INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Voting members at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) churchwide assembly approved a number of memorials -- resolutions from synods -- in the afternoon session Aug. 13.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are about 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."
All but one of the resolutions came from the assembly's memorials committee.
The exception, proposed by a voting member from the floor, encouraged voting members to donate unused portions of their per diem allowances for meals during the assembly to the "Stand With Africa" campaign and the ELCA's World Hunger appeal. It was adopted by an overwhelming vote.
One of the other approved memorials pointed to humanitarian concerns about economic sanctions and embargoes against Iraq and Cuba, and calls for an end to them.
The one about Iraq notes the need for "safeguards to prevent Iraq from acquiring or developing weapons of mass destruction." The portion concerning Cuba commits the ELCA to work toward ending the embargo against Cuba and calls for "establishment of normal relations between the United States and Cuba through all appropriate channels."
The memorial also asks ELCA members to pray for citizens of both countries.
Other resolutions adopted Aug. 13:
* refer a memorial to the Church Council regarding how undesignated funds and bequests should be used;
* voice "serious concern about inadequate compensation and pensions" for church workers -- both active and retired. The measure encourages ELCA synods "to adopt adequate compensation guidelines" and congregations to meet or exceed them; and asks for gifts of more than $5 million for an ELCA Special Needs Retirement Fund.
* decline proposed amendments to the ELCA's "Social Statement on Abortion" and affirm actions of the 1999 churchwide assembly "to encourage continuing moral deliberation throughout this church on abortion"; and
* refer to the ELCA Division for Church in Society concerns of two synods about the application of the social statement on abortion to the medical plan for ELCA church workers. It also repeats the need for "continuing moral deliberation" about abortion. -- -- --
Information about assembly action 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
