by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
"Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor: Lutheran Youth Talk
about Human Sexuality" is now available to senior-high-school-age
members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Issued by the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, the
75-page resource is available as a free download (PDF) at
http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney/youth/JTF-youth.pdf
on the church's Web site and was mailed Sept. 10 to the 10,549
congregations of the ELCA. The resource is an adaptation of the
adult study, "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans
Talk about Human Sexuality."
The resource engages senior-high Lutherans in conversation about
human sexuality through music, movie clips, stories from young
people and more. Bible study, prayer and ELCA social teachings
provide a foundation for youth as they reflect on such topics as
"when is sex okay," "how do creation and sin impact my view of
sex," and "how do I respond to the way sexuality is depicted in
popular culture." The resource offers six sessions, each with a
handout to help families continue the discussion. Youth and
their leaders will be able to log on to an accompanying Web site
and share ideas in an online discussion forum, said the Rev.
Kaari M. Reierson, associate director for studies, ELCA Church in
Society.
"Through 'Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor,' senior high
youth can provide written feedback to the Task Force on ELCA
Studies on Sexuality while the task force writes the first draft
and proposed social statement on human sexuality," said Reierson.
Responses from youth are due Dec. 15, 2007. A proposed social
statement on human sexuality is expected in early 2009.
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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
