ELCA NEWS SERVICE May 26, 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to Meet in Minneapolis, Aug. 17-23 09-121-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Voting members of the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly will act on a proposed social statement on human sexuality, a recommendation on ministry policies, a proposal for full communion, and funding proposals. They will also conduct elections, and consider memorials and resolutions. The assembly is Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. As many as 2,000 people -- 1,045 voting members elected by ELCA synods, plus staff and visitors -- will participate in the ELCA's 11th biennial assembly. The assembly theme is "God's work. Our hands." Bible study and prayer are planned, as is daily worship, which will take place at the convention center and nearby Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. Bible studies will be based on the Book of Faith Initiative, endorsed by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. The initiative is intended to help ELCA members increase their biblical literacy. The churchwide assembly is the ELCA's highest legislative authority and represents the 4.7 million members of the ELCA across the United States and Caribbean. The ELCA, the nation's largest Lutheran denomination, is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop. A "Red Carpet Hospitality Group," consisting of leaders from congregations, ELCA-related institutions and agencies in the ELCA Minneapolis Area and Saint Paul Area synods, is working with the churchwide organization on local arrangements. A committee of the churchwide organization is planning the assembly. A proposed agenda will be announced this summer. Myrna J. Sheie, executive assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop, is committee chair. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, in his eighth year as ELCA presiding bishop, will chair the assembly. Hanson is also president of the 68.5-million member Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland. Assisting Hanson during plenary will be David D. Swartling, ELCA secretary, and Carlos Pena, ELCA vice president, Galveston, Texas. The assembly will elect a vice president to a six-year term, and Pena previously announced he will be available for re-election. Each of the ELCA's 10,448 congregations may send one representative to the assembly as an official "congregational observer." In addition to the election for vice president, the assembly will act on: + a proposal for full communion between the ELCA and the United Methodist Church, adopted by the UMC General Conference in 2008 + a proposed social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," requested by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly + a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies" requested by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly + a fundraising proposal for a churchwide HIV and AIDS strategy + a proposal for further development of a "Lutheran Malaria Initiative" (LMI) with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, and the United Nations Foundation (UNF). Peter Mayer, an ELCA member and lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band, will play a benefit concert for the HIV and AIDS strategy, and the LMI. The assembly will elect members to various committees, boards and the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors and interim legislative authority between assemblies. Voting members will act on budget proposals for 2010 and 2011, memorials from synods, resolutions from voting members, and constitutional and bylaw changes. Churchwide officers and staff will report to the assembly. Representatives of ecumenical partner organizations will address the voting members. Significant funding for the assembly is provided by the churchwide organization with some financial support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society based in Minneapolis. Preceding the assembly is a three-day conference, "Book of Faith Jubilee," based on the Book of Faith Initiative. Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries, will host the event. The ELCA Conference of Bishops and Church Council will meet separately and together Aug. 16-17. Synod vice presidents will meet prior to the start of the assembly. During the assembly, gatherings are planned for youth, young adult voting members and for young professional church leaders. There will also be a young adult networking event. --- Information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and proposals to be considered is at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog