ELCA Bishops Told of Enthusiastic Response to New Worship Book
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" -- the title of the newly introduced worship book for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada -- has generated orders of 568,000 pew copies through Oct. 6, exceeding early sales forecasts, said the Rev. Michael Burk,...
ELCA Bishops Told of Urgent Need for Health, Wellness of Leaders
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Citing statistics gleaned from health analysis reports, the president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Board of Pensions said the church may not be able to grow unless its professional leaders embrace a stronger health and wellness discipline. John G. Kapanke made the comment Oct....
No Damage to ELCA Churches on Hawaii Following Strong Earthquake
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Murray D. Finck, bishop of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), reported no structural damage to churches of the ELCA on the islands of Hawaii after a strong earthquake cut power to most of the state Oct. 15. Finck was...
ELCA Presiding Bishop, Secretary Announce Future Intentions
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced he will be available for possible election to another six-year term as presiding bishop. Hanson, who was elected presiding bishop at the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, made the announcement as part...
Lutherans offer 'Hope for the Prairie' in the 21st century
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is hosting "Hope for the Prairie: Vital Congregations and Leaders for the 21st Century" Nov. 5-6 in Aberdeen, S.D. The event will focus on the future of Lutheran congregations and ministries in North and South Dakota...
Women of the ELCA endorses Children's Sabbath each October
by Frank Imhof, ELCA News Service Women of the ELCA, the women's organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is one of more than 200 denominations, faith groups and religious organizations observing Children's Sabbath each year on the third weekend in October. The Children's Defense Fund's 15th annual...
ELCA reports survey results on gender issues in ministry
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its predecessor church bodies began ordaining women in 1970. On the 35th anniversary of that event, ELCA Research and Evaluation conducted a survey "to describe differences and similarities in the ministerial experiences between rostered men and...
Whisenant appointed acting president of LWR
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service Jeff Whisenant, vice president for finance and administration of Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, has been appointed to serve as acting president of LWR beginning Nov. 1. Kathryn Wolford resigned as LWR president effective Oct. 31 to become president of The McKnight Foundation,...
Women of the ELCA Raises Up Healthy Women and Girls
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls" is the health initiative of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The women's organization of the ELCA gathered about 60 women and girls for its first Healthy Hearts Event here Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Worship, prayer, singing, yoga, water...
Lutherans Pray, Donate Funds on Behalf of Amish Schoolhouse Tragedy
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran Disaster Response Network of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is urging Lutherans to pray for the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pa., after a gunman invaded the West Nickel Mines Amish School there Oct. 2. Three students died...
Starting New Congregations a Priority for the ELCA
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Starting new congregations in the United States and the Caribbean is a priority of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). According to the Rev. Ruben Duran, "We're in the business of forming healthy, vital and mission-minded communities of faith that see themselves not as an end...
ELCA's Carthage College gets $5 million gift
by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service The Tarble Foundation, Los Angeles, gave $5 million to Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis., for development of a sports and performance arena, according to a college news release. Carthage College is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America...
ELCA congregations encouraged to 'STAND UP' against poverty
by Annie Lynsen, ELCA Washington Office Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have an opportunity to help set an official Guinness World Record on Oct. 15 by standing up for a moment during worship. The worldwide 'STAND UP' effort is sponsored by the Millennium Campaign. Established by...
Foundation of the ELCA, Development Services Leadership Transitioning
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of the trustees of the Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected Cynthia J. Halverson as president-elect of the Foundation at a special meeting Sept. 14. In addition the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, appointed Halverson concurrently to the role...
Lutherans Reflect on the Vocation of a Leader
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Bringing forth and supporting faithful, wise and courageous leaders is one of the strategic directions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Staff of the ELCA churchwide organization, professors and administrative staff of ELCA seminaries, college and universities, bishops and others gathered here Sept. 22-23 in...
Lutherans Support Recovery Efforts in Guatemala, India
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided funds Sept. 25 to support recovery operations in Guatemala and India, where severe weather destroyed crops and property in both countries. In Guatemala tropical storms and strong rain have destroyed crops, producing a food shortage,...
Testing a Retreat Model for Lutheran Men's Ministries
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service The board of Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM), the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is getting together Oct. 13-14 for a retreat and business meeting in Buena Vista, Colo. Heber Rast, LMM president, Cameron, S.C., said Lyman Coleman, founder...
ELCA Publisher releases 'The Lutheran Handbook on Marriage'
by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Minneapolis, released "The Lutheran Handbook on Marriage," a humorous and serious look at marriage. The book is part of a series of popular books that began with the publisher's 2005...
ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality Works to Finalize a Third Study
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The task force coordinating studies in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) concerning human sexuality met here Sept. 15-17 to work on finalizing the text of "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality" -- a study guide designed to engage the...
Lutheran Bishop of Jerusalem Visits Damaged Churches in Nablus
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), went Sept. 17 to Nablus, West Bank, from Jerusalem with the heads of three other Christian churches there. Fire and bullets scarred four church buildings in Nablus from Sept....
