CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have completed their assemblies for 2000. The last 35 assemblies, held since June 1, addressed such subjects as an ecumenical proposal for full communion with The Episcopal Church, USA, the blessing of same-gender relationships, the safety of children and world hunger. Six synods elected or re-elected bishops.
The ELCA Slovak Zion Synod conducted the last scheduled assembly of the year July 7-9 at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. The ELCA Caribbean Synod conducted two district assemblies.
Most synods reacted to a decision of the ELCA's 1999 Churchwide Assembly to adopt "Called to Common Mission" (CCM) -- a Lutheran proposal for "full communion" with the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal General Convention adopted the proposal July 8 in Denver.
Changes to the two churches' governing documents to enact the agreement go into effect Jan. 1. A festival worship service will celebrate the new relationship Jan. 6 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Among other things, full communion makes it possible for the ELCA and The Episcopal Church to exchange clergy and commits them to work together on future mission and service projects.
Some Lutherans continue to oppose CCM because the ELCA will receive the "historic episcopate," which is a requirement in the Episcopal Church for the exchange of clergy. Bishops who stand in a succession of bishops reaching back to the early days of the Christian Church will install new ELCA bishops. ELCA bishops will preside at the ordinations of new ELCA pastors.
Synod resolutions ranged in their reaction from declaring the "freedom to receive or reject the historic episcopate" to celebrating the Lutheran proposal and urging the Episcopal convention to adopt CCM.
Since June 1, 10 assemblies passed resolutions supporting CCM or defeated resolutions opposing the proposal. Another 10 synods passed resolutions offering alternatives to implementing CCM. Of the total 65 synods, 22 passed resolutions to modify the plan.
Some assemblies passed resolutions asking that CCM be implemented "in such a way that those persons who feel bound by conscience to remain outside the historic episcopate are able to remain within the ELCA without compromising their consciences." Others asked the church to implement "the full communion agreement in such a way as to provide for full participation in the ELCA by those who cannot accept the mandatory imposition of the historic episcopate."
The Upper Susquehanna Synod adopted a "Call to Prayer" which asks congregations of the north-central Pennsylvania synod to pray "for unity, and for the healing of stresses and factionalism which have come upon this young church as we deal with theological issues and differing opinions in regard to the adoption of Called to Common Mission."
In other actions, several synods passed resolutions dealing with same-gender sexual relationships. The Metropolitan Chicago Synod asked the church to develop a rite for blessing same-sex unions. The Metropolitan New York Synod asked the ELCA to establish a Commission for Gays and Lesbians.
The Delaware-Maryland Synod resolved to be "Reconciled in Christ" -- declaring that gay and lesbian people are welcome members of the synod upon making the same affirmation of faith as others. The Alaska and Northeastern Pennsylvania Synods began the education process to possibly vote on Reconciled in Christ status in 2001.
The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin committed itself to study actions taken earlier by the neighboring Greater Milwaukee Synod to recognize and affirm "the blessing of committed same-gender relationships by pastors of this synod after counseling with the couple seeking such a blessing."
On other topics, the Delaware-Maryland and Western North Dakota Synods called on the church to take decisive "action in the current farm crisis." The Central States Synod implemented a "rural ministry vision statement" for ELCA congregations in Kansas and Missouri.
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., and Southwestern Pennsylvania Synods passed resolutions to promote gun safety. The Washington resolution called for "the use of trigger locks whenever possible, the use of new technologies for gun safety and background checks, and timely prosecution of any person using a firearm illegally."
The South Dakota Synod supported congregational programs of youth mentoring, especially for youth returning from detention facilities. The East-Central Synod of Wisconsin urged its members to get involved in correctional ministries in Wisconsin prisons.
The Delaware-Maryland, North Carolina and Upper Susquehanna Synods asked lawmakers in their states to impose moratoriums on carrying out death sentences. Speakers at the North Carolina assembly said a moratorium would provide time for the state to put a just system in place that would not execute innocent people.
The Alaska Synod asked its state legislature to increase the alcohol tax as a means to reduce consumption while raising revenue to treat alcohol abuse.
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod asked the ELCA for a message on the victimization of youth by the "sex industry."
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod expressed its support for an ELCA consultation on cloning to be held this October in Chicago, and urged its congregations to discuss cloning and related topics.
Most assemblies gave special recognition to their women clergy in celebrating 2000 as the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women in North American Lutheranism. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod voted to "express its sincere appreciation to ordained women faithfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and serving the people of this synod."
Many synods adopted resolutions encouraging their congregations to join the ELCA's Campaign for Safe Havens by declaring themselves to be "Safe Haven" for all children. The campaign assists congregations as they work and pray "for the well-being of all children but in particular for the poorest and most at risk."
Many of the assemblies also passed resolutions renewing their synod's efforts in fighting hunger locally and globally. Most of those resolutions challenged the congregations to increase their giving to the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal.
Five synods elected new bishops since June 1 to succeed retiring bishops. The Rev. David L. deFreese will succeed the Rev. Richard N. Jessen as bishop of the Nebraska Synod. The Rev. Warren D. Freiheit will succeed the Rev. Alton Zenker as bishop of the Central-Southern Illinois Synod. The Rev. James A. Justman will succeed the Rev. John C. Beem as bishop of the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin. The Rev. H. Gerard Knoche Jr. will succeed the Rev. George P. Mocko as bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod. The Rev. Margaret G. Payne will succeed the Rev. Robert L. Isaksen as bishop of the New England Synod.
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod re-elected the Rev. Stanley N. Olson to a second six-year term as bishop. -- -- --
The ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs is providing links to information about synod assembly actions dealing with "Called to Common Mission" from http://www.elca.org/ea/resolutions/index.html on the ELCA Web site.
EDITORS: ELCA News & Information issued an earlier story summarizing
actions of synod assemblies completed before June 1. That story is
available at
http://listserv.elca.org/scripts/wa.exe?A2=3Dind0006&L=3Delcanews&P=3D1724
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
