INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received greetings from the Rev. Patrice Rosner, director for ministries in Christian education, National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCC); the Most Rev. Tod Brown, chair of the bishops committee for ecumenical and interreligious affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Roman Catholic Church; and the Rev. Telmor Sartison, national bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) Aug 11.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There 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."
Rosner spoke for Dr. Robert Edgar, NCC general secretary, who is in South Korea helping Habitat for Humanity build houses, "We continue to work together sharing resources and strengths in the areas of mission, faith and order, justice ministries, our 'Decade to Overcome Poverty' and efforts to expand the ecumenical table. We know the Holy Spirit in you will inspire your work here, enriching and extending the work of us all."
Brown noted, "Our dialogues together have been most productive. When H. George Anderson attended [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops] meeting, it was the first time your church leader joined us. It was productive to the faith of our people and deepening the spiritual unity among us."
Brown continued, "The Joint Declaration [on the Doctrine of Justification] in 1999, was the first of many agreements we hope to have with our churches together. We are grateful that this has increased the ecumenical ardor in other communities. We draw closer together, but we still remain church-dividing. Other churches who seek the unity of the church see this agreement. I assure you support from the Catholic Church."
Sartison told the assembly of the ELCIC's convention in Waterloo, Ontario, in July, at which the church body adopted "The Waterloo Declaration--Called to Full Communion" with the Anglican Church in Canada. Sartison said, "We discussed the Waterloo agreement together and in both assemblies the agreement was made by 97 percent or more. There was stunned silence. Then clapping on and on and on, and the spontaneous singing of 'The Church's One Foundation.' We danced and danced in the arena."
Sartison concluded sharing his retirement plans and his advice for bishop-elect Hanson, "You were voted in on a very slim margin. I was too in 1985 when elected a bishop, and in 1993 when elected a national bishop. It is the church's way of choosing. But now that it has been done, you are the one in their prayers. You are the one they will support. Say, Amen." -- -- --
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
