ELCA NEWS SERVICE
July 21, 2009
Episcopalians, Lutherans Taking Action on Sexuality Topics
09-154-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal
Church took a series of actions on the topic of human sexuality July 8-17
in Anaheim, Calif. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will
also make decisions on matters concerning the topic at its 2009
Churchwide Assembly Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
The ELCA and Episcopal Church have been "full communion" partners
since 2000. The relationship is based on a common confessing of the
Christian faith. The denominations collaborate on various ministry
initiatives, may provide for the interchangeability of ordained clergy
and engage in worship together.
On behalf of the ELCA, the Rev. Donald J. McCoid attended the
convention. He said the actions of the Episcopal Church "do not parallel
what will be before our churchwide assembly, although some of the
concerns are similar."
"The Episcopal Church has a different process for considering human
sexuality issues and policies," said McCoid, executive director, ELCA
Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.
During their convention, Episcopalians passed a resolution designed
to open ordination to anyone in the denomination through a discernment
process outlined in the church's Constitution and Canons.
The resolution also reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's participation
in the worldwide Anglican Communion, noting that members of the communion
hold opposing views on matters related to human sexuality.
In a separate action, the convention called for a collection of
theological resources and liturgies for same-gender blessings. The
convention authorized the denomination's House of Bishops and Standing
Commission on Liturgy and Music to devise and oversee an "open process"
that would invite Episcopalians to gather such resources, and it
requested a progress report on this work to be delivered to the 2012
convention.
The action states that Episcopal bishops, "particularly those in
dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil
unions or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral
response to meet the needs of members of this church." It also "honor(s)
the theological diversity of this church in regard to matters of human
sexuality."
Voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly are scheduled to
consider two documents related to human sexuality. One is a proposed
social statement on human sexuality, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust."
Social statements are theological and teaching documents that form the
basis for policy in the ELCA.
The other document is a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry
Policies." The recommendation 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-gender
relationships," to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses,
diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.
Both documents were mandated by previous churchwide assemblies.
The assembly is the highest legislative authority of the ELCA. The
theme of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is "God's Work. Our Hands."
- - -
News about the 2009 Episcopal Church General Convention is
available at http://ecusa.anglican.org/79425_ENG_HTM.htm on the Web.
Information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at
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
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
