ELCA Synods Conclude 2002 Assemblies

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Topics including health concerns, ethnic discrimination, sexuality and debt retirement for seminary graduates were among many topics addressed by voting members at synod assemblies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) this summer.
The actions were reported to the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations, which maintains records from synod assemblies each year.
The ELCA is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop. Most synods hold annual assemblies in which they elect leaders, determine budgets and address topics of concern through resolutions or through memorials -- specific requests directed to the ELCA churchwide organization. The ELCA churchwide organization sends representatives to each synod assembly.
ELCA synod assemblies for 2002 were held between April 6 and June 23.
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod experienced the sudden death of a synod officer at the assembly. Stanley L. Greigg, vice president for 11 years, suffered a fatal heart attack June 13 at Roanoke College, an ELCA higher education institution in Salem, Va. Greigg, 71, was a former Democratic National Committee official. The assembly designated its Roanoke College Fund as the "Stanley L. Greigg Scholarship Fund."
Topics addressed by the synods included:
+ "Reconciling in Christ" designation: The Delaware-Maryland Synod rescinded its declaration in 2000 to become a "Reconciling in Christ" (RIC) synod. RIC is a program of Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA) that encourages churches to welcome people who are gay and lesbian into the life of the congregation. The synod changed its previous action to read "that this assembly urges all congregations of the Delaware-Maryland Synod to welcome gay and lesbian people." The assembly instructed its secretary to inform LC/NA of the synod's action and asked that it be removed from the list of RIC synods.
The Alaska Synod assembly encouraged synod congregations to adopt the RIC designation. When half of the synod's congregations adopt the designation, the synod will consider whether it wishes to become an RIC synod.
+ Called to Common Mission (CCM): CCM is a full-communion agreement of the ELCA and the Episcopal Church, allowing for exchange of ministries, and under certain circumstances, exchange of clergy. The Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod defeated a resolution that called for exceptions to ELCA ordination policies under CCM.
The Central-Southern Illinois Synod assembly defeated two resolutions related to CCM. One called for modifications to a bylaw adopted at the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly that allows for a candidate for ordination to be ordained by a pastor other than a bishop. The second resolution called for clarification of a key ELCA resolution, adopted by the ELCA Conference of Bishops (COB) and ELCA Church Council, that offered some understandings about CCM. The resolution is known as the "Tucson Resolution," adopted in March 1999 by the COB in Tucson, Ariz.
+ Gay/lesbian concerns: The South Dakota Synod adopted a resolution asking the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to call upon each ELCA congregation to ratify new policies regarding the blessing of same- gender relationships and any change in policy regarding ordination of people who are gay and lesbian in committed relationships. Currently, the church is engaged in a study of homosexuality, and any suggestions for change in ELCA policy must be presented to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. A task force and a study director are leading the study process.
The Central-Southern Illinois Synod defeated a resolution to reaffirm "biblical standards" of the church and condemn homosexual behavior. The Northeastern Iowa Synod asked the ELCA for access to information about the task force and study.
+ Health concerns: The Central-Southern Illinois Synod assembly defeated a resolution that would have asked the ELCA Board of Pensions for a "relief of conscience policy," allowing members and congregations to opt out of the ELCA health plan based on "conscientious objections" to funding for abortions.
The Southeastern Iowa Synod assembly adopted a resolution asking the ELCA "to advocate for change in Medicare coverage that would allow for reimbursement for affordable, quality, non-discriminatory health care for all Medicare-eligible patients without exception, regardless of their place of residence." It also requested members study resources related to an upcoming ELCA proposed social statement on health care.
+ Responses to terrorism/violence: The Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod assembly asked the United States to exercise restraint in responding to terrorism threats, and it encouraged congregations to engage in discussion of moral and ethical Christian responses to terrorism and global violence.
The Central States Synod assembly adopted two resolutions on this topic. In response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and the U.S. military response to the attacks, the assembly called for members to seek to better understand "Islamic and Jewish neighbors" and to pray "for an end to violence and for peace on earth." It encouraged members to study the ELCA social statement "For Peace in God's World."
In a related action, the Metropolitan New York Synod assembly called for support for military personnel and chaplains.
+ Middle East: The Upper Susquehanna Synod assembly encouraged prayers for peace in the Middle East and called for an international presence to establish and maintain peace in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The Delaware-Maryland Synod asked the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to provide financial and other assistance to rebuild the infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza, assist refugees and provide for stability for the Palestinians to "further peace and stability in the Holy Land."
+ Davey and Goliath: Two synods adopted resolutions expressing concern about the church's use of Davey and Goliath in a commercial for Mountain Dew, a popular soft drink. Davey and Goliath were stars of a church-sponsored stop-motion animation television series that promoted positive values and themes. Recently the ELCA began an effort to reintroduce the characters into popular culture and to create new episodes.
The Northeastern Iowa Synod asked the ELCA Church Council to review the process which led to the decision to allow the characters to appear in the Mountain Dew commercial. It called for ELCA synod bishops to be informed and the council to be involved in any future decisions about the sale of "copyrighted properties or symbols of the ELCA."
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod said the Mountain Dew advertisement conflicted with Davey and Goliath's purpose. The synod assembly said "current and future plans involving Davey and Goliath should not be compromised by delivering any message inconsistent with the purpose and mission of the ELCA, and any production or representation of Davey and Goliath that violates this purpose should cease." It forwarded its resolution to the Church Council for "consideration and possible action."
+ Debts for seminarians: The Northeastern Minnesota Synod assembly created a fund to reduce the seminary debts of new pastors. The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod called on its congregations to commit one Sunday to collect a special offering to benefits the synod's "Rostered Leaders Debt Reduction" ministry.
Other actions included:
+ The Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod assembly asked the ELCA to "conduct a study of the variety of pastoral call processes used by the church and to develop a churchwide handbook on the call process."
+ The Central-Southern Illinois Synod assembly adopted a plan to encourage the use of "Fair Trade Coffee and Tea," a project promoted by Lutheran World Relief. The synod also adopted a resolution to pray for the ELCA Evangelism Task F