Title: Lutherans Begin Season of Synod Assemblies
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 15, 2000

LUTHERANS BEGIN SEASON OF SYNOD ASSEMBLIES
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     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Thirty of the 65 synods of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) completed their annual assemblies
between March 25 and June 1; the remaining assemblies will be completed
by July 9.  The first 30 assemblies addressed a wide range of subjects,
including an ecumenical proposal for The Episcopal Church, the blessing
of same-gender relationships, the safety of children and world hunger.
Six synods elected or re-elected bishops.
     Traditionally business is light at synod assemblies in the years
between the ELCA's biennial churchwide assemblies, but most of the
synods reacted to a decision of the 1999 Churchwide Assembly to adopt
"Called to Common Mission" (CCM) -- a Lutheran proposal for "full
communion" with the Episcopal Church.
     The Episcopal General Convention will consider the proposal when
it meets July 5-14 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.  With
Episcopal approval, the necessary changes to the churches' governing
documents would take effect Jan. 1, 2001.
     Among other things, full communion would make it possible for the
ELCA and The Episcopal Church to exchange clergy and commits them to
work together on future mission and service projects.
     Some Lutherans continue to oppose CCM because the ELCA would
accept the historic episcopate, which is a requirement in The Episcopal
Church for the exchange of clergy.  ELCA bishops would be installed by
bishops who stand in a succession of bishops reaching back to the
earliest days of the Christian Church.  For Lutheran pastors to enter
the historic episcopate, they must be ordained by a bishop.
     Synod resolutions ranged in their reaction from declaring the
"freedom to receive or reject the historic episcopate" to celebrating
the Lutheran proposal and praying the Episcopal convention adopts CCM.
     The Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly, the first synod assembly
of the year, resolved March 24 to "fully support the right of its
constituent members, congregations, pastors and bishops to freely accept
or reject local implementation of an historic episcopate."
     On April 9 the ELCA Church Council offered guidance to synods that
may consider resolutions similar to the Eastern North Dakota Synod
resolution.  "While resolutions of a synod assembly seeking changes in
this church's governing documents are in order, resolutions of a synod
assembly pledging to support or undertake actions in violation of this
church's governing documents are not in order," the council said.
     The ELCA Conference of Bishops issued a pastoral letter March 6.
"As we gradually live into a relationship of full communion, we invite
the exploration of possible ways to allow a synodical bishop, in unusual
circumstances and with appropriate consultation, to authorize another
ELCA pastor to preside at an ordination," it said.
     Most of the 30 synod assemblies reported action on CCM
resolutions.  Six expressed support for the proposal and another three
defeated resolutions opposing the proposal.  Eleven called for
exceptions to the Lutheran proposal, such as those suggested by the
Conference of Bishops.
     On other topics, the Greater Milwaukee and Southeast Michigan
Synods resolved "that a committed relationship be defined as one where
there is love, quality, faithfulness and endurance and mutual uplifting
of spirits."  They went on to recognize and affirm "the blessing of such
committed same-gender relationships by pastors of this synod after
counseling with the couple seeking such a blessing."
     The Virginia Synod resolved to begin a time of prayer, study and
conversation on the subject of blessing same-gender relationships.  The
synod resolved to bring a resolution to its 2001 assembly that will call
for churchwide consideration of the subject.
     Several synods made commitments to discuss issues related to the
church and the sexual orientation of its members and clergy.  The
Northeastern Ohio Synod, by a 171-138 vote, asked the ELCA to establish
a Commission on Sexual Minorities.  The Sierra Pacific Synod asked its
bishop to "do everything possible within church guidelines to avoid the
expulsion of University Lutheran Chapel from the ELCA," which has called
an openly gay pastor not on the ELCA roster of clergy.
     Many synods adopted resolutions encouraging their congregations to
join the ELCA's Campaign for Safe Havens by declaring themselves to be
"Safe Haven" for all children.  The resolutions offer several ways to do
that: "working toward a Christ-centered, positive environment for
children in families, congregations and communities; praying for the
well-being of all children but in particular for the poorest and most at
risk; developing creative programs to meet the needs of children in the
congregation and community with special emphasis on those who are
hungry, homeless, abused, lonely and subject to violence; advocating in
support of public policy that advances the well-being of children and
their families and in opposition to policies that harm them; and working
collaboratively with other congregations, Lutheran social ministry
organizations and other groups that strive to help children thrive."
     Many of the assemblies also passed resolutions renewing their
synod's efforts in fighting hunger locally and globally.  Most of those
resolutions challenged the congregations to increase their giving to the
ELCA's World Hunger Appeal.
     The Saint Paul Area Synod asked the ELCA for a message on the
victimization of youth by the "sex industry."  The Northeastern
Minnesota Synod called for more resources from the church to study the
issue.
     The Greater Milwaukee, Northern Great Lakes and Southern Ohio
Synods passed resolutions urging congregations to expand their
"earthkeeping ministries" and to "work vigorously to slow the impact of
global warming."
     The New Jersey Synod supported a moratorium on the death penalty
and opposed the expansion of gambling in New Jersey.
     The Saint Paul Area Synod called for an end to economic sanctions
against Cuba and Iraq.
     The Grand Canyon Synod asked the ELCA to develop and fund mission
opportunities at home and abroad for Lutherans between the ages of 18
and 22.
     Two synods elected new bishops to succeed retiring bishops.  The
Rev. Kevin Scott Kanouse will succeed the Rev. Mark B. Herbener as
bishop of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod.  The Rev. Ray
Tiemann will succeed the Rev. James E. Bennett as bishop of the
Southwestern Texas Synod.
     Synod assemblies re-elected four bishops:  the Rev. Roy G.
Almquist, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod; the Rev. Allan C. Bjornberg,
Rocky Mountain Synod; the Rev. Robert W. Mattheis, Sierra Pacific Synod;
and the Rev. Floyd M. Schoenhals, Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod.
     Six synods elect bishops in June.  Five of the six elect new
bishops to succeed retiring bishops.  Bishops serve six-year terms.
-- -- --
     The ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs is providing links to
information about synod assembly actions dealing with "Called to Common
Mission" from http://www.elca.org/ea/resolutions/index.html on the ELCA
Web site.

EDITORS: ELCA News & Information plans to issue a second news release in
July recapping the remaining synod assemblies.  The Slovak Zion Synod
will hold the last assembly planned for this year July 7-9 at Elizabeth
University, Convent Station, N.J.


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