CHICAGO (ELCA) -- During the 7th plenary session of the 2007
Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) Aug. 9, representatives from church bodies in full
communion with the ELCA extended their greetings to assembly
voting members.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall.
About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,068 ELCA voting
members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Living in God's
Amazing Grace: Thanks be to God!"
The Rev. Gary L. Harke, executive director, Pennsylvania
Council of Churches, spoke to the assembly on behalf of the
Moravian Church in North America. "We have a long way to go in
our relationship to strengthen our call to become mutual
colleagues, but all join me in blessing your work with us," said
Harke.
The Rev. Harold Delhagen, Pultneyville Reformed Church,
Pultneyville, N.Y., addressed the assembly on behalf of the
Reformed Churches, which includes the United Church of Christ,
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and Reformed Church in America.
"We are family engaged in a sacred relationship, and I come to
you with deep gratitude for a full communion relationship," said
Delhagen.
Bishop Christopher Epting, deputy for ecumenical and
interfaith relations, spoke to the assembly on behalf of the
Episcopal Church. "While some of us continue to be envious of
Lutherans and have much to learn, we too are grateful for our
full communion relationship with you," said Epting.
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Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at
http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
* Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech
communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
