ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 14, 2003 ELCA Assembly Hears Presiding Bishop's Report on Global Connections 03-CWA-30-BMC MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), emphasized the importance of global, ecumenical and interfaith connections in the third part of his report to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly. The assembly also received greetings from leaders of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the National Council of Churches of Christ U.S.A. (NCC). The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 11-17 at the Midwest Airlines Center. There are about 2,100 people participating, including 1,031 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World." The third strategic direction of the ELCA's new strategic plan urges members to "deepen and extend our global, ecumenical and interfaith relationships for the sake of God's mission." Hanson focused on two images -- ligaments and landscapes -- to describe the ELCA's role in a changing world. The term "ligaments," taken from Ephesians 4, refers to the ways that the ELCA has connected different members of the body of Christ through full communion agreements, bilateral interfaith dialogue with Reformed Jewish leaders of the United States and active participation in the NCC and the World Council of Churches (WCC). Hanson offered examples of the ways that ecumenical relationships have enriched the ELCA's mission and ministry. He added that local ministries are being shaped by ecumenical partnerships: "In congregations, you are experiencing, exploring and publicly expressing our unity in Christ." He also acknowledged the "lively theological discussion" that has resulted from ecumenical initiatives such as "Called to Common Mission," the full communion agreement of the Episcopal Church and the ELCA that took effect in 2001. Hanson then noted changes in the landscape of ecumenism in the United States, saying that members of this assembly have the opportunity to become a founding partner of Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT), a forum for Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Evangelical and Pentecostals, and historic Protestant churches to work for the unity of the church. Hanson affirmed the work of the Lutheran World Federation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and commented on his recent election as president of the LWF at the LWF assembly held in Winnipeg in July. "The election was not just about me as an individual, but a recognition of the leadership of the ELCA by our global partners [in the LWF]," said Hanson. Hanson introduced the Rev. Ishmael Noko, general secretary of LWF. Noko commended the assembly for carrying the same theme as the LWF assembly, "For the Healing of the World." He shared insight on the theme: "Such healing is not within our power. We should not look only to ourselves and our resources but to Christ and the healing power of the Holy Spirit." Noko offered Hanson a bottle of water as a token of appreciation for his leadership. "This gift is a reminder of his baptism," Noko said to the assembly. "The journey on which we are is a long journey. We are washed by the blood of Christ, but also drink along the way." Noko praised the ELCA evangelism strategy that was adopted earlier in the assembly, saying it "opens up" congregations, synods and the entire church to new ministry opportunities. "You are opening up while the government of the U.S. is closing up. I have learned to make the distinction [between] the American people (and American churches) and the American government." He said that Lutherans in the United States must commit to justice and a "prophetic voice" in the face of U.S. military power. Following Noko's comments, Elenie Huszagh, president of the NCC, offered thanks for the leadership and support that the ELCA has provided the NCC in a time of transition. "We who are a part of the churches in America need to transform our thinking and our ways of doing business," she commented. -- -- -- Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http://www.elca.org/assembly/03 on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news