wfn.org | ELCA Churchwide Assembly Hears Report of the Church Council

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2003

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Hears Report of the Church Council
03-CWA-18-KK

     MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- Actions taken by the Church Council of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) since the 2001
ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Indianapolis were reviewed by Dr.
Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president, as she presented the report
of the Church Council to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The
Church Council serves as the interim legislative authority of the
ELCA between meetings of the churchwide assembly.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 11-17 at the Midwest Airlines
Center. There are about 2,100 people participating, including
1,031 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is
"Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World."
     "During these past two years, part of the Church Council's
work was to respond to the actions forwarded by the 2001
Churchwide Assembly and part of our work was to prepare actions
to recommend to you, the 2003 Churchwide Assembly," Butler said.
     Butler highlighted four recommendations of the Church
Council forwarded to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly for action
based upon direction of the 2001 Churchwide Assembly.
     + "Faithful Yet Changing: The Plan for Mission in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America," a strategic planning effort;
     + "Sharing Faith in a New Century: A Vision for Evangelism in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America," future evangelism
planning for the ELCA;
     + "Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor," a proposed social
statement on health, healing and health care; and
     + 2004-2005 budget proposals.
     The Church Council reported on three ministry areas that
will receive offerings collected during 2003 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly worship experiences. These are:
     + Special Needs Retirement Fund, providing financial assistance
to retired church workers and surviving spouses in extreme need;
     + Fund for Leaders in Mission, seeking to raise significant gifts
to build a current scholarship fund for those studying for
ordained ministry in the ELCA and an endowment for seminary
scholarship;
     + World Hunger Appeal shared with the "Stand With Africa"
Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign recognizing that more
learning, advocacy and giving by ELCA members is needed in the
face of increasing hunger, poverty and AIDS in Africa.
     Other reports and information transmitted to the 2003
Churchwide Assembly through the action of the Church Council
include:
     + Report on the "Plan for Rural Ministry Alliance," an effort to
reevaluate the way the ELCA does rural ministry on a national
level; and
     + Report on "Ministry Among People Living in Poverty," a
commitment initiated in April 1999 to give heightened attention
to this critical area of mission.
     Butler has chaired the Church Council as a responsibility of
the vice president. Butler concludes her term this year. "I stand
before you today to express my pleasure to serve God and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in this way," she said.
-- -- --
Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/03 on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news