ELCA Ecumenical Education Team Named

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A committee responsible for education regarding Lutheran-Episcopal relations has been appointed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The group met Jan. 13-14.
     The ELCA's 1997 Churchwide Assembly mandated "education opportunities" in the church, stating that the ELCA recognizes the need to understand its own doctrine, creeds and polity as well as those of The Episcopal Church.  The committee discussed development of two videotapes, one for ELCA synod assemblies this spring, the other for use in congregations.  It also talked about the possibility of a CD-ROM containing documents for research purposes.
     The Rev. Darlis J. Swan of the ELCA's Department for Ecumenical Affairs reported that committee members were appointed in consultation with the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop.
     They are the Rev. Steven L. Ullestad (chairperson), bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod, Cedar Falls, Iowa; the Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod; the Rev. Clarence D. Harms, Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wis.; Dr. Lynne Lorenzen, Augsburg College, Minneapolis; the Rev. Frederick H. Reisz, president of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.; Charles F. Ruthroff, assistant to the bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod, Oakland, Calif.; and the Rev. Nelson T. Strobert, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.
     Swan said, "The task of this committee is to provide opportunities for members of the faculties of ELCA colleges and seminaries, the Conference of Bishops, clergy and laity to communicate the history, theology and ecclesiology of both The Episcopal Church and the ELCA."
     Harms said, "I think a video resource can be effective in congregations.  The committee's intent is to deal in a positive way with the most challenging issues.  We hope education will take place through different means of communication."
     The assembly action was part of an effort to rededicate the ELCA to seeking "full communion" with The Episcopal Church following a vote that narrowly defeated establishing the relationship.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html