ELCA Presiding Bishop: 'See The Fullness Of This Church'
05-CWA-03-05--JB

     ORLANDO, Fla. (ELCA) -- The 2005 Churchwide Assembly of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will focus on
worship, Bible study and prayer, while voting members engage in
"thoughtful and respectful conversation" about a variety of
legislative matters, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding
bishop.
     Hanson, who is also president of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF), Geneva, Switzerland, will chair the assembly.
He offered a preview of it in remarks to the ELCA Church Council
and ELCA Conference of Bishops, which met here Aug. 7.
     Hanson said he recently told some journalists during an
audio news conference that the Orlando assembly will be "a
snapshot of the ELCA."  He urged the journalists to use a "wide-
angle lens and see the fullness of this church."
     The ELCA is a "church for whom the means of grace is
central," Hanson said. He said the ELCA is an evangelical church
in a "Lutheran key."  Hanson pointed out that during the week,
the ELCA will consider proposals for new worship resources,
ministry strategies to reach out to African Descent and Arab and
Middle Eastern communities, and an Interim Eucharistic Sharing
agreement with the United Methodist Church.  The assembly will
also hear from a representative of the Union for Reform Judaism,
a first for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Hanson said.
     The assembly will consider implementation of a strategy for
engagement in Israel and Palestine, and deal with design and
governance proposals for the churchwide organization, he said.
Hanson added that the assembly will consider proposals related to
"the gift of human sexuality," and it will consider development
of a social statement on bioethical concerns.
     The ELCA is "a dynamic church engaged in mission to the
whole world," a description of what the church is and what it
wants to be, he added.
     Hanson concluded his remarks by saying that he finds still
"great joy" in his call as presiding bishop.
     "I really do come to this gathering [the assembly] as if we
are in the season of Advent," he said, adding he feels "very
peaceful."
     "This is Christ's church.  The Holy Spirit is at work.  We
have a wonderful church, and it's a great time to be the body of
Christ.  I will continue to pray for you as I know you will pray
for me."
     The presiding bishop also discussed several others point in
remarks to the council and Conference of Bishops:
     + He announced that the Rev. Margaret G. Payne, bishop of
the ELCA New England Synod, Worcester, Mass., has resigned as
chair of the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, a post she has held since
the task force was formed in 2002.  Payne will remain in her role
as synod bishop.  The Rev. Peter Strommen, bishop of the ELCA
Northeastern Minnesota Synod, Duluth, will succeed her.  Strommen
has served on the task force since its inception.
     Hanson noted the "grace and wisdom" with which Payne has
served, and thanked her for speaking with "great clarity, always
grounded in Scripture."  Payne will lead a Bible study during the
assembly.
     + Hanson will travel to the Middle East less than two weeks
after the assembly to chair the LWF Council, he said.  One
significant area of concern is the fate of Augusta Victoria
Hospital, an LWF facility on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem
that serves mostly Palestinians.  The hospital has been the
subject of an employer's tax case, brought against it by the
State of Israel.  If the hospital loses an upcoming appeal, its
ability to provide services could be jeopardized.
     + If the assembly approves churchwide organization design
proposals, the Office of the Presiding Bishop will immediately
begin the process of seeking applications for executive director
positions in three newly formed units, he said.  He also
encouraged nominations for editor of The Lutheran, the magazine
of the ELCA, a process which has already started.
     + He asked for prayers for the Rev. H. George Anderson,
former presiding bishop of the ELCA.  Anderson, who suffered a
mild stroke last month, has returned home from a New York
hospital where he was treated.
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Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/05 on the Web.

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