ELCA Publishing House Adopts Acquisition Strategy
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The board of trustees for Augsburg Fortress Publishers adopted a strategy to acquire, when necessary, related businesses to help it expand its publishing capabilities. The company's plan to acquire other businesses is part of Augsburg Fortress' strategic plan adopted by the board in early 1999. Augsburg Fortress...
ELCA Bishops Support Women's Event, Hear Women of Color Clergy
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirmed a plan to organize a leadership event for women Aug. 6-8, 2001, and committed -- as they are able -- to provide financial support and help recruit participants. The event will precede the 2001...
Lutherans Help with Relief Efforts in Xenia, Ohio
CHICAGO (ELCA) Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutherann Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is participating in relief efforts in Xenia, Ohio, after a tornado and severe storms struck the town Sept. 20. The tornado killed one person. Initial assessments indicate that more...
The Middle East to Be Topic for Lutherans November 3-5
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (ELCJ), will discuss the present situation of Christians living in the Middle East at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) 2000 Multicultural Mission Institute Nov. 3-5 at The Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel,...
ELCA-LCMS Discussion Panel Holds Third of Three Meetings
ELCA-LCMS DISCUSSION PANEL HOLDS THIRD OF THREE MEETINGS CHICAGO -- Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) discussed their churches' ecumenical goals and views on the "Church Growth Movement" here Oct. 2-3. The last of three scheduled meetings included talk about the...
ELCA Bishops Advise Council on Issues Related to Pastors' Call
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) advised the ELCA Church Council of its preferences on possible constitutional language that could give a synodical bishop and an advisory committee appointed by the bishop greater latitude in dealing with conflicts involving a congregation...
ELCA Bishops Learn Officer Won't Seek Re-election, Finances Good
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Dr. Addie J. Butler of Philadelphia, announced she will not seek re-election when her six-year term ends in 2003. Butler announced her decision in a report to the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The Conference of Bishops...
ELCA Bishops to Explore Mission with Large Congregations
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a proposal that it will explore the possibility of a formal consultation with leaders of large congregations in the ELCA. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body that includes the bishops of the...
ELCA Bishops Advise Board on Ordination Standards Proposal
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) agreed with a recommendation to the ELCA Church Council from the ELCA Division for Ministry that a proposal that would allow the bishops to grant exceptions to the church's ordination standards be declined. The proposal...
Travel Restrictions Affect Jerusalem Hospital; ELCA Pastors to Stay
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Augusta Victoria Hospital, a Lutheran-owned and -operated health care facility in Jerusalem, was unable to get patient referrals or schedule diagnostic or surgical procedures because of travel restrictions for people entering the city, said Craig Kippels, hospital administrator, in an Oct. 17 news release. Augusta Victoria Hospital...
ELCA Bishops Suggest Possibilities for CCM Exceptions to Council
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) suggested the presiding bishop and synod council be consulted should a candidate for ordination in the ELCA wish to be ordained without the presence of a synod bishop. The bishops offered the advice to the...
ELCA's Susquehanna University Names New President
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dr. L. Jay Lemons, 41, Wise, Va., was named 14th president of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., on Oct. 1. Susquehanna is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Lemons succeeds Dr. Joel L. Cunningham, who left Susquehanna -- after serving...
Lutherans Continue Effort to End U.S. Military Activity on Vieques
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 20 Spanish-speaking staff and leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) churchwide organization met here Oct. 5 to discuss how best the church can continue its effort to put an end to U.S. military training on Vieques, an island eight miles east of...
ELCA Bishops Support Mideast Peace Efforts, Pray for all Involved
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [ELCA] encouraged President Clinton to continue his efforts to halt the violence in Israel and "forge a just and comprehensive peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians." The bishops also said the President and his negotiating team...
ELCA Conference Addresses "Cycles of Domestic Violence"
Techny, Ill. (ELCA) -- Domestic violence against women and children was a "universal" problem addressed by 45 women from around the world gathered here for "Breaking the Silence: No More Violence Against Women and Children in the Church," Sept. 14-22. A message to the churches of the Lutheran World Federation...
Lutherans Support Drought Relief Efforts in Eastern Africa
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has provided $470,000 to support drought and famine relief efforts in eastern Africa. The drought situation in Ethiopia is getting worse every day, said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for international communication, ELCA Division for...
Lutheran Hospital on Alert in Jerusalem; Medical Supplies Needed
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- People are "tense," and there is uncertainty over what may occur in Jerusalem next, said Craig Kippels, chief executive officer, Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem, in a phone interview Oct. 9. Kippels' comment referred to an ultimatum delivered this weekend by the prime minister of Israel, in which...
Lutherans Meet with U.S. Farm Leaders to Discuss Rural Crisis
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Less than 2 percent of U.S. citizens are engaged in agriculture and more than half of the 10,851 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) live in small-town and rural settings, according to the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA. With that...
ELCA Funds 10 Proposals for Domestic 'MAPP' Projects
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Office of the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved grants totaling $900,000 for 10 domestic ministries. The projects, intended to provide direct assistance to people living in poverty, are part of the ELCA's emphasis on Ministries Among People in Poverty (MAPP). The...
Statement of ELCA Presiding Bishop on Augusta Victoria Hospital
STATEMENT OF ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP ON AUGUSTA VICTORIA HOSPITAL We are saddened by the deaths and injuries of so many people, both Palestinian and Israeli, in clashes prompted largely by the dispute over the future status of Jerusalem. We call on all sides to end the fighting. We urge Israeli...
