ELCA assesses needs in response to flooding in Colorado, New Mexico
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Following a record-breaking rainfall September 2013 that produced flooding in 15 Colorado counties, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its partner affiliates are working to assess the immediate and long-term needs of people and communities affected. According to reports, at least 6 people have died...
ELCA members called to prayer for the people of Syria
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are called to pray Sept. 7 for the people of Syria, the Middle East and throughout the world. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) -- one of the ELCA’s six full communion partners -- offered prayer petitions supported by the...
ELCA commemorates 25 years with 'God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Celebrating 25 years as a church that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will participate in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, Sept. 8 -- a dedicated day of service in which this church’s 4 million members...
ELCA presiding bishop calls for diplomacy over military strike in Syria
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a possible U.S. military strike against Syria, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), urged President Barack Obama to strengthen international diplomatic efforts to resolve the civil war in Syria. In a Sept. 3 letter to...
ELCA presiding bishop calls for renewed commitment to equality for all
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In light of this week’s marches in Washington D.C., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said the observance “cannot only be about...
Elizabeth Eaton to be installed as ELCA presiding bishop Oct. 5
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton will be installed as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Oct. 5 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago. The installation is open to the public; tickets are not required. Worship begins at 2:00 p.m. (Central); doors open at...
Lutheran Disaster Response receives $1.9 million from the Red Cross
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) received a $1.9 million grant from the American Red Cross to support the ELCA’s commitment in meeting the needs of thousands of people who continue to rebuild their homes and lives following Hurricane Sandy, which struck the U.S. east coast...
ELCA assembly makes decisions to move church forward
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, gathered Aug. 12- 17 at the David L....
Two top Lutheran leaders ask U.S. president to stop atrocities in Egypt
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The United States and its president have a role to play to stop the atrocities in Egypt and allow for the self-determination of that nation to be practiced, according to top Middle East and U.S. Lutheran church leaders. In a joint Aug. 19 letter to U.S. President...
New ELCA secretary installed, assembly closes with worship
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- William Chris Boerger, a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Snohomish, Wash., was installed as secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 17 during the closing worship of the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The 952 voting members and others of the 4-million-member...
ELCA assembly acted on Israel and Palestine proposals and more
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and took measures to ensure that commitment Aug. 17 during the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly here. The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA,...
Proposal for ELCA's first ever major fundraising campaign is approved
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved with a 671 to 242 vote a proposal for the ELCA’s first major fundraising campaign. The five-year campaign, to begin in 2014, is designed to increase this church’s capacity to renew...
ELCA assembly elects William Chris Boerger secretary of the ELCA
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- William Chris Boerger, a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Snohomish, Wash., was elected Aug. 16 to a six- year term as secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly here. “I am aware of the tremendous responsibility,...
ELCA assembly adopts social statement on criminal justice
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2013 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries” -- a social statement on criminal justice -- Aug. 16 with a 882 to 25 vote. The 952 voting members and others of...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson delivers his final report
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- In his last report as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev. Mark S. Hanson said there is an opportunity for the 4-million-member church -- in anticipation of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation -- to let go of being competitive in...
Elizabeth Eaton elected ELCA presiding bishop
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) - The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Ohio Synod, was elected Aug. 14 presiding bishop of the ELCA at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. She was elected on the fifth ballot. There were 889 votes cast, and 445 votes...
ELCA Churchwide Assembly centers its work in daily worship
PITTSBURGH (ELCA) -- In this time of the world’s history, with the greatest capacity to be instantly and constantly connected through means of communication unimagined 25 years ago when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) began, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson said, “We seem unable, unwilling to listen to...
ELCA young adults land on their feet
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Every year young adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) volunteer to take a huge leap of faith and offer themselves in service in distant places. They pack their bags, say goodbye to family and friends and embark on a life-changing journey. The ELCA’s Young...
Lutheran Disaster Response provides assistance for refugees in Uganda
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has provided $100,000 in humanitarian assistance for 66,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who fled to Uganda in response to threats of violence. The funds are being dispersed through Lutheran Disaster Response to The Lutheran World Federation for...
2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly meets Aug. 12-17 in Pittsburgh
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather Aug. 12-17, 2013, in assembly at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The 4-million-member ELCA is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year under the theme “Always being made new,” which serves as the theme...
