ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 9, 2009

ELCA Churchwide Assembly to Consider 144 Memorials from Synods
09-149-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Comprehensive immigration reform, Israel and
Palestine, Lutheran Disaster Response, and fuller participation in church
leadership are topics of memorials recommended for specific discussion at
the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).
     The recommendations were made by a 15-member memorials committee
appointed by the ELCA Church Council, which met here last month.
Memorials are requests from the church's 65 synods that ask for churchwide
assembly action on significant policy issues. The committee considered
144 memorials for the 2009 assembly, recommending action on each in a
96-page report.
     The biennial assembly, consisting of 1,045 voting members, is the
church's highest legislative authority. It will meet Aug. 17-23 in
Minneapolis.
     The Rev. John C. Richter, Allentown, Pa., and Phyllis L. Wallace, St.
Thomas, Virgin Islands, are council members who co-chaired the memorials
committee. In an interview with the ELCA News Service, Richter said the
committee engaged in a wide-ranging conversation. He said he was pleased
that the most important consideration for members was "how best to
facilitate the work of the assembly" without dictating it.
     Many synods sent memorials related to human sexuality. Because the
subject is already on the agenda for discussion and action, the committee
recommended that the assembly's actions serve as the response to these
memorials, Richter said.
     Two documents on sexuality issues will be considered at the 2009
assembly. One is a proposed social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and
Trust." Social statements are theological and teaching documents that form
the basis for policy in the ELCA. The other, a "Report and Recommendation
on Ministry Policies," asks the assembly to consider a process to change
ministry policies to make it possible for Lutherans who are in "publicly
accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gendered relationships" to serve
as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and
ordained ministers. Both documents were mandated by previous churchwide
assemblies.
     According to the committee report, 37 synods sent memorials calling
for the churchwide assembly to adopt the proposed social statement, and
five called for its rejection. The report listed 34 synods that sent
memorials favoring adoption of the ministry recommendation, and 12 called
for rejection of the recommendation. Some synods suggested amendments to
one or both documents.
     In addition, the report noted that 27 synods asked for a two-thirds
vote "related to some or all of the sexuality issues," while three synods
asked for a majority vote. The council previously recommended a rule to
the assembly that a majority vote be required to adopt ministry policies
proposals. The ELCA Constitution requires a two-thirds vote to adopt
social statements.
     The committee recommended four categories of memorials for separate
discussion and action. Richter said the committee's choices were based on
what it believed voting members would want to discuss. At the same time,
he said, the committee was also aware the assembly may want to discuss
other topics. The four categories include:
     + Comprehensive immigration reform: Two synods asked the assembly to
call on ELCA members to advocate for reform of U.S. immigration policies.
The committee recommended that the assembly "urge comprehensive reform of
immigration policies and processes" and call for suspension of immigration
raids until reforms are in place. It also noted that a message on
immigration is expected from the Church Council later this year.
     + Strategy for engagement in Israel and Palestine: Seven synods sent
memorials related to the ELCA strategy, "Peace Not Walls: Stand for
Justice in the Holy Land." The committee recommended reaffirming the
ELCA's commitment to the strategy.
     + Fullness of leadership, Project Connect: Eight synods asked the
church to confront racism and encourage more people of color to consider
church service as a vocation. All cited "Project Connect," a project of
three ELCA seminaries, as an example of such a program. The committee's
recommended response is that people involved in Project Connect share
their learnings with the church. It also asked the assembly to renew the
ELCA's commitment to confront racism and review factors that limit people
of color from "the fullness of leadership in this church."
     + Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR): Seven synods expressed "strong
support for and concern about Lutheran Disaster Response" in similar
memorials. LDR is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod. The committee's recommended response noted LDR is
involved in a strategic planning process and that the process will address
"the future nature and focus of LDR." It also asks for a progress report
at to the April 2010 meeting of the Church Council.
     Some of the other memorials sent to the churchwide assembly addressed
topics such as parish nurses, inner-city congregations, environmental
stewardship, and support for seminaries and churchwide ministries.
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     The Memorials Committee report is http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/memorials
on the ELCA Web site.

     Information about the 2009 Churchwide Assembly is http://www.ELCA.org/assembly
on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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