'Hearing the Word' Topic for Expanded ELCA Lecture Series
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Hearing the Word: Lutheran Perspectives on Biblical Interpretation" is the theme for the 2009 Hein-Fry Lecture Series of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Usually the ELCA's eight seminaries host two or three speakers in the series each year, but this series will expand to five...
Robert Schaefer Named ELCA Executive for Worship and Liturgical Resources
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Robert G. Schaefer will become executive for worship and liturgical resources of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) effective March 1. Since 2004 Schaefer has been assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, based in Tampa, Fla. He succeeds the Rev. Michael...
ELCA Task Force Concludes Work on Social Statement, Ministry Standards
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Task Force for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality finalized its work on a proposed social statement on human sexuality, and it finalized a report with recommendations on ministry standards regarding possible changes to policies that preclude pastors in committed same-sex relationships...
ELCA Presiding Bishop, Others Urge Diplomacy to Maintain Gaza Cease-fire
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a Jan. 27 letter to U.S. President Barack H. Obama, U.S. Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders called for "urgent U.S. diplomacy" in cooperation with Egypt and others to ensure that an effective and sustainable cease-fire is maintained in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Rev. Mark...
Journal of Lutheran Ethics focuses on human rights, genetics
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service The February 2009 issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE) features discussion papers on the topic of human rights. "Violations of human rights are often violent, so advocating for and supporting human rights vigorously is one important way to help bring about...
Punxsutawney Lutherans Welcome Groundhog Day Visitors
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- For years on Feb. 2, Bud Dunkel put on a tuxedo and top hat, headed to the outskirts of his Pennsylvania hamlet, then hoisted its most famous resident into the air for spectators waiting to hear a weather prediction. Dunkel lives in Punxsutawney, home of Phil, the...
Women of the ELCA recommends 'Radical Welcome'
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service Hospitality is key to growing any organization, but Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is looking beyond hospitality to providing a "Radical Welcome." Women of the ELCA participants are discussing through May online and in person "Radical Welcome: Embracing God, The...
Lutheran school receives $1.25 million gift toward health center
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service Shelly Ellig, a member of Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D., donated $1.25 million dollars to the Centennial Campaign of Oak Grove Lutheran School, Fargo. Ellig owns Stop-N-Go convenience stores in 27 locations from Carrington, N.D., to Alexandria, Minn. He also owns Frank McKone Cigars....
ELCA, ELCIC Bishops Report on 2009 Bishops' Academy
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) released "Report and Reflections from the Bishops' Academy Visit to the Holy Land," an account of their recent visit to the Middle East. The Jan. 22 report was signed by the...
ELCA Joins Celebration of Ethiopian Church's 50th Anniversary
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (ELCA) -- Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined leaders of several churches and church organizations from Africa, Europe and North America here Jan. 17-18 for the "Golden Jubilee" celebration of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). In 2008 the growing 5-million member...
Ruth Clokey, Producer of ELCA's Davey and Goliath, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Ruth Parkander Clokey Goodell, producer of the animated television series, "Davey and Goliath," died Dec. 28, 2008, from Alzheimer's disease. She was 85. A memorial service was held Jan. 7. Clokey was also known as Ruth Clokey Goodell and Ruth Clokey. She was given story editor credit...
Lutheran Student Movement Votes to Align Itself with the ELCA
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Student Movement (LSM-USA) aligned itself more closely with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in one of several resolutions adopted here at its annual gathering Dec. 31-Jan. 4. Fifty colleges and universities sent 147 students who re-elected Craig Talmage as president. "We've been losing numbers...
ELCA Participates in Hurricane, Tropical Storm Relief Work in Haiti
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Disaster response work continues in Haiti, after tropical storms and hurricanes in the fall of 2008 killed more than 790 people and left 310 others missing. On Jan. 8 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $75,000 to support recovery efforts that will help...
ELCA Helps to Provide Aid for Civilians in Democratic Republic of the Congo
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $75,000 Jan. 8 to help meet the basic needs of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Months of heavy artillery fighting caused an estimated 250,000 people to flee their homes in Masisi and Rutshuru...
Lutherans to Learn about Climate Change and Poverty in Nicaragua
WASHINGTON (ELCA) - Ten members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will travel Jan. 19-29 to Nicaragua to examine the effects of climate change for people living in a developing country. They will also study how extreme poverty, hunger and climate change interrelate. "Participants will learn about the...
Lutherans Join in Presidential Inaugural Activities
CHICAGO (ELCA) - When Barack Obama is sworn into the nation's highest office Jan. 20, Carolyn Cosmos will be among an estimated 18,000 volunteers enlisted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to help with the crush of spectators. Cosmos joins a long list of members from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in...
Christians Express Fear, Concern to North American Lutheran Bishops
RAMALLAH, West Bank (ELCA) -- Israel is targeting the small Palestinian Christian community here, threatening a key connection to the West and worrying Christian leaders, said Dr. Rafiq Husseini, chief of staff to the president, Palestinian National Authority (PNA). He made the comment Jan. 13 in a meeting here with...
North American Lutheran Bishops Meet Key Muslim Leader, Discuss Peace
RAMALLAH, West Bank (ELCA) -- A key Muslim leader here told a group of seven North American Lutheran bishops Jan. 13 that Christians and Muslims must work together for peace and justice. Sheikh Tayseer Rajab Al-Tamini, supreme judge of the Islamic Shari'a Courts in Palestine, suggested that world Muslim and...
Lutherans Provide Funds to Support Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $50,000 Jan. 8 to secure food aid, trauma counseling and medical care in Gaza. Violence in Gaza has compromised the services of medical clinics and limited people's access to food, water and other basic necessities, according to...
Lutheran Bishops Plant Olive Trees, Pray at Israeli Separation Barrier
BEDDO, West Bank (ELCA) -- North American Lutheran bishops visited this small Palestinian village in the West Bank, northwest of Jerusalem, an area where the Israeli separation barrier cuts through Palestinian agricultural lands, making way for Israeli settlements to be constructed. Many of the bishops helped plant olive trees near...
