LUTHERANS REDEDICATE THEMSELVES TO SEEK
FULL COMMUNION WITH THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- After rejecting a proposal to enter now into "full communion" with The Episcopal Church, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has rededicated the church to work toward establishing that relationship in 1999. The assembly overwhelmingly adopted two resolutions on Tuesday, Aug. 19, outlining that resolve and the steps the ELCA should take to achieve that goal.
Addressing representatives of the Episcopal Church who were on hand for the votes, ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson said, "You feel the urgent and heartfelt intent of this church to enter into full communion with the Episcopal Church." He assured them that, with patience and continued cooperation, the goal of full communion would be achieved "in the Lord's time."
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted on Monday to reject a formal proposal for full communion, Concordat of Agreement. Needing two-thirds or 690 of the votes cast for approval, it failed 684 to 351.
The first resolution passed Tuesday said "our church remains committed to the ultimate goal of full communion with The Episcopal Church and other churches" and listed four resolves outlining things the ELCA will do to educate itself on Lutheran and Episcopal doctrine, creeds and polity." That resolution passed 930 to 79 -- or 92.2 percent in the affirmative.
The second resolution built on a 1982 agreement for "Interim Eucharistic Sharing" to maintain conversations between the two churches "to bring to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly a revised proposal for full communion" with The Episcopal Church. That resolution passed 995 to 15 -- 98.5 percent in the affirmative.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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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 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 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
