Title: ELCA Assembly Learns Worship Efforts to Be Strengthened
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 9, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY LEARNS WORSHIP EFFORTS TO BE STRENGTHENED
01-CWA16-LS

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) have started a five-year process that will lead to new
worship resources. Participants in the churchwide assembly heard a
report Thursday about myriad efforts to deepen worship life in ELCA
congregations.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There
are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting
members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Deepening worship is one of the "Initiatives for a New Century,"
launched by the ELCA at its 1997 churchwide assembly. Final reports on
each of the seven initiatives will be presented at this assembly.
     The Rev. Michael Burk, recently named ELCA director for worship,
said part of the initiative is starting the five-year campaign called
"Renewing Worship." It could result in a new hymnal or electronic
resources, Burk said. "This process and the resources that grow out of
it will shape worship in the ELCA for years to come," he said.
     Resources developed will represent the ELCA's diversity and
reflect common Lutheran beliefs, he said. Burk urged congregations to
test and respond to new resources, to help the church grow. "By renewing
worship the whole church will be renewed," he said.
     The Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director of the ELCA
Division for Congregational Ministries, said the worship initiative
called upon ELCA members to explore what they valued. Resources
developed include "YOUth CAN -- Worship Leadership in Camps and
Congregations" and "God is Here -- Video Reflections on Worship in the
ELCA."
     ELCA worship staff also developed resources for adult catechism
and a leadership program for musicians in small congregations.
     The "Deepen our Worship Life" initiative team sponsored "Worship
Jubilee 2000" last July. The event, held at Navy Pier in Chicago,
included seminars exploring different styles of worship. More than 375
ELCA congregations were represented at the event.
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates
during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.


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