ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 30, 2003

Lutherans Address Variety Of Concerns In Later Synod Assemblies
03-150-JAC*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Voting members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) addressed a variety of local, national
and international concerns through actions at synod assemblies.
Synod assemblies began April 25 and concluded June 28 of this
year.
     Actions that occurred at assemblies held since mid-June
included:
     + Health care: The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
assembly adopted a resolution to direct the synod's Committee of
Pastoral Support to investigate, review and take action on Board
of Pensions coverage of prophylactic and diagnostic health care.
     + Liberia: The Upper Susquehanna Synod assembly adopted a
resolution to raise political awareness of the situation in
Liberia and to "support our brothers and sisters in Liberia"
through political action and prayer.
     + Execution: The Upper Susquehanna Synod assembly adopted a
resolution requesting a three-year moratorium on executions. The
resolution is to be sent to Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell
and to all state senators and representatives that represent the
area within the synod.
     + Stewardship: The Northwestern Iowa Synod assembly adopted
a resolution calling for congregations to encourage tithing and
continue stewardship education programs. Ministries of the synod
and the ELCA should be integrated into mission statements and
budgets of congregations within the synod, the resolution added.
     + Inclusive language: The Northwestern Iowa Synod assembly
adopted a resolution that synod assembly worship services "will
use inclusive and expansive language for God."
     + Chaplaincy: The Northwestern Iowa Synod assembly adopted
a resolution urging Lutheran Services in Iowa to retain the
chaplaincy position at the University of Iowa hospitals and
clinics, and encouraging congregations of the synod to give
financial support to Lutheran Services in Iowa.
     + World Hunger: The Central States Synod assembly adopted a
resolution calling for a $4 per person offering to the World
Hunger Appeal and the Domestic and International Disaster
Response this year. It also asked that each congregation name an
advocate to work with area hunger appeal advocates.
     The Northwestern Minnesota Synod adopted a resolution
encouraging congregations to increase their giving to the ELCA
World Hunger Appeal and encouraged congregations to identify one
contact person each to work toward increasing giving to the ELCA
World Hunger Appeal.
     + Sexuality: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod assembly
tabled a resolution affirming the good of marriage and family,
and disapproving of same-sex unions.
     + Rural ministry: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod assembly
adopted a resolution calling for the synod to "establish a voice
for the national efforts of the ELCA in addressing challenges
facing small town and rural ministry (STaR) by representation in
the ELCA STaR Ministry Alliance".
     + Historic episcopate: The Southwestern Minnesota Synod
assembly adopted a resolution urging amendments be made to the
ELCA constitution and bylaws that will freely permit
ordination/installation with or without participation of bishops
in Episcopal succession and that these options have equal
standing in the ELCA.
     + The Northwestern Minnesota Synod assembly adopted a
resolution to make available to congregations a 7-week
lectionary, "Celebration in Creation."
     + Gun law: The Northwestern Minnesota Synod assembly
adopted a resolution supporting the actions of the Edina
Community Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn., in its lawsuit calling
for the State to review its 'conceal and carry' firearms law.
     + Fairly traded coffee: The Sierra Pacific Synod assembly
adopted a resolution calling for Lutheran consumers to "endeavor
to buy fairly traded coffee" and encouraged the synod and
congregations to use exclusively fairly traded coffee at church
functions.
     + Continued synod existence: The Slovak Zion Synod assembly
passed a resolution asking the ELCA Church Council to hear the
concerns of the synod and the synod's wish to continue existence
as a non-geographical synod of the ELCA.

Information about the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly -- including
downloadable assembly logos -- can be found at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/03/ on the ELCA Web site.

*Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern
with ELC A News and Media Production.

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