CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) authorized its executive committee to act on a proposed consolidation of Lutheran Medical Center (LMC) and Maimonides Medical Center (MMC), both of New York.
"This action will expedite consideration of a proposal from Lutheran Medical Center that would OK a new relationship," said the Rev. Charles S. Miller, executive director of the ELCA's Division for Church in Society.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between meetings of the ELCA's Churchwide Assembly. The council met here Nov. 13-16. Assemblies are = held every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.
LMC and MMC are negotiating to establish an "organic structural relationship," according to the council resolution.
"In today's environment for health care institutions, such alliances and mergers among medical providers are common," said the council.
A proposed agreement for the two institutions is being drafted and will be reviewed by legal counsel and the staff of the Division for Church in Society. Approval of the agreement will be needed prior to the April 1999 meeting of the Church Council, so the council authorized its = executive committee to act on its behalf.
LMC and MMC are not-for-profit medical institutions serving the people of Brooklyn. The ELCA is the sole voting member of the LMC. It = has the right to elect the board of trustees and to approve LMC constitutional amendments, and it retains property rights should LMC cease operations.
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 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
