ELCA Hosts Hearings on Health, Health Care
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As part of a four-year study process to develop a social statement on health and health care, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is hosting a series of hearings across the United States. The hearings are to begin collecting reactions to "Health, Healing and Health Care,"...
Lutherans Help Make Winning Touchdown for 'Souper Bowl'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As the New England Patriots of the National Football League claimed victory on "Super Bowl Sunday" Feb. 3, thousands of Lutherans also made the "winning touchdown" in a challenge of a different kind. Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) participated in "Souper Bowl of...
ELCA Hosts Consultation on Faith and Science
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is becoming more involved in ethical discussions involving science and technology, said Dr. Grace Wolf-Chase, research astronomer, Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, and research scientist, University of Chicago. "Being 'science literate' enhances the credibility of the church," said Wolf-Chase, a...
Lutheran Services in America Welcomes Towey Appointment
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The president and chair of Lutheran Services in America (LSA) expressed their pleasure that James Towey will head the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Jill Schumann, LSA president and CEO, Baltimore, and the Rev. Nelson C. Meyer, LSA chair and president of Lutheran Social...
Lutherans in Argentina Call on Their North American Companion
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida (United Evangelical Lutheran Church) (IELU), Buenos Aires, Argentina, are calling on the 5.13 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to accompany them as they face "a disaster situation not caused by natural catastrophe" but by "a catastrophe of an economic...
Lutheran Vespers Makes Plans to Solidify Radio Ministry
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Vespers, the radio ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is putting plans in place aimed at increasing listener participation and building an endowment that will assure adequate finances for the ministry's future. The Rev. Walt Wangerin Jr., an ELCA pastor and Lutheran Vespers...
Lutheran Ethicists Discuss Complexities of World Economics
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Thirty-two Lutheran ethicists explored economic globalization from several perspectives Jan. 9-11 in Canada at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre, Surrey, British Columbia. Speakers opened conversations around a 28-page publication of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) -- "Engaging Economic Globalization as a Communion: An LWF Working Paper." The...
Gustavus Adolphus College President Announces Resignation
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. Axel D. Steuer, the 13th president of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., announced he will resign as president at the end of the current academic year, the college reported in a Jan. 21 news release. Gustavus Adolphus College is one of 28 colleges and universities...
ELCA in Partnership with Churches Uniting in Christ
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ELCA) -- After almost 40 years of talks, the nine church bodies that formed the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) became Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC). A series of events here Jan.18-21, over the holiday weekend named for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., drew attention to the...
ELCA Hosts "Youth Extravaganza" February 1-4 in Houston
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who are committed to strengthening the Christian faith lives of youth and young adults will gather for "Youth Extravagana 2002" Feb. 1-4 at the Adam's Mark Hotel, Houston. "The purpose of the extravaganza is to bring together youth...
Lutherans Provide Aid in Democratic Republic of Congo
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) contributed $100,000 of the church's International Disaster Response fund to support recovery efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after the Nyiragongo volcano erupted Jan. 17 killing at least 45 people. Rivers of lava flowed into nearby villages,...
Wagner to Retire as Director of ELCA Division for Ministry
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Joseph M. Wagner will retire at the end of May 2002 as executive director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Ministry, a position he has held since November 1987. He informed the division's staff and board of his decision on Jan....
Lutheran College Students Gather in the Desert
PHOENIX (ELCA) -- Lutheran students from across the United States met here Dec. 28-Jan. 1 for the annual National Gathering for Lutheran College and University Students hosted by the Lutheran Student Movement-USA (LSM). The gathering brought about 550 students and campus ministry staff to the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort...
Childs to Lead ELCA Studies on Sexuality
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. James M. Childs Jr. will direct a four- year study on homosexuality for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The study is meant to help the church answer questions about the ordination of homosexual clergy and the blessing of same- gender relationships. The study...
ELCA Mission Builders Needed for 2002 Projects
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Mission Builders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) hope to work with a dozen congregations in 2002, building or rehabilitating church-related facilities. Dean Hiner, North Platte, Neb., Mission Builders program director, said more congregations have asked for help, but 20 volunteers are still needed to...
Sept. 11 Disaster Response Named Top ELCA Story of 2001
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The response to the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York and attack on the Pentagon near Arlington, Va., on Sept. 11 was one of the most significant news events that involved the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 2001, according to the ELCA...
Lutheran Leaders Find Ways to Nurture Children
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Leaders in children's ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered for a "Future Search" conference, "Treasured and Safe: A Future for Children in Families, Congregations and Communities," here Jan. 4-6. Participants discussed ways in which the ELCA can provide direction to families, congregations and...
ELCA Publisher Discontinues 'Sunday/Monday WOMAN'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Augsburg Fortress, publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) announced it will discontinue publication of Sunday/Monday WOMAN, a non-denominational, consumer magazine it launched in September 2000. Publication of the magazine had become a larger project than the company was able to sustain financially, said...
ELCA Mission Investment Fund Introduces New Interest Rates
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Mission Investment Fund (MIF) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) announced new interest rates effective Jan. 1 for its adjustable-rate and fixed-rate investments. "When they invest in the Fund, ELCA members, congregations and ELCA-related institutions earn interest on their financial resources while they help...
Lutherans Provide Funds for Refugee Relief in Angola
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $50,000 Dec. 28 to support the work of Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in the Angola provinces of Moxico and Lunda Sul. People there have fled their homes as a result of civil conflict. Angola is...
