ELCA Church Council Proposes Review Process for Social Statements
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) asked the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to authorize it to establish a review process "of current procedures for the development and adoption of ELCA social statements." The proposal requests that the process be established after the...
2011 Easter Message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
"So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples." (Matthew 28:8) Mary Magdalene and Mary walked to Jesus' grave, expecting to find death. It's understandable. Images of violence filled their minds. Thoughts of their vulnerability and mortality deadened their spirits. Death had...
National Indian Lutheran Board President, Paul Schultz, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Paul Schultz, a former president of the National Indian Lutheran Board, advocate for Native Americans, tribal elder and faith healer in the White Earth band of the Anishinaabe (Chippewa) tribe in Minnesota, died March 19. Schultz, 66, died at his residence in White Earth, Minn. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4745...
Wisconsin ELCA Bishops Seek Compassion for All in Proposed State Budget
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) bishops who serve the six synods of Wisconsin said the proposed 2011-2013 budget for the state should treat all people with dignity and not place "undue challenges on those who can least afford those burdens." The bishops made the comment in...
ELCA Disaster Response Sends Emergency Grant for Red River Flooding
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through Lutheran Disaster Response, sent a $10,000 emergency grant to Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota for immediate response to the flooding along the Red River and its tributaries. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4743 For information contact: John Brooks, (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org...
ELCA Communicators Honored by Religion Communicators Council
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) honored several Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) communicators March 31 at its annual DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards program. ELCA communicators won top awards in categories for public relations materials, special print materials, writing and Internet communication. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4742 For information contact: John...
ELCA Commits Additional $500,000 for Response to Japan Disaster
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) announced April 11 that it has committed an additional $500,000 to three partners in Japan as part of the ELCA's continuing response to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the northern part of the country one month ago. Coupled...
L. David Brown, Former Bishop of ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, Dies
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. L. David Brown, former Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) synod bishop, youth leader and advocate for civil rights, justice and hunger issues, died April 2 after an illness. Brown, 85, died at his home in Denver. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4740 For information contact: John Brooks, (773)...
ELCA Council Recommends Budget Proposals Through 2013
CHICAGO (ELCA) - At its spring meeting, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended income proposals for the churchwide organization current operating budget and ELCA World Hunger through 2013. The proposals will be presented to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly for its consideration in August. More:...
ELCA Congregation's HIV Screening Effort Earns 'USA Weekend' Recognition
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- USA Weekend will recognize the city of Wheaton, Ill., and several of its community organizations, including St. Paul Lutheran Church, with the magazine's annual "Make a Difference Day" city award. The announcement will be featured in the magazine's April 10 issue. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4738 For information contact: John...
ELCA Central/Southern Illinois Synod Bishop Accepts New Call
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Warren D. Freiheit, bishop of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), notified the synod this week that he will resign as bishop effective June 30. Freiheit, 63, will begin a new call July 1 as pastor of Christ Lutheran...
Give Generously to Haiti, Says ELCA Presiding Bishop to Orion Samuelson
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Continue to pray for the people of Haiti and give generously to help Haitians rebuild their country, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in a television interview with well-known agricultural journalist Orion Samuelson. But Hanson said that...
ELCA, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bishops Agree to Mission Statement
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church said it is time for the two churches to "come together as communities of faith and to know each other in order that...
ELCA's Southern Seminary, Lenoir-Rhyne University to Merge
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Plans are under way for two higher education institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to merge. Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., will unite with Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4734 For information contact: John Brooks, (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elcanews Twitter:...
ELCA Members Donate $750,000 for Japan Earthquake Response
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed nearly $750,000 in response to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan March 11. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4733 For information contact: John Brooks, (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elcanews Twitter: http://twitter.com/elcanews
Statue in U.S. Capitol Honors ELCA Member Norman Borlaug
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The state of Iowa will honor the late Dr. Norman E. Borlaug with a statue in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall. Borlaug, a prominent agricultural scientist at Texas A&M University and member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize recipient....
ELCA, Episcopal Church to Celebrate 10 Years of Full Communion
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will preside at a celebratory worship service in Buffalo, N.Y., May 1, marking the 10th anniversary of the full communion relationship of the ELCA and The Episcopal Church. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4731 For information...
ELCA's Concordia College Names William Craft President-Elect
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Board of Regents of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., unanimously elected Dr. William J. Craft president-elect of the college on March 21. Craft, who will become Concordia's 11th president, will begin his duties on July 11, according to a news release from the college. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4730 For...
'It Gets Better' Book Features ELCA Presiding Bishop
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- An essay written by the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is featured in a new book, "It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living." The Rev. Mark S. Hanson's essay is a transcript of his "It Gets...
ELCA Board of Pensions Prepares to Open Redesigned Annuity
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) plans to reopen its Participating Annuity Fund for new entrants this year, said John G. Kapanke, president of the ELCA Board of Pensions. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4728 For information contact: John Brooks, (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news...
