ORLANDO, Fla. (ELCA) -- With a message of unity and
commitment to "inter-generational conversation" members of the
Young Adult Convocation delivered a report Aug. 13 to the 2005
Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the World Center Marriott
and Convention Center. About 2,300 people are participating,
including 1,018 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial
assembly is "Marked with the Cross of Christ Forever."
The report began with a slide-show presentation illustrating
some of the activities taking place during the convocation -- an
event that lifts up the voices of Lutherans, 19 to 30 years of
age, during churchwide assemblies. More than 60 young adults
participated in the convocation.
"We ask for stronger communication between the wider church"
and young adults, and "invite" each other into "relationship and
dialogue" that will bring more "unity in the church," said Lonna
Field, ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod.
"We celebrate our diversity," said Joshua Buzzard, ELCA
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, adding that young adults have
"listened with an open heart and mind" to the business of the
assembly.
"We challenge the church to engage in an inter-generational
conversation," Shavaughn Joyce, ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod,
told the assembly.
Members of the convocation prayed with the assembly in
Arabic, English and Spanish.
Goals of the convocation are to:
+ affirm the presence and concerns of young adults in the ELCA
+ assist the 65 synods of the ELCA in identifying and developing
young adult leaders
+ examine the diversity of perspectives
+ create a safe and loving environment that "builds up" all
people
+ explore what it means to be "Marked with the Cross of Christ
Forever" -- the theme of the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ engage in fellowship
+ empower young adults to return home with a call to action
+ provide opportunities for young adults to learn about
churchwide ministries.
Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/05 on the Web.
For more information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
