Lutheran Men in Mission hosts 'Mini-Gathering' in Washington state
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service The men of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Marysville, Wash., plan to host 200 people March 24 for the third "mini-gathering" of 2007 for Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "Building for the Future" is "a...
Lutherans Advocate for Children's Issues at Ecumenical Advocacy Days
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- More than 1,000 U.S. church members, including more than 100 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), participated in the Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice conference here March 9-12. Under the theme "...and How are the Children?" participants learned about issues...
Lutheran Students Bring Hope to the U.S. Gulf Coast
NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- Dressed in white a hard hat with a respirator over her face, Lisa Evans, a senior at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., said, "We're here to bring hope. We can make a big difference in just one week." Standing in front of a Hurricane Katrina-damaged house March...
Women of the ELCA Plans Five 'Act Boldly' Events
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the women's organization of the ELCA, is sponsoring five "Act Boldly" events on three weekends in 2007. The Rev. Dawn D. Hansen, director for programs, Women of the ELCA, said, "These events not only carry...
Both Parties Appeal Ruling of ELCA Discipline Hearing Committee
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Both parties in a discipline case in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) filed appeals with the ELCA Committee on Appeals in early March, according to the ELCA Office of the Secretary. The appeals were filed by the Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling, pastor of St. John...
Margarita Martinez, Bishop of ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Margarita Martinez, bishop of the Caribbean Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died March 11 of cancer in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She was 59. Funeral services will be held March 13-14 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Carolina, Puerto Rico. "Bishop Margarita Martinez challenged...
ELCA Board of Pensions promotes wellness on the 'Road to Emmaus'
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Board of Pensions is promoting wellness among Lutheran clergy, church employees and others interested in finding a healthy balance in their lives. It is leading a seven-week campaign, "The Road to Emmaus," during the Easter season, April...
Online registration for ELCA Global Mission Event now open
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service Online registration opened March 8 for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) 2007 Global Mission Event (GME) July 19-22 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, said Sunitha Mortha, associate director for global events and mission interpretation, ELCA Global Mission. The theme...
Lutheran Theological Center leader on 'Day 1' broadcasts
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service The Rev. Lawrence J. Clark, executive director, Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta (LTCA), is the speaker March 25 and April 1 on "Day 1," a nationally broadcast weekly radio program and podcast. Each program includes a sermon by Clark and an interview with him...
Bishops Learn of Successes, Possible Changes in Lutheran Disaster Response
GALVESTON, Texas (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), expressed thanks for the generosity of ELCA members who gave millions of dollars and volunteered their time to help residents along the U.S. Gulf Coast recover from the devastating 2005 hurricane...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Announces Evangelism Grants to Synods
GALVESTON, Texas (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), told the ELCA Conference of Bishops that each of the 65 ELCA synods will be sent a one-time $10,000 grant from the churchwide organization to be used for "evangelical outreach." Hanson...
ELCA Board of Pensions Proposes Wellness Plan in 2008
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Board of Pensions approved a proposal to move the church's health plan toward a wellness plan. The trustees met here Feb. 23-25 and took several actions, including proposed plan amendments for 2008 that will put greater emphasis on...
ELCA's Texas Lutheran University Names Ann Svennungsen President
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- On Feb. 26 the board of regents of Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas, named the Rev. Ann M. Svennungsen to become the university's 14th president. Effective July 1, Svennungsen will be the first woman president in TLU's 116-year history. TLU is one of 28 colleges and universities...
Louisiana Lutherans Voice Appreciation, Frustration Over Hurricane Response
KENNER, La. (ELCA) -- Pastors and lay members of congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in southern Louisiana met here Feb. 22 with the ELCA presiding bishop. In a public forum, they shared a mixture of joys and thanks, as well as concerns and frustrations about the...
College-Age Lutherans Head to U.S. Gulf Coast for Spring Break
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 800 college and university students from across the country are traveling to the U.S. Gulf Coast during spring break to rebuild homes damaged during the 2005 hurricane season. Through "What a Relief!" -- an opportunity for students and others in campus communities to get involved...
LIRS Report Reveals Mistreatment of Detained Immigrant Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- A report released Feb. 22 details "disturbing" conditions at the two U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facilities which house families undergoing immigration proceedings. "Locking Up Family Values: The Detention of Immigrant Families," released by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and the Women's Commission for...
ELCA'S Lenoir-Rhyne College beneficiary of substantial gift
by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service* Two graduates of Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C., have given the school a $5.1 million gift, the largest financial gift in the college's history. Lenoir-Rhyne College is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. John and Marilyn Moretz,...
Lutheran Disaster Response to Expend $8.3 Million for Hurricane Response
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In 2007 Lutheran Disaster Response -- a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod -- is expending $8.3 million in response to the 2005 hurricane season. Since that season Lutherans have raised more than $26 million to organize and fund...
ELCA college presidents sign 'Presidents Climate Commitment'
by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service Three Lutheran college presidents signed the "American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment," a pledge to take a leadership role in addressing global warming. Two presidents who signed as members of the commitment's "Leadership Circle" are Dr. Richard L. Torgerson of Luther College,...
ELCA Presiding Bishop, Other Leaders Call for Compassionate Federal Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined leaders of four other Christian denominations Feb. 15 in sending a letter to all members of the U.S. Congress, calling for a compassionate and just federal budget in 2008. "As...
