ELCA News Service

A service for journalists and members of the news media

      CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Preachers, presiding ministers and Bible study leaders chosen for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ECLA) Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis this August come from diverse backgrounds.
      The preachers, presiders and Bible study leaders were chosen by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.  The Rev. Jennifer P. Ollikainen, associate for worship resources, said the goal with this group was to have "broad representation" of the church body.
     The presiding and preaching ministers include four pastors who are bilingual, a first-year pastor, a university chaplain and the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. The leaders at the assembly serve an important role, Ollikainen said.
     "Word and Sacrament are at the center of the church," she said.  "Those who are ministers have a ...(more)

ELCA Seminary Measuring Effect of McCormick Decision to 'Disengage'
Jul 02, 2009; 09-146-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) asked a special finance task force to assess the impact of a decision by the board of neighboring McCormick Theological Seminary. McCormick will initiate a process to "disengage" from a real estate arrangement with LSTC as early as June 2010.
     LSTC is one of eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  McCormick is one of 10 seminaries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which became a full-communion partner of the ELCA in 1997.
     "LSTC will always give thanks for the partnership of the two schools in the ministry of theological education," said the Rev. James Kenneth Echols, LSTC president. "The seminary also regrets the strained financial circumstances that have led McCormick to make its decision," to pursue an "orderly disengagement" from the real estate ...(more)

ELCA Presiding Bishop Emphasizes Unity in Message to Church Leaders
Jul 02, 2009; 09-145-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed "heartfelt commitment" to the unity of the ELCA and "deep confidence" that unity will not be lost because of decisions that will be made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson commented on church unity in light of a proposed social statement on human sexuality, and a report and recommendation on ELCA ministry policies to be considered by the assembly.  His remarks were contained in a June 30 message to ELCA professional leaders. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly meets Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
     Hanson wrote that he is thankful for "thoughtful and respectful" discussion on both proposals at spring assemblies of the church's 65 synods. However, he wrote he's aware that ELCA members have a variety of opinions about the proposals and such ...(more)