ELCA, Other Faith Groups Press Agriculture Committee for Farm Bill Reform
WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- The Rev. Theodore F. Schneider, bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), joined other faith leaders July 17 in a news conference calling on Congress for a bill that would reduce poverty while helping farmers and rural communities in...
ELCA offers new risk management resources
by Lauren A. Lamb, ELCA News Service* The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is offering two new risk management resources -- a monthly newsletter, "Church Safety Solutions," and a "2007 Insurance Buyer's Guide." "We would very much like these resources to be publicized, used and shared," said David Ullrich,...
Thousands of ELCA Teenagers Head for New Orleans in 2009
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Under the theme "Jesus, Justice, Jazz," more than 35,000 high-school-age and adult Lutherans are expected to gather in New Orleans for the 2009 Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), July 22-26, 2009. Held every three years, the event is a major ministry for...
Kathy Magnus, Lutheran World Federation Regional Officer, to Retire
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Kathy J. Magnus, Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Regional Officer for North America, announced she will retire Dec. 31, 2007. Magnus, 60, has served as the LWF Regional Officer for North America since 2002. Prior to her position with the LWF, Magnus served as the vice president of...
ELCA offers broadcast public service announcements
by Lauren A. Lamb, ELCA News Service* The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is offering five new broadcast public service announcements (PSAs), intended for a wide range of audiences. The PSAs are available in 60- second and 30-second formats. The PSAs for television include "Listen" and "Mother and Son."...
Richard Magnus, Head of ELCA Outreach, Congregational Mission, to Retire
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Richard A. Magnus, executive director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission program unit, will retire Dec. 31, 2007. "Pastor Dick Magnus' passion for the gospel, his vision for a church growing in evangelical outreach and stewardship, his desire...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Vatican Statement on Nature of the Church
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a document released by the Vatican July 10, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said the statement does not appear to change the Vatican's previously stated positions, and it will not alter the ELCA's commitment...
A Spiritual Recovery Two Years After Hurricane Katrina
NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- The windows tell a soulful story at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Two years after Hurricane Katrina, this New Orleans congregation boasts a perfectly manicured lawn, colorful flags blowing in the breeze and newly painted, air-conditioned interiors. Yet the streaked and clouded windows remind visitors that this...
ELCA Committee on Appeals Rules in Atlanta Discipline Case
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Committee on Appeals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ruled July 2 in favor of an appeal by the Rev. Ronald B. Warren, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, who sought removal of Bradley E. Schmeling, Atlanta, from the official clergy roster of...
'Chinese Lutheran Book of Worship' Now Available
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Chinese Lutheran Book of Worship" is a new bilingual worship book for members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Developed by ELCA Chinese pastors, worship leaders and others, the worship book is designed to offer flexibility in worship planning that encourages a common yet diverse...
ELCA Names Rossing Physics Scholarship Recipients
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Three students attending colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) will receive Rossing Physics Scholarships for the 2007-08 academic year. Gifts from Dr. Thomas D. Rossing established the Rossing Fund for Physics Education Endowment in the ELCA Foundation. Rossing, a professor at Northern...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Increase in Children's Health Program
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined leaders of 20 other national religious organizations in a letter to leaders of the U.S. Congress June 7, urging expanded funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The religious...
The Rev. S. Anita Stauffer, Lutheran Author, Researcher, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. S. Anita Stauffer, author of books and articles on worship, liturgy and church architecture, and a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died June 26 at a Chicago-area hospital from complications due to a stroke. At the time of her death, Stauffer,...
ELCA to Offer Worship Jubilee 2007 in Chicago, August 3-6
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) second Worship Jubilee is August 3-6 here at Navy Pier. The event precedes the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Organized by the worship staff of the ELCA, the event will draw more than 700 people involved in worship and music throughout...
Felipe Lozada-Montañez Elected Bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Felipe Lozada-Montañez, pastor of San Juan Lutheran Church, Dorado, Puerto Rico, and mission director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was elected June 22 to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod. Lozada-Montañez was elected on the third ballot for...
ELCA Supports Recovery Efforts in Burundi, China
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an effort to help meet the basic needs of people and reconstruct homes in China's southern Yunnan Province, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $50,000 after a June 4 earthquake left three people dead and more than 560 others injured there, as...
Valparaiso University president announces retirement, fundraising campaign
by Lauren A. Lamb, ELCA News Service* Dr. Alan F. Harre, president, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., announced at a news conference this week that he will retire June 30, 2008. He also introduced a $200 million campaign to support the university. Harre said he is committed to ensuring the success...
ELCA to Offer Racial-Ethnic Multicultural Event in Los Angeles, July 12-15
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Reformed Church in America will come together to celebrate diversity at the "Spirit of Wholeness in Christ: A Racial Ethnic Multicultural Event." The event will be held July 12-15 in Los Angeles. "This event...
ELCA Mission Investment Fund Helps 'Build the Church'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Mission Investment Fund (MIF) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has more than 700 loans totaling $382 million at work in congregations and ELCA- related ministries such as seminaries, outdoor ministries and social ministry organizations. Investors across the church provide the money to help...
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Elects Susan Johnson National Bishop
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Susan C. Johnson was elected June 22 to a four-year term as national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). Johnson, assistant to the bishop, ELCIC Eastern Synod, Kitchener, Ontario, received 206 votes on the sixth ballot of the ELCIC's Eleventh Biennial National...
