Lutherans Continue to 'Stand With Africa' in Unique Ways
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans give special emphasis to relief and development work in Africa, an often forgotten continent. Working with churches and communities to overcome AIDS, producing enough food to eat and sell, and building peace are goals Lutherans in the United States are striving to achieve as they "Stand...
Rimbo Re-Elected Bishop of ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Robert A. Rimbo, 53, was elected April 29 to a second six-year term as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) during the synod's assembly at Greater Grace Temple City of David, Detroit. Rimbo received 193 votes on...
LCMS Praesidium Suggests Cooperative Ministry with ELCA Continues
ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- The Praesidium of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS) is recommending to this year's LCMS convention that current LCMS working relationships with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) be continued. At the same time, the Praesidium -- the Synod's president and five vice presidents --...
Lutherans Support Relief Efforts in Haiti
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed $50,000 to support relief efforts in Haiti. The recent political upheaval surrounding the departure of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has created a humanitarian crisis there. "An estimated 3 million people have been affected by the crisis,"...
Lutherans Participate in Food Aid to North Korea
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed $60,000 for food aid in North Korea. Since 1995 North Korea has experienced natural disasters, crop failures and economic decline. The government has not been able to provide assistance for people, especially children, in North Korea....
Lutherans Strive to Raise $1.75 million for 'Vision for Mission'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will strive to raise $1.75 million this year for "Vision for Mission," a special offering designated to support the church's domestic and global ministries. "Vision for Mission offers an annual opportunity for members of the church to give...
Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue Completes Round Ten
MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- With a roll-call vote here on April 23, members of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue in the United States unanimously approved "The Church as Koinonia of Salvation: Its Structures and Ministries," a 69-page document. The document is the fruit of the dialogue's 10th round, explaining why both traditions...
Lutheran Young Adults Set to Serve Around the World
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 40 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), ages 19-30, will offer their time and talents in congregations, church schools and social ministry settings around the world this summer as part of "Young Adults in Global Mission." Established in 1999 with 10 participants,...
ELCA Council Affirms Committee Ruling on DHES 'Election'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Without comment, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirmed a ruling of its Legal and Constitutional Review Committee that voided an action of the board of the Division for Higher Education and Schools (DHES). The board acted to 'elect' the division's executive...
ELCA Council Updated on Renewing Worship, Health Plan Redesign
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received an update on the church's project to develop the "next generation of worship resources," and it approved changes to the ELCA medical and dental benefits plan. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors...
Lutherans Manage Tornado Relief Work In Utica, Ill.
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is organizing relief and recovery work in Utica, Ill., after 19 tornadoes struck the town and other areas of Illinois April 20. Utica is 90 miles southwest of...
Lutheran Communicators Honored For Their Work
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Several members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took awards home from the Associated Church Press (ACP) Convention April 18-21 at the Novotel Toronto Centre, Toronto. The ACP presented awards in 72 categories of religious journalism work in 2003. The ACP is an 88-year-old professional...
ELCA Council Adopts Message On Terrorism
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted "Living in a Time of Terrorism" as a message of the ELCA. The message is based on "For Peace in God's World," a social statement the ELCA adopted in 1995, which called the church "to...
ELCA Council Endorses 'Living In God's Amazing Grace' Tag Line
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) endorsed "Living in God's amazing grace" as the tag line for the churchwide organization. The phrase is intended to help build the church's identity with both member and non-members. The council requested that the tag line...
ELCA Council Endorses Timeline For Studies On Sexuality
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) endorsed a timeline for communicating the report and recommendations of the church's Task Force for the Studies on Sexuality. The 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is to receive the report and consider the recommendations on whether or...
Plaintiffs Get $8 Million In ELCA Portion Of Texas Civil Case Settlement
CHICAGO (ELCA) – Fourteen plaintiffs and their attorneys will get $8 million in a settlement of a civil suit against the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Initially, all of the ELCA portion of the settlement will be paid from insurance funds, said John R. Brooks,...
ELCA Council Supports Vision for Mission, New Funding Initiative
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pledged a goal of 100 percent participation in the ELCA's Vision for Mission offering, approved a new mission funding initiative and adopted a "continuing resolution" for the establishment of a "development services" unit at the churchwide...
ELCA Council Cuts Spending, Staff, Programs
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) authorized the churchwide organization to spend $80.4 million this fiscal year, down $1.1 million from the $81.5 million it authorized for 2004 at its November 2003 meeting. As a result of the action, 20 positions in...
ELCA Council Reaffirms 'Stand With Africa'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirmed the continuation of "Stand With Africa" as a second-mile- giving opportunity and reaffirmed the ELCA's commitment to accompany companion churches and partner agencies in Africa. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and...
ELCA Council Hears Hope for ELCA-LCMS Shared Ministries
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- It appears "pastoral working relationships" through shared ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS) will continue, the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA Secretary, reported to the ELCA Church Council. The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors...
