INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Leaders from the Reformed Churches, the Moravian Church and the Episcopal Church, greeted the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2001 Churchwide Assembly on Saturday, Aug. 12, strengthening and supporting the voting members in their mission here in Indianapolis.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are nearly 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
The Rev. John Thomas, president and general minister of the United Church of Christ represented the Reformed Churches (the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ). Thomas told the assembly, "Let this full communion relationship draw us beyond ourselves to a wider horizon where the issues of violence and racism and poverty threaten to overwhelm us. Let the experience at the [communion] table not be one of personal refreshment but one of mission, to carry us into the world so threatened to be overcome by violence. Let us look our day full in the face and participate in the joyous thud of division. Let this be a good day of full communion."
The Rev. Burke Johnson, president of the northern province of the Moravian Church, said " I bring you greetings in the name of Christ. Our full communion continues to journey forward as we complement our understandings of the church. We [Moravians] too, have many differences among us about biblical interpretation, ordination and issues of charismatic worship, among others. We are one when we believe that God loves us; that the power of love and faith do transcend the artificial distinctions that cause separation."
The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations, the Episcopal Church said, "Thank you for my opportunity to stand before you to assure you of our commitment to making Christ known. I bring you greetings from the Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Presiding Bishop and Primate, and from lay and ordained Episcopalians across this country." -- -- --
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
