Title: ELCA Lecture Series Explores Ecumenism ELCA NEWS SERVICE January 23, 1997 ROOT AND FACKRE EXPLORE ECUMENISM A traditional lecture series and an innovative video-conference will examine ecumenical discussions and decisions engaging the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America this year. The Hein-Fry Lecture Series takes two prestigious speakers to the campuses of the ELCA?s eight seminaries. Dr. Michael Root, an ELCA scholar at the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, and Dr. Gabriel Fackre, a theologian of the United Church of Christ and professor at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Mass., will also participate in a 3-hour, interactive tele-conference on May 5 with downlink sites across the United States and Caribbean. Their lectures, ?Ecumenical Decisions 1997: Implications for Teaching, Witness and Outreach,? will explore the Lutheran church?s participation in the ecumenical movement and the potential effects partnerships with Episcopal and Reformed churches will have on the ministry and mission of the ELCA. Fackre begins the series Feb. 6 at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbus, S.C.; Feb. 13-14 at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.; Feb. 20 at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., and April 9 at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Root continues the series Feb. 25-26 at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.; April 18 at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa; April 29 at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia; and May 7 at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.