ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Variety of Subjects in Town Hall Forum
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) hosted a "Town Hall Forum" here Dec. 6, fielding a variety of questions on topics such as leadership, mission, evangelism, anti-racism and racial justice matters, funding, churchwide staff reductions and actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly....
The Rev. Jeffrey Barrow Elected Bishop of ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod
MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- The Rev. Jeffrey S. Barrow was elected Dec. 5 to a six-year term as bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at a special synod assembly here at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Barrow, 58, is currently an assistant to the...
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Habitat for Humanity Finish 2,000th Home
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A new home for Abdikalik Abdulahi and his wife, Suaada Abdiaziz of Somalia, built by a host of volunteers, was dedicated Dec. 4 in Minneapolis -- the 2,000th home built through an alliance of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. "Thrivent Builds with Habitat...
Some ELCA Congregations Increase Mission Support While Others Cut Funds
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- When Sally Gregory Kohlstedt spoke at Holy Trinity's stewardship breakfast last month, she didn't expect the response her announcement generated. Kohlstedt told fellow members of the Minneapolis congregation that despite the congregation's own budget challenges, the financial stewardship committee would recommend the congregation increase its 2010 giving...
Former ELCA Presiding Bishops Call on Members for Prayers, Financial Gifts
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Two former presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have appealed to members to pray for unity of the church and its mission, and to contribute financial gifts to support the ELCA. "Our troubled world needs the Good News of the Gospel and all...
ELCA Leaders Appear in ABC-TV Program on Faith and Disabilities
CHICAGO (ELCA) --Youth ministry participants and pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are among several faith community leaders featured in a documentary on disabilities set to air nationwide on ABC-TV affiliates beginning Dec. 6. The program focuses on making faith communities more accessible to people with disabilities,...
Christmas 2009: A Message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us..." (Titus 3:4-5a). Into this shadowed world light shines and joyous voices sing. Glad tidings cheer the heart and liberate hope. "A child has been born for us, a son given to us" (Isaiah 9:6). God...
Washington ELCA Congregations to Hold Services to Remember Slain Officers
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Christ Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Wash., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Tacoma (Parkland), Wash., have scheduled special services Dec. 6 in remembrance of the four Lakewood police officers who were killed Nov. 29 in an ambush at a Parkland coffee shop. None of the four officers -- Sgt. Mark...
ELCA Presiding Bishop to Host Online 'Town Hall Forum' Dec. 6
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said he will share priorities and hopes for the ELCA, and wants to hear stories from members about the church's work in their own contexts, when he hosts an online "Town Hall...
Lutheran Bishop Raises Food Security Concerns with USDA Secretary
WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- On the heels of a federal report showing a significant increase in hunger in the United States, a synod bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met Nov. 23 with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack. The Rev. Michael L. Burk, bishop, ELCA Southeastern Iowa...
Nine ELCA Synod Bishops Preparing for Middle East Visit
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Nine synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are preparing to visit Israel and the West Bank Nov. 28-Dec. 8, as part of the ELCA Conference of Bishops' initiative to support a churchwide strategy for engagement in the region. The trip, Bishops' Academy II,...
Lutherans to Observe World AIDS Day Dec. 1
WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- Every nine and a half minutes a person in the United States becomes infected with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta. Globally, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates the number of people infected with the virus is 33 million. On...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Sends Open Letter to Members, Announces Online Forum
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Declaring that "God's mission is serious work that calls for serious commitment," the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) spelled out priorities for the ELCA churchwide organization in an open letter to members released Nov. 19. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson also invited...
ELCA Council Approves Charter, Hears Secretary's Report, Elects Leaders
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a charter for a comprehensive study of the ELCA and its future mission. A task force will conduct the study with the goal of bringing a report with recommendations to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly...
U.S. Hunger Report Contains Troubling Information, Say ELCA Hunger Leaders
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As people throughout the United States prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report this week that shows a significant increase in hunger in U.S. households. That's not surprising, said Nancy D. Arnison, director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA)...
Reinstatement Process Revision Adopted by ELCA Church Council
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a revision to the reinstatement process for former clergy and other professional leaders who were removed from the church's official rosters for disciplinary reasons or resigned in lieu of discipline -- solely because they were...
ELCA Churchwide Budget Reduced, Staff Positions Eliminated
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) acted Nov. 15 to reduce the 2010 churchwide current fund spending authorization by nearly $7.7 million, 10 percent less than the budget authorized by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. The council's action eliminated 40.75 full-time equivalent positions,...
ELCA Council Approves Social Policy Resolution on Immigration
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a need for specific policy language to address current immigration matters, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a social policy resolution on immigration Nov. 14. The resolution, "Toward Compassionate, Just and Wise Immigration Reform," addresses family and workplace...
ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Leadership, Financial Issues
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a wide-ranging report Nov. 13 to the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop called for "strong leadership" from council members. At the same time, he addressed a proposed 10 percent cut in the churchwide...
Concordia College Grad Roxana Saberi to Receive 2010 NCAA 'Award of Valor'
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will honor journalist Roxana Saberi, graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., with its 2010 Award of Valor. Concordia is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The award is presented to current or former...
