by Katherine R. Hinck*, ELCA News Service
The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, bishop of the Episcopal
Diocese of Nevada, was elected the first female presiding bishop
of the Episcopal Church on June 18 at the church's 75th General
Convention in Columbus, Ohio. The Rev. Lowell Almen, secretary,
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), attended the
conference and relayed ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's
delight in hearing news of the election, according to an
Episcopal News Service release.
"We expect the decision will be highly regarded by member
churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)," Almen said.
"Many already ordain women as pastors. A few do not, although the
encouragement continues for those churches to receive the gifts
of women in ordained ministry." The LWF is a global communion
representing 62.3 million of the world's nearly 65.4 million
Lutherans. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Almen said the full-communion relationship between the ELCA and
the Episcopal Church, described in the document "Called to Common
Mission," has opened the way for some very significant
cooperation, ministry and outreach, the release said. "We
continue to rejoice in the ELCA for the adoption of that document
and the relationship that continues to grow between the two
churches," Almen said.
*Katherine R. Hinck is a senior journalism and religion major at
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer she is an
intern with the ELCA News Service. Information was provided by
the Episcopal News Service.
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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
