases, met those goals already. This really is a campaign of the whole ELCA, led by passionate volunteers and committed congregations,” said Jessica Nipp Hacker, ELCA Malaria Campaign coordinator.

     Contributions of any size do make a difference in the lives of those most vulnerable, according to Nipp Hacker. In response to the campaign, ELCA congregations have taken part in a wide range of fundraising projects, all of which have an impact.

     ELCA members Mary Wennes, co-chair for the Malaria and Hunger Task Force of the ELCA Southwest California Synod, and Pam Galster are leading the fundraising efforts at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and will accompany the group to southern Africa.

     Ascension has raised $175,000 to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign. A portion of these funds, matched by the Zimbabwe government, helped bring electricity to a rural clinic in Burure, Zimbabwe. Wennes and Galster will have the opportunity to take part in the opening celebration of the clinic while on their visit to Zimbabwe.

     Wennes said she’s thrilled to visit southern Africa. “More of God's people will be able to experience hope, healing and freedom from malaria because of ‘God's work. Our hands.’ We are proud and grateful to be a part of the ELCA Malaria Campaign,” she said.

      “We’re hoping that the participants on the trip will come to a deeper understanding of how our relationships abroad work, -- our relationships with other Lutheran churches, -- and also come to a deeper understanding of the problem of malaria in Africa and the impact that preventive and treatment programs can make,” said Nipp Hacker, who is also a trip participant. “And then we’re hoping that there will be a ripple effect that when the participants come back they’ll be so excited they’ll want to work not only in their congregations but also potentially in their regions, their synods to increase the excitement around the malaria campaign.”

      Gus Gustafson, the chief transformation officer at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, Iowa, and his son, Grant, a high school junior, are also on the trip and will visit programs in Malawi. Their church’s Lenten offerings have been designated for the malaria campaign, which so far total $181,000. The trip provides the occasion for father and son to witness faith in action and bring back their stories to their congregation.

     “We're excited for the trip because it is a unique opportunity to be a part of the effort to eradicate one of the world's deadliest diseases. We love experiencing different cultures, and this experience will allow us to do that while serving others and growing in our faith,” said Grant Gustafson.

     “From this juncture within our life-long journey, may we learn to better listen to each other, to better walk together, and to seek to understand, rather than judge,” said Dr. Rebecca Duerst, ELCA program director for health care, another trip participant.

     “What we can do today is have an impact and I think that’s where the church should be -- caring for people and helping to make a difference in their lives while seeding work that will be sustainable over time,” said Jackson-Skelton.

     For more information about the ELCA Malaria Campaign, visit http://www.ELCA.org/malaria.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

New pope has ties to Lutherans, says ELCA presiding bishop

2013-03-13T19:08:23

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to the election today of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new pope, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said he is “encouraged that Pope Francis has worked with Lutherans in Argentina.”

      Meeting with Lutheran church leaders in Madagascar, Hanson said that “as we approach the commemoration of the 500th (observance) of the Lutheran Reformation, we share a deep commitment to our ongoing dialogues with the Catholic Church internationally and in the United States.”

      “His choice of the name Francis is a strong sign of his commitment to a life of prayer, simplicity, humility and solidarity with those who live on the margins of society. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit sustain him as we enter this holy calling,” Hanson said.

      According to the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop, executive for ecumenical and inter-religious relations, the election of Bergoglio “certainly brings a Holy Father to the world’s Catholics but also is very important for Christians throughout the world. Taking the name of Francis is very interesting to me, and I am sure many others. Francis of Assisi prayed before a crucifix and heard the words of Christ speaking to him, ‘Francis go and repair my Church ….’

      “This signifies to me that Pope Francis realizes the simple life of Francis is important for leadership in the church, that there is the need for renewal in the church, and there is a call to a life dedicated to serving others … especially the poor,” said McCoid.

      “Having a pope from the Americas is historic and does provide a new day for Christians in the global south. We join Catholics and others in praying for the new pope and for the hope that greater unity in Christ will be a renewing theme in his life and in the life of Christ’s church,” he said.

      In the United States, the ELCA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have been in ongoing discussions for more than 30 years. Each round covers a specific topic important for the life and vitality of both communions.

      ELCA leaders met with Pope Benedict XVI and other Roman Catholic Church leaders at the Vatican in 2012 to present “The Hope of Eternal Life” -- a common statement from the eleventh round of dialogues -- to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

      The common statement offers insights into some issues that proved contentious in the debates of the 16th century, such as the communion of saints, prayers for or about the dead, the meaning of death, purgation, the promise of the resurrection and more.

      Hanson said the new round of dialogues, “Ministries of Teaching: Sources, Shapes and Essential Contents,” will address areas of morality, ethics and theology, “looking at the Bible as an authoritative source for teaching ministries, as well as the international dialogue through The Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican.”

      In 2009, Lutherans and Catholics celebrated the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on Doctrine of Justification -- recognized as a significant achievement in the history of Christian ecumenical relations. Signed by representatives of The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church in Augsburg, Germany, the agreement declares that The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church have reached a common understanding on justification, agreeing that believers are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.

      The Lutheran World Federation is a global communion of 143 member churches in 79 countries worldwide. The ELCA is the communion’s only member church from the United States.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com
Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA bishops discuss a distinctive Lutheran witness in the world

2013-03-12T15:45:14

ITASCA, Ill (ELCA) -- Recognizing the rapidly changing landscape of religion, society and the world the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said the ELCA is in a “kairos” moment and that members can make a compelling “Lutheran witness in our culture today.”

     At the ELCA Conference of Bishops meeting here Feb. 28-March 5, Hanson framed his report around questions ELCA members and congregations are frequently asking. “Often the question is,” Hanson said, “Where is God leading this church?”

     The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church that includes 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and secretary. The Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod, chairs the conference.

      In the context of what narrative ELCA members are considering about the future of this church, the presiding bishop said he has reflected on the scripture readings for recent Sundays. “They help us keep our conversation about the future in the context of the story of God’s faithfulness to God’s promises in the past,” said Hanson.

      “Before God’s chosen people entered the promise land, they were instructed to make a thank-offering and recite the story of God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt,” he said.

      “On the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples saw in the presence of Moses and Elijah the stories of the wilderness wandering, the gift of the law, and God’s prophetic word of judgment and hope. Then they were given a glimpse of the resurrected Christ, transfigured before them. Being embraced by God’s faithfulness in the past and God’s future promise, they were ready to follow Jesus in his ministry,” said Hanson.

      He asked the conference, “How do we keep ministry in the context of the narrative of God’s faithfulness to God’s promises? There are so many competing narratives.” In sharing that the ELCA is a “book of faith” church, the presiding bishop talked about the ELCA’s “rich resources and gifted teachers of scripture.”

      The frustration often heard, said Hanson, is that “it is a challenge to engage people to study the scriptures so that they will shape our images of the church we believe that God is calling us to become.

      “I hope that we struggle together as a church as much with the question how do we keep this narrative alive, accessible and invitational as we do with more specific questions regarding the future of congregations, synods, the churchwide organization and the whole ELCA,” he said.

      Hanson told the conference that a newspaper reporter recently asked him what is distinctive about being Lutheran -- also a question Hanson asks when visiting with ELCA congregations. “The most frequent response is ‘grace.’ With (Martin) Luther, we confess that we stand before God only on account of Christ. This is our witness -- Christ is present for you in the means of grace, word and water, bread and wine.”

      Hanson also talked about his February visit to First Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in San Diego, “a congregation whose ministry is centered on the Lord’s Table from which people are sent to feed the hungry and engage in ministry with people who are homeless.

      “We have a marvelous moment to be a church known for its radical hospitality,” he said. “The urgent question for us is who is not at the table. How do we extend the invitation to all? When we are fed at Christ’s table, we are sent to work so that all will have daily bread.”

      The presiding bishop said the question about where is God leading this church is also answered “every day in the lives of 4 million people who live out God’s baptismal calling in families, friendships, work and school, as citizens and members of congregations. It is answered in the 10,000 congregations engaged through scripture, listening to their communities and joining with neighboring congregations. The spirit is stirring this church with imagination and passion for God’s mission.”

     As he concluded his report to the conference, Hanson invited synod bishops to consider the kind of leaders needed in the church. “How do we form leaders for a very radically different church, a church that is increasingly (less hierarchical) and connected and not mediated by institutions but a church that is firmly planted?” In small-group conversations, the synod bishops talked about creating future leaders who are prepared for change.

      “We need to be careful that we are not just another generic, American, Protestant denomination, that we’re not part of a revivalist, Calvinist movement and Protestant majority. It is possible to have a genuine voice that is not subsumed or assimilated by the overwhelming American voice,” said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod.
The changing landscape in leadership development

      As part of its overall attention to the future of the ELCA, the conference discussed the church’s changing landscape in leadership development, theological education, candidacy, call and rosters. The conference received from the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop a report with recommendations that is scheduled for presentation to the Church Council at its April meeting in Chicago.

      While the overall goal is to form the kind of leaders needed to “serve the gospel and God’s mission in the future,” Hanson said, beneath that is how the church will identify leaders and form them along the way. The need to address that in a “holistic manner” has become pressing as other conversations about candidacy and the ELCA’s clergy and professional lay rosters continue, and as the ELCA’s eight seminaries address funding challenges and the development of new patterns of providing theological education in effective, sustainable ways.

     “As we look to the preparation of future leaders for the church, bishops are deeply concerned about theological education,” said Crist in an interview.

      “As the needs of the church are changing, so are the circumstances of our eight ELCA seminaries. With several seminaries in leadership transition and all reconsidering their curriculum and standards, we are at a critical moment. For the first time, bishops serving on the boards of all the ELCA seminaries met together to share information on the strengths and challenges facing the seminaries today. The bishops also heard a proposal that will be considered by the Church Council to form a task force to find ways to move forward cooperatively, so that we can continue to produce leaders for the church of the future,” she said.

     In anticipation of the conference’s discussion on theological education, the Rev. Jon V. Anderson, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod, said about 20 synod bishops who serve on ELCA seminary boards gathered March 1 to share some joys, concerns and developments. From that meeting, five primary observations surfaced - seminaries are under stress; the seminary accreditation process has changed; there is a need to interpret to the ELCA’s nearly 10,000 congregations what is happening in seminaries and in the process of leadership formation; the current seminary students are an amazing gift - the group is touched by the young leaders God is calling; and, there are partnerships and alliances forming, particularly among some ELCA colleges and universities and seminaries.

     The bishops agreed that discussion on the future of the ELCA’s theological education will depend on collaboration with all stakeholders and that focus should be placed on the entire system instead of on individual seminaries.

      “We value the vision for collaboration around experiments rather than everyone doing their own thing. We also see this as the framing that the church is looking at theological formation rather than just seminaries,” said the Rev. Wayne N. Miller, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

     The synod bishops also discussed a draft of the proposed social statement on criminal justice. “In conversation, bishops identified numerous groups with whom they intended to share the statement, once approved by the Church Council. They include: congregations supporting prison congregations, a church-run deli that trains former prisoners in food preparation, groups of inmates, law enforcement people,” said Crist.

     In other business the conference:

+ Continued their conversation about the possibility of moving toward one, unified ELCA roster of Word and Service. According to the Rev. William O. Gafkjen, bishop of the ELCA Indiana-Kentucky Synod, there has been “a lot of affirmation” for the possibility but noted three areas of concern: the understanding of the word “diaconal” in service ministry; the impact of a roster on word and service and the ministry of all Christians; and the pastoral concern over the transition to a new roster. The church’s task force charged with working on a single roster is expected to bring a final proposal to the ELCA Church Council before the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

+ Recommended a process of “formal exploration” of a particular social concern, authorized by the Church Council, before a decision is made about the most appropriate way of addressing a social concern. According to the Rev. William C. Boerger, bishop of the ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, the rationale for the proposed change is that it provides a spirit of communal discernment on social concerns; strengthens awareness that the ELCA responds to social concerns in multiple ways; shifts the focus of authority for starting a study process by having the exploratory group make recommendations to the council; allows for social messages to be developed in response to future issues and does not privilege social statements as the most important way the church addresses a social concern.

+ Received a report from David Swartling, ELCA secretary, who updated the conference on preparations for the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to be held in Pittsburgh, Aug. 12-17. To date, 61 percent of the 952 voting members of the assembly are lay members, and about 40 percent of clergy are women. Of the total number of voting members, 13 percent are people of color or whose primary language is other than English, and 17 percent of voting members are 30 or younger. The process for selecting alternate voting members was reviewed. This spring, 25 synod bishop elections will be held with at least 10 new synod bishops.

+ Received an update from Portico Health Benefits on the transition to the new ELCA Health Plan due to the U.S. Healthcare Reform Act, which goes into effect in 2014. Representatives from Portico plan to attend nearly all 65 synod assemblies during spring and summer for transition and roll-out of the new plans.

+ Heard a report from the Rev. Linda Norman, ELCA treasurer, who shared that the ELCA churchwide organization had income in excess of expense of $5.3 million in current operating funds for the 2012 fiscal year, a favorable variance of $1 million from 2011. Income from congregations shared with synods and the churchwide organization in the form of Mission Support for the 2012 fiscal year decreased to $49.9 million, a decrease of $0.6 million or 1.1 percent but was favorable to the budget by $1.1 million or 2.3 percent. In a good sign, Norman said that there is some returning stabilization for Mission Support. For the third consecutive year, there has been growth in the number of synods reporting increases in Mission Support, she said. In 2012, 35 of the 65 synods remitted Mission Support in excess of the previous year. Consequently, the rates of decline in the rolling 12-month total of Mission Support have continued to lessen in the past three years. In other income, ELCA World Hunger received $18.6 million and $4.2 was given for the ELCA Malaria Campaign in 2012. The goal of the campaign is to raise $15 million by 2015.

+ Received a proposal for “God’s work. Our hands Sunday” for celebrating the ELCA’s 25th anniversary in 2013. The proposal suggests a single day to invite congregations to engage in service activities in their communities.

+ Received an updated proposal for a five-year, 25th anniversary fundraising campaign.

+ Discussed what contributions synods make to the wider church and what synods need from the church. The Rev. Richard Graham, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Washington D.C., Synod, invited the conference to engage in small-group discussions. The context for this conversation is part of a continuance of the “Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA.”

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA bishops say addressing violence begins by listening

2013-03-08T19:10:42

ITASCA, Ill (ELCA) -- Expressing grief over the tragedy of gun violence in the United States, the 65 synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offered a pastoral letter on violence to the 4-million-member church. In their letter, the bishops invite members to address together the cause and effect of violence, engage in prayer and respectful conversation, and care for one another and the communities impacted by violence.

     “We recognize that we serve in different contexts and have different perspectives regarding what can and should be done,” they wrote. “But as we live out our common vocations, knowing that the work will take many forms, we are committed to the work of reducing and restraining violence. In this time of public attention to gun violence, local communities of faith have a unique opportunity to engage this work. We begin by listening: listening to God, to Scripture, and to each other. Providing a safe place for people to share their own stories, together we discern courses of action. Together we act.”

     “While the church grapples with this call to reduce violence and make our communities safer, we recognize that before God we are neither more righteous because we have guns nor are we more righteous when we favor significant restrictions. Brokenness and sin are not somehow outside of us. Even the best of us are capable of great evil. As people of God we begin by confessing our own brokenness -- revealed in both our actions and our failure to act. We trust that God will set us free and renew us in our life's work to love our neighbors. This shared work is a sign of our unity in Christ,” the letter states.

      The bishops discussed the content of their letter during the ELCA Conference of Bishops, which met here Feb. 28-March 5. The conference is an advisory body of this church that includes the 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and secretary.

      “I was very pleased that the Conference of Bishops adopted a pastoral letter on violence during our meeting,” said the Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod. Crist is chair of the conference.

      “The ELCA has already made significant statements on violence, and we wanted to call attention to what our church has already said. But we also wanted to be able to make a statement as a Conference of Bishops in response to a culture of violence. The letter was carefully crafted and re-crafted, debated and prayed about. We commend it to the church," she said.

      The Rev. Jon V. Anderson, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod added, “At our meeting, the Conference of Bishops sought to lift up our shared vocation to work to reduce and restrain violence through a pastoral letter. The letter invites Christians to go deeper in lamenting, listening, sharing, discerning, deciding and acting to make this world a safer place for all. We invite leaders and congregations to imagine who they might invite into conversation.”

      During their discussion, the bishops talked about the impact of violence on their own communities and acknowledged they each bring a different perspective to the conversation.

      The Rev. Stephen S. Talmage, bishop of the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, spoke about the 2011 shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, who at the time was a member of Congress from Arizona. “The Gabby Giffords shooting began the debate and we all hear it in our territories. Inside that gun debate is the debate on mental illness. You will all not agree with me on the response, but we need to have a response on a safe community and care for mental illness.”

     The Rev. David B. Zellmer, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod, said “I’ve been a pastor for 32 years and have worked with 11 families who have been touched by murder.” He added that “violence is incredibly localized” in his state.

     Calling for ELCA members to join in the work of reducing and restraining violence, the letter also acknowledges resources produced by the church on peace, community violence and mental illness.

     “As we worked on the letter we were reminded of the helpful resources that have been created,” said Anderson. “As Christians and congregations we are called to deep reflection and conversation about reducing violence. With humility we are called to discern, decide, act and evaluate our strategies.”

     In a pastoral video message soon after the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said that as “long as a culture of violence is holding us captive -- our spirits, our imagination, our debates, our actions -- we have work to do.”

     ELCA leaders and members across the country have participated in inter-faith and ecumenical prayer vigils and services. In February, the Rev. James Hazelwood, bishop of the ELCA New England Synod, took part in an ecumenical prayer service with other Lutheran and Episcopal clergy, deacons and rostered leaders. Commenting in his blog he said, “The intent is to reflect on the challenges of doing ministry in a culture of violence.”

      Other ELCA social messages and statements include: “The Body of Christ and Mental Illness” and “Peace: God’s Gift, Our Calling.” The Conference of Bishops’ letter is available at www.ELCA.org/bishopsletter.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA Bishop Joins Plea for U.S. Budget that Protects the Vulnerable

2013-02-25T16:20:46

CHICAGO (ELCA) - In a Feb. 25 letter to President Obama and Congressional leaders, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined more than 100 national church leaders, calling for fiscal responsibility that models our nation’s values and is mindful of the moral obligation to protect those most vulnerable.

      “The measure of the necessary work of debt and deficit reduction should not be political gain or loss, but whether or not fiscal decisions reflect the needs of all people, particularly for vulnerable people. I pray for public officials and ask them to remember their God-given call to servant leadership and to forego irresponsible brinksmanship,” Hanson said.

      The letter is the latest effort by Circle of Protection, an initiative formed by national Christian leaders and heads of relief and development organizations to protect programs that serve those living in poverty.

      “The charter of the Circle of Protection is a powerful witness that people of faith join together in our commitment to those who are hungry and live in poverty,” Hanson said.

      The appeal pleads for an end to the constant budget battles of the past two years and strongly urges the president and Congress to work together to end poverty and hunger. The communication encourages the nation’s leaders to consider the government’s responsibility to people living in poverty and to recognize that providing opportunity and encouragement to those living on the margins of society benefits the country’s overall fiscal health.

      Kathryn Lohre, director for ecumenical and inter-religious relations at ELCA churchwide ministries, also endorsed the statement as president of the National Council of Churches in Christ.

      “It is a scandalous reality that today more than one in seven Americans (46.2 million people) -- and one in five children -- are living in poverty. Budgets are moral documents, reflecting our core values and commitments. For this reason, we urge our elected leaders to continue to seek financial health for this nation while protecting those who are living at its margins, those whom Jesus called ‘the least of these,’” Lohre said.

      Should Republicans and Democrats fail to reach a budget compromise, mandated cuts in domestic and defense spending are set to go into effect March 1. Although the cuts, also known as the sequester, will not impact Medicaid or Social Security, many social safety-net programs will be affected.

      “Our leaders are currently debating about who wins politically on these important issues rather than finding a constructive compromise. There are real people behind words such as ‘sequester’ and ‘debt ceiling’ -- rural families, working single-mothers, seniors, veterans and children -- and they deserve real action on debt reduction so that we can proceed to meaningful discussion about economic opportunity, job creation and community transformation,” said the Rev. Andrew Genzsler, director for ELCA advocacy ministries.

      The letter offers prayers and faith-grounded counsel, asking the country’s leaders to shift their collective focus from the politics of the budget process to our country’s most vulnerable people.

      “This is not only a good thing to do, it is the right thing to do,” said Lohre. “The fiscal showdowns of recent months fail to honor the fact that 46.2 million of us are already living on the brink. This is not acceptable to us, nor is it acceptable to God. We must find another way forward -- one that honors the dignity and worth of all of God’s children. We pledge our partnership and prayers as we seek together to become a nation where there is truly enough for all.”

      The full text of the letter is available at www.circleofprotection.us.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Candice Hill Buchbinder

773-380-2877 or Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

ELCA presiding bishop offers prayers for pope, Catholic Church members

2013-02-11T14:35:25

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- On behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev. Mark S. Hanson extends prayers for Pope Benedict XVI and for the members of the Catholic Church following the announcement of the Holy Father’s intention to resign on Feb. 28.

      While the resignation comes as a surprise, it is “one that calls Christians to lift up support and prayers in this momentous time of transition,” said Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.

      “Pope Benedict XVI has served the Catholic Church during a time of significant challenge. He is a highly respected, traditional and conservative theologian,” said Hanson. “As the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, his assistance with guiding the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was a major contribution for Lutherans and Catholics.”

      In his visits with Pope Benedict, Hanson said he was “always pleased with his knowledge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and his words of encouragement for our ecumenical relationship with Catholics through The Lutheran World Federation and with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.”

      “Pope Benedict’s positive contributions in emphasizing God’s redemptive love in Christ Jesus, on the centrality of prayer and his focus on charity are gifts that will continue to support God’s people and our common work for the unity of Christians,” said Hanson, adding that in this time of transition and prayer for the Catholic church “it is also important that we continue dialogue as a significant part of our relationship.”

      In the United States, the ELCA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have been in ongoing discussions for more than 30 years. Each round covers a specific topic important for the life and vitality of both communions.

      ELCA leaders met with Pope Benedict and other Catholic Church leaders at the Vatican in 2012 to present “The Hope of Eternal Life” -- a common statement from the eleventh round of dialogue - to Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

      The common statement offers insights into some issues that proved contentious in the debates of the 16th century, such as the communion of saints, prayers for or about the dead, the meaning of death, purgation, the promise of the resurrection and more.

      Hanson said the new round dialogues, “Ministries of Teaching: Sources, Shapes and Essential Contents,” will address areas of morality, ethics and theology, “looking at the Bible as an authoritative source for teaching ministries, as well as the international dialogue through The Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican.”

      Hanson said that it is “also important that our local expressions of unity in Christ through prayer, scripture study, service among our neighbors and work for justice continue as witnesses to our shared faith.”

      In anticipation of Pope Benedict’s successor, the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop, executive for ecumenical and inter-religious relations, said, it is “our hope that Pope Benedict’s successor will focus on an emphasis on the redemptive love in Christ Jesus and the continued support for the unity of Christians through dialogue and prayer. As the world faces so many challenges, it is important for the new pope to be a leader for all Christians in addressing tensions with other religions and tensions in places where there is no peace.”

      In 2009, Lutherans and Catholics celebrated the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on Doctrine of Justification -- recognized as a significant achievement in the history of Christian ecumenical relations. Signed by representatives of The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church in Augsburg, Germany, the agreement declares that The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church have reached a common understanding on justification, agreeing that believers are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.

      The Lutheran World Federation is a global communion of 143 member churches in 79 countries worldwide. The ELCA is the communion’s only member church from the United States.

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

Lutheran church in Ethiopia severs relationship with ELCA

2013-02-07T15:37:38

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is severing its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Church of Sweden and “those churches who have openly accepted same-sex marriage.”

     The action for “all Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus departments and institutions (at every level) to implement this decision” was ratified at the denomination’s general assembly, which met Jan. 27-Feb. 2 in Addis Ababa. The denomination’s church council took action at its July 2012 meeting to initially sever these relationships.

     “The ELCA is very saddened by this decision,” said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director for ELCA Global Mission. “The ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have been walking with the people of Ethiopia for more than 50 years, and our sister church, the Church of Sweden, for more than 150 years. In this journey, we have learned from one another, we have deepened and extended the bonds of fellowship and partnership in the gospel.” Malpica Padilla was in Addis Ababa for meetings with program and ministry partners of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.

     To ensure that the decisions by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus are implemented, members of the denomination “will not receive Holy Communion from the leadership and pastors of the (ELCA and the Church of Sweden). The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus will not distribute communion to these churches,” as stated in the minutes of the denomination’s July 2012 council meeting.

     “Representatives of these churches at national level or leaders at every level would not be invited to preach or speak at the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus congregations or other gatherings. They should not be invited for any spiritual ministries of this church,” stated the minutes, which also reflects that leaders and pastors of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus “at every level will not visit the synods, dioceses, congregations and national offices of churches that have accepted this practice without proper permission from the head office of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.”

     While the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is “closing the door to this partnership,” Malpica Padilla said that the ELCA and the Church of Sweden “are not locking the doors from our side. It is open for when you decide it is time to resume this journey together. It is my hope that in the near future, we will again walk together in Christian love. We will do this not because of doctrinal agreements or consensus, but because the gospel compels us to do so.”

      The ELCA has consistently kept its Lutheran companion churches informed about the ELCA’s process that led to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly decisions, which included the adoption of a social statement on human sexuality, said Malpica Padilla.

      “We shared the study documents and invited their input,” he said. “When decisions were made, we wrote to (leaders of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus) expressing our commitment to not impose our actions and to respect the policy and practice of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus in the assignment of mission personnel,” he said.

     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, said the actions of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus are “deeply troubling.”

      “Our own statement on human sexuality acknowledges that the position held by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is also held by members of the ELCA. We are not of one mind, but we are one in Christ, in faith and in baptism,” said Hanson, adding that the relationships between Lutherans in North America and in Ethiopia “has been sustained through periods of oppression, divisions within the Ethiopian church and in times of turmoil among Lutherans in North America. The action of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus church diminishes our capacity together to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to serve our neighbors and to care for the creation.

      “As the ELCA, we are always standing ready to open the door of conversation for the sake of reconciliation and our shared commitment to proclamation and service,” Hanson said. “Reconciliation is not an option. It is given in Christ, and we stand ready to engage with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus on what this gift of reconciliation might mean for us now.”

- - -

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God's work. Our hands,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper

773-380-2956 or Melissa.RamirezCooper@ELCA.org

http://www.ELCA.org/news

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lutherans

Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com