CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The state public policy advocacy efforts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Maryland are being carried out from a very ecumenical office. Four Christian denominations -- Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian -- are coordinating their work out of the state's first Ecumenical Advocacy Center located on State Circle in Annapolis.
The four denominations may not agree on all issues before the Maryland legislature, but they are working together on several issues on which they hold similar positions -- health insurance for the state's 168,000 uninsured children, slots and casino gambling, and hunger-related issues.
The Rev. George P. Mocko, bishop of the ELCA's Delaware-Maryland Synod, sees any differences as having little impact on the center's ultimate success. "With all the diverse and contradictory views you hear on every public issue, it should be heartening that on most of these issues Christians either agree, can agree or find a way agreeably to disagree," he said. "The Ecumenical Advocacy Center witnesses to this and will be a place where the fruits of such labor will be increasingly realized."
The religious community has long viewed advocacy -- pleading the cause of others -- as an important function of the church in society. The Ecumenical Advocacy Center's founders are active in the Maryland Interfaith Legislative Committee, a consensus-based interfaith advocacy coalition. This collaboration marks the first time these advocacy ministries will share office space and expenses.
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
