ELCA Presiding Bishop's 2010 Easter Message
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:26 For a brief time, while the crucified Jesus lay in a borrowed tomb, it seemed as if death had triumphed once again. Threatened by a messenger of God's expansive, steadfast love, yet another human mob succumbed to death's...
Some Lutherans Continue to be Affected by N.D.-Minnesota Flooding
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Emily A. Nesdahl led worship this past weekend at Harwood (N.D.) Elementary School because the building for the congregation she serves, Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church, was isolated by overland flooding from the Sheyenne River. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4486 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or...
North Dakota, Minnesota Lutherans Prepare for Possible Floods
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Multitudes of volunteers worked for days to prepare for possible flooding along the Red River in the Fargo, N.D.- Moorhead, Minn., area. The river is expected to crest at 38 feet March 21, some 20 feet above flood stage. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4484 For information contact: John Brooks, Director...
ELCA Releases Draft Social Statement on Genetics
CHICAGO (ELCA) --The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) released March 18 a 49-page draft social statement on genetics, a framework for discussion on a variety of current topics in the field including certain advances in medicine, reproductive cloning, human embryonic stem cells, and animal and plant genetic engineering. More:...
Liberian Lutheran Addresses Members of Congress
WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- Leymah Gbowee, a Lutheran from Liberia, spoke to members of Congress here on March 15 about the prevention of violence against women and girls. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4480 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Twitter: http://twitter.com/elcanews
Lutherans In Fargo, Moorhead and Surrounding Areas Brace for Floodwater
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As the Red River in Fargo, N.D., Moorhead, Minn., and surrounding areas reached flood levels March 17, Lutherans in the area were working furiously to save their homes and communities. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4481 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Twitter: http://twitter.com/elcanews
Dana College to be Sold, Will End Affiliation with ELCA
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Dana College, Blair, Neb., is in the process of being acquired by Dana Education Corporation (DEC), a for-profit organization based in Nebraska. The completion of the sale, expected to be this summer, will end the college's affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4482...
ELCA Bishops Voice Concern, Affirmation for New Social Statement Time Line
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) discussed the time line for a new social statement on genetics at the conclusion of their meeting here March 5-9. The discussion occurred following an earlier closed session March 5 on this week's release...
Synod Council Denies Florida Congregation's Request to Leave ELCA
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The synod council of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) declined a request from a Fort Pierce, Fla., congregation to terminate its membership in the denomination after the congregation successfully completed two votes to leave as required by the ELCA Constitution. More:...
Minnesota ELCA Bishops Visit Lawmakers, Issue Pastoral Letter
ST. PAUL, Minn. (ELCA) -- Bishops of the six Minnesota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) visited House and Senate leaders at the State Capitol here March 11 "to advocate for the common good of all people in the state," according to a news release from the...
'ELM' Pastors Pleased with ELCA Bishops' Draft Reception Rite
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- Three ordained pastors on the roster of "Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM)" said they were pleased with the draft rite, "Reception onto the Roster of Ordained Ministers" that emerged from discussions March 5-9 in the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). More...
ELCA Now Fourth Largest Member Church of the LWF
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is now the fourth largest member church of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). For the first time in its history, the overall membership of churches belonging to the LWF has reached 70 million. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4475 For information contact: John Brooks,...
ELCA Conference of Bishops Comments on Ministry Policy Revisions
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offered its counsel on revisions to churchwide ministry policy documents before they are sent to the ELCA Church Council, which is expected to consider them for adoption next month. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4474 For information contact:...
Lutherans Visit Senegal to Learn About Peace-Building
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Senegal is a place where Christians and Muslims coexist. To learn more about life there, 10 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) journeyed through the western African country to learn about peace-building at the intersection of faith and life. More: http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4473 For information contact:...
ELCA Bishops Reach Consensus on 'ELM' Pastors, More Review Needed
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reached a consensus March 8 on a draft proposal for a rite that would bring onto the church's official clergy roster those pastors who were ordained and are on the clergy roster of "Extraordinary...
ELCA Bishops Discuss Draft Social Statement on Genetics, Release is Mar. 18
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was introduced to the content of a soon- to-be-released draft of a social statement on genetics in a closed background session here March 5. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4470 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958...
Despite Challenges, ELCA Churchwide Organization had Net Income in '09
ITASCA, Ill. (ELCA) -- Despite the financial challenges of 2009, much of it the result of the downturn in the U.S. economy, the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) finished the year with net income of $3.9 million. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4469 For information contact: John Brooks, Director...
Lutherans Visit Earthquake-Ravaged Concepcion, Chile
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- For the first time since the earthquake, Lutherans were able to visit the Chilean town of Concepcion, March 4-7. Karen Anderson likened the scene in Concepcion to "a war zone." More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4471 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news Twitter: http://twitter.com/elcanews
ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to Members in Second Town Hall Forum
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), responded to a variety of questions about the economy, ecumenism, evangelism, youth and young adult ministries, decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly and more at a "Town Hall Forum" here March 7. This...
Lutheran Women Address Gender Equality Topics at U.N. Conference
NEW YORK (ELCA) -- A delegation of 12 Lutherans and other faith group representatives attended the 54th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held at the U.N. headquarters here, March 1-12. More http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4466 For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news...
