ELCA News

Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation

03/20/2023

As we approach March 31, many people are preparing to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly injustices they face.

As bishop of this church, I am concerned that the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans have been targeted all over this nation. Nearly 400 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced across the United States in 2022, most of them targeting trans youth. That is twice the number from 2021 and almost eight times the total from 2020. The language in many of these bills attacks the humanity of trans and nonbinary people, often erasing the dignity that should be afforded to everyone.

While members of our church hold various convictions regarding gender, the teaching of our church supports legislation and policies to protect every person's human dignity and civil rights. (Human Sexuality, p. 19) As Christians we believe every human being is created in God's image, and we must honor and celebrate God's creation. Our church teaches that we affirm transgender and nonbinary siblings as God's children, who are loved unconditionally. Our social statement Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action (2019) also declares that this church commits itself to "advocate for and support laws, policies, and practices that respect diverse bodies rather than discriminating against, objectifying, or devaluing them" (p. 60).

I urge us, as people of faith, to love our neighbors, care for the vulnerable and marginalized, and work for justice and equality. We may have differing opinions on "matters related to sexual orientation and gender identity," (FSJ, p. 61) but we must always uphold the dignity and humanity of everyone. These disagreements do not allow us to accept actions that dehumanize, discriminate against or objectify any individual or group.

We must stand together, dear church, faithfully advocating for the full humanity and dignity of all people. Let us recognize and affirm the humanity of our transgender and nonbinary siblings. Let us advocate for their dignity. Let us continue to be guided by God's love and compassion as we seek justice and equality for everyone.

In Christ,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

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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 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities 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
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

ELCA Conference of Bishops Discusses Exchangeability, Cuba and More

03/10/2023

ITASCA — The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Feb. 28–March 4 at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Ill. The conference, an advisory body of the ELCA, comprises 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary.

The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew, bishop of the ELCA New Jersey Synod and chair of the conference, opened the meeting with a land acknowledgement. "We are gathered on the traditional unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwa, Odawa and Potawatomi Nations. Many other tribes such as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox also called this area home. The region has long been a center for Indigenous people to gather, trade and maintain kinship ties. Today one of the largest urban American Indian communities in the United States resides in Chicago. Members of this community continue to contribute to the life of this city and to celebrate their heritage, practice traditions and care for the land and waterways."

In key business the conference:

Voted to commend to the ELCA Church Council a "Proposal for Exchangeability of the Diaconate," endorsed by the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee. Through the proposal, the ELCA and The Episcopal Church (TEC) recognize each other's deacons as authentic and provides for the possibility of interchangeability for occasional ministry or extended service. This proposal became possible as an interpretation of "Called to Common Mission" (CCM) — the full communion agreement between the two churches — after the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly confirmed ordination as the entrance rite for rostered ministers of Word and Service. To implement this proposal, TEC is undertaking a process similar to that of the ELCA. The Church Council will consider the proposal at its spring meeting.
Approved a letter from the conference to Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey requesting his assistance to reverse the U.S. government's current economic and international sanctions against Cuba and to initiate a pathway toward normalizing diplomatic relations. The conference's action is based on the ELCA social policy resolution "Advocacy with the U.S. government – Aid to Cuba" that was adopted by the 1995 Churchwide Assembly.
Received an update on the nominations process for the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, called for in the memorial "Restructure the Governance of the ELCA" that was adopted by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
Engaged in conversation around Holy Communion practices as called for in the memorial "Holy Communion Practices in Unusual Circumstances and Pandemic Times," approved by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.

In other business, the conference:

Received a report from the Rev. Amy Reumann, senior director of ELCA Witness in Society, addressing advocacy efforts and ELCA bishops' "ready benches." Created by the Office of the Presiding Bishop in 2007, the ready benches keep bishops informed on public policy issues; facilitate opportunities for bishops to speak with members of Congress and testify before Congress; support bishops in responding to and writing for the public media on policy issues; and advise the presiding bishop on social issues.
Engaged in conversation and training on the intersectionality of racial justice and gender justice, led by Jennifer DeLeon, director for ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, and Mary Streufert, director for ELCA Gender Justice and Women's Empowerment. Small-group discussions centered on such resources as "Racial and Gender Justice Definitions" and "Racial and Gender Justice Values and Directives."
Received a report from the task force addressing the disciplinary concerns of leaders of color, presented by Judith Roberts, senior director for ELCA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and co-convener of the task force, and the Rev. Paul Erickson, bishop of the ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod and a task force member. The creation of this task force was recommended in the strategy toward authentic diversity adopted by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. The task force is expected to make recommendations regarding the current process for discipline, consider a process for community healing and grief, and make recommendations for an office to receive complaints of harassment and discrimination. The Conference of Bishops received the draft report and will continue to be in consultation regarding the proposed recommendations.
Received an update on Mission Support, the financial offering from congregations that is shared with synods and the churchwide organization. Victoria Flood, senior director of Mission Support, emphasized that, although overall dollar amounts are decreasing, a strong relationship and commitment to funding the ministries shared through synods and the churchwide organization remains. Nearly half of the 65 synods share 45% or more of the Mission Support they receive from congregations to support churchwide ministries, while the average percentage from congregations has been relatively stable for the past decade at just over 5% of regular offerings shared with synods.
Discussed sign-on letters issued by the conference, focusing on when and how letters are developed and how best to amplify the conference's collective voice.
Welcomed Imran Siddiqui, the new ELCA vice president elected by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. In his remarks to the conference, Siddiqui praised lay leadership in the ELCA.
Received reports from the ELCA presiding bishop, secretary and treasurer and updates from the conference's various committees and from home areas of the churchwide organization.

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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 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities 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
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

A Pastoral Message in Support of our Jewish Neighbors

02/24/2023

Dear church,

For many months we have seen an alarming spike in anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim and white supremacist hate. It has been reported that extremist groups are planning a national "Day of Hate" tomorrow, targeting Jews. This evening, as the sun sets and Shabbat begins, our Jewish neighbors are living in fear.

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors and to be peacemakers. We stand firm in our commitment to love and respect our Jewish neighbors in our local communities and across the nation and globe. We reject as sin and as an affront to the gospel all calls for hatred of the Jewish people and all forms of white supremacy. We are ready to protect and defend Jews, people of other faiths and people of color.

I invite you to consider tonight how you can live out our common calling and commitments. Here are some suggestions:

Speak out against this "Day of Hate" as evil and counter to the love and peace we are called to embody.
Reach out to your local rabbi or synagogue, as well as your Jewish friends, colleagues and family and offer your support in whatever way they might most appreciate.
Post signs in the windows of your home expressing support for the Jewish people.
Pray for all people, including those who proclaim hate, that God's love will prevail.

God, our refuge and strength, you have bound us together in a common life. In the face of hate, help us to accompany one another in love. In this time of danger, be to our Jewish neighbors a guardian and rock of defense. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

In peace,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Resource documents:

"A Declaration of the ELCA to the Jewish Community" (adopted 1994, revised 2021)
ELCA social policy resolution "Condemnation of White Supremacy and Racist Rhetoric" (2019)

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For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

ELCA Youth Ministry Network Hosts Youth Ministry “Extravaganza” in Anaheim

02/06/2023

The Extravaganza, an annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, took place Feb. 3-6 in Anaheim, Calif. The event was hosted by the ELCA's Youth Ministry Network.

Participants in Extravaganza 2023 gathered for one live experience in two expressions, on-site in Anaheim and online, under the theme "Enough."

The event included three pre-Extravaganza "Intensive Care Courses" that explored specific areas of interest, more than 30 workshops, more than 70 exhibitors, and four different learning tracks, each guided by a leader in its area of ministry and supplemented by workshop topics.

This year's Extravaganza also included a major announcement regarding the ELCA Youth Gathering, to be held July 26-20, 2024, in New Orleans under the theme "Created to Be." Two essential parts of this event's ministry are its pre-events: the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (a faith formation and leadership development event for youth of color or whose primary language is not English, and the largest gathering of people of color in the ELCA) and the tAble (for youth living with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities, and for their caregivers).

This year, attendees of the Extravaganza learned, the Gathering will waive fees for the first 1,000 registrants who attend the MYLE and the first 200 registrants who attend the tAble.

"Because they're such crucial parts of the ministry of the Gathering, we are thrilled to be able to support MYLE and the tAble in this way," said Tammy Jones West, director of the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering and an ELCA deacon. "Our hope is that more young people will get to experience these important ministries, which we know create a lifelong impact. We're thankful to a generous donor that makes this opportunity possible for the young people of this church."

Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA meet at the Gathering for a week of faith formation and fellowship. Through speakers, discussions, Bible study and immersion in the host city, attendees are inspired, challenged, given opportunities to explore their vocation, and called to live out their faith in their daily lives.

Registration for the Gathering opens Sept. 15, 2023. Participants in the pre-events must attend the Gathering as well. The registration fee covers on-site food, housing and programming for the pre-events. Transportation to New Orleans and registration for the ELCA Youth Gathering is not covered.

Financial assistance is available for youth attending the Gathering. Applications for this assistance open Sept. 15 and close on Oct. 15. More information is forthcoming.

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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 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. 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.

About the Network:
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in close partnership with the ELCA. Its mission is to strengthen and empower adults, children, youth and family ministry leaders in service to Christ. It hosts the annual "Extravaganza" and provides many other resources to strengthen congregational faith formation. More information on the Network can be found at elcaymnet.org.

For information contact:

Jocelyn Fuller
Senior Director, Strategic Communications
773-380-2547
Jocelyn.fuller@elca.org

Rev. Todd Buegler
612-460-5345
Todd@elcaymnet.org

A Statement on the Killing of Tyre Nichols

01/27/2023

"Christians in their longing for Christ find themselves deeply immersed in the sufferings of the world. Christians are not aloof spectators, watching the world's troubles. ... [F]aith leads us into solidarity with suffering." —ELCA social statement, The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries (2013)

As the nation watches another video exposing police violence against a Black man after a traffic stop, there will be great suffering and despair emerging from across the United States. In just over a week we have witnessed mass gun violence in California – twice – and the shooting of a protester at a future police training site in Atlanta. Each of these tragedies inspires grief, not only for the lives lost and forever altered but also for our loss of confidence in a system that continues to fail us, over and over.

It's important to remember that images are powerful and can retraumatize communities. The anticipated video footage of 29-year-old Memphis resident Tyre Nichols being beaten promises to stir many emotions and reawaken the grief of tens of millions of Americans who have seen this in their own communities. It will feel personal for those who have witnessed this trauma inflicted upon their own families.

As Americans, we must all face this problem. Together we must cry out, much as Rachael wept in loud lamentation, "How long, O Lord?"  
 
How long, O Lord, will we need to suffer at the hands of injustice? 
 
How long, O Lord, will we hear of lives taken by another shooting and fear for our own lives and our families' lives? 
 
How long, O Lord, will we fear a system that is supposed to protect all lives? 
 
Dear church, now is the time to focus, listen, learn, counsel, advocate for just reforms, and lament a grief that seems relentless, that is awoken again with each act of tragedy and injustice across this nation. 

In Christ,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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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 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. 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:
Jocelyn Fuller
Sr. Director, Strategic Communications
773-380-2547
Jocelyn.fuller@elca.org

ELCA Foundation Announces Partnership with Fund Evaluation Group LLC

01/20/2023

CHICAGO — The ELCA Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with the investment consulting firm Fund Evaluation Group LLC (FEG).

Previously, the Foundation worked with Graystone Consulting to provide reporting and oversight of three core portfolios — the Ministry Growth Fund, Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Trusts. The decision to switch providers was driven mainly by a desire to enhance the service model; what has historically been research-based, objective consulting will now follow an outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) model, aimed at building and maintaining portfolios that will specifically meet the ELCA's goals.

"Following an extensive search analyzing the services of a variety of investment consulting firms, we are excited to begin our work with FEG," said Annette Shoemaker, interim president and CEO, ELCA Foundation. "Given the complexities of the markets and the fiduciary responsibility the Foundation maintains for so many ELCA organizations and ministries, we believe that utilizing an outsourced chief investment officer alongside traditional investment consulting services will not only provide increased oversight of our gift pools going forward but introduce us to new investment strategies and vehicles. FEG brings years of foundation experience to our team, and we look forward to working with the firm."

In the traditional investment consulting model the consultant provides advice and guidance on managing assets but the final investment choices lie with the Foundation's Investment Committee. In an OCIO model the consultant will make investment decisions in line with the committee's strategic guidance, providing daily supervision to the portfolios. This, in turn, will provide additional management and faster decision-making for the donation investments.

The FEG partnership will not disrupt the existing investments held with Portico Benefit Services, which will remain a vital investment adviser within the Ministry Growth Fund. Portico invests in a manner consistent with the faith and teachings of the ELCA. FEG will complement these existing funds with sophisticated alternative strategies common among larger, institutional investors like the Foundation, such as private equity, private debt, private real assets and other alternative strategies. FEG will further monitor and manage the risks of the entire portfolio, helping to ensure that no unintended risks are taken and driving growth of the portfolio.

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About the ELCA Foundation
The ELCA Foundation, a separately incorporated ministry of the ELCA, holds and manages endowment assets; offers pooled investment services for the ELCA and its related congregations, synods, agencies and institutions; and provides planned giving programs that support the mission and ministry of the ELCA.

About FEG
FEG is a 100%-employee-owned, full-service investment advisory firm—one of the largest independent advisory firms in the U.S., with more than 30 years' experience and approximately $70 billion in assets under advisement. FEG specializes in working with nonprofit organizations, which comprise 94% of FEG's OCIO clients.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org