ELCA Commission Backs Congregation, Nominates Chadwick

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The steering committee of the Commission for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asked the church to support the efforts of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn., seeking an exception to ELCA rules against ordaining gay or lesbian Lutherans in homosexual relationships. The committee also nominated Joanne Chadwick for re-election as executive director of the commission when it met here March 10-12.
The ELCA's 11,000 congregations are organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop. St. Paul-Reformation is a congregation of the ELCA's Saint Paul Area Synod.
On behalf of St. Paul-Reformation, the Saint Paul Area Synod Council petitioned the ELCA Church Council to amend "Vision and Expectations," a document the council adopted in 1990. The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said "Vision and Expectations" describes "both the vision for ordained ministry in the life of this church and the high expectations its members have of those who serve in this ministry."
The proposed amendment to "Vision and Expectations" would add two sentences to its opening section: "Exceptions to the provisions of 'Vision and Expectations' may be granted by the Conference of Bishops. The Conference of Bishops may consult the Division for Ministry concerning exceptions it seeks to make."
The ELCA Church Council will consider the petition when it meets here April 8-9. The council's Legal and Constitutional Review Committee has recommended that the Division for Ministry be asked for a report on the petition in November 2000. The division develops standards for ministry.
"Vision and Expectations" states, "Ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships."
St. Paul-Reformation is seeking an exception for Anita Hill, a lay minister who has served the congregation for several years and will earn a master's of divinity degree this year. The degree is a requirement for ordination in the ELCA.
"The steering committee of the Commission for Women of the ELCA encourages this church as the Body of Christ to support our loving and courageous brothers and sisters of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn., in their wish to be an authorized exception to 'Vision and Expectations: Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America," said the committee's resolution.
"We feel it's important to have an open process and a continuing conversation," said the Rev. Janet M. Corpus, steering committee chair, Philadelphia. An exception would "open up an area of possibility, a model and an example without everyone having to agree," she said.
The members of St. Paul-Reformation are "like a scouting party exploring uncharted territory. We have something to learn from them," said Corpus. They have been involved in this process "with a lot of integrity" for many years, she said, "faithful in their relationship to the larger church, their synod and the ELCA."
The steering committee also nominated Chadwick for another = four-year=20 term as executive director of the Commission for Women. The ELCA Church Council will elect the executive director at its April meeting.
"Joanne Chadwick is 100 percent devoted to the work of the commission and represents us well ... not just throughout our church but in relation to other churches, nationally and internationally," said Corpus. "She strongly represents the mission of the commission and brings to us insight for our work from all her experience and knowledge."
The commission's steering committee plans to hold its next meeting here Oct. 20-22. The commission is to help the ELCA "to realize the full participation of women, to create a safe environment for women and to advocate justice for women in this church and in society."

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html