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ELCA Assembly Receives 'Renewing Worship' Report, Recommendations
CWA-10-05-MRC

     ORLANDO, Fla. (ELCA) -- A special project to renew the
worship life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
was presented to voting members of the 2005 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly Aug. 9.  The presentation included a report with
recommendations on "Renewing Worship" -- a five-year, five-phase
approach to determine the next generation of worship resources
for the ELCA, which includes a plan to produce a new book of
worship.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the World Center Marriott
and Convention Center.	About 2,300 people are participating,
including 1,018 ELCA voting members.  The theme for the biennial
assembly is "Marked with the Cross of Christ Forever."
     Although "the church faces many pressing issues, worship
remains at the center," said the Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock,
executive assistant to the presiding bishop for leadership
development and former director for the ELCA Division for
Congregational Ministries.
     "Participation is one of the hallmarks" of the Renewing
Worship effort, said Dr. Lorraine Brugh, associate professor of
music and director of chapel worship at Valparaiso University,
Valparaiso, Ind.  "Renewal does not always mean new," Brugh told
the assembly.  The new worship resource will retain most of what
has shaped worship for a generation, as well as newer resources,
she said, adding that the goal is a family of worship resources
that will meet the church's changing needs with "a Lutheran core
at the center."  Brugh serves on the resource proposal group of
the project.
     "What we say and what we sing really matter," said the Rev.
Michael Burk, ELCA director for worship.  "Some say the process
is too fast, some say it's too slow.  But, most agree we need
more resources to meet the changing needs of a changing church,"
he said.
     Voting members were given an opportunity to have further
discussion about the Renewing Worship project at a hearing -- a
non-legislative session -- moderated by the Rev. Kenneth Ruppar,
ELCA Church Council member, Richmond, Va.  Brugh, Burk, the Rev.
Susan R. Briehl, Spokane, Wash., and the Rev. Martin A. Seltz,
Augsburg Fortress Publishing, Minneapolis, fielded questions from
voting members on a variety of topics ranging from ecumenical
participation in the project to congregational worship trends,
from worship diversity to education of new worship resources for
children.
     On Aug. 10 voting members of the churchwide assembly are
scheduled to consider a seven-point resolution to urge
congregations, pastors and other leaders to:
+ commit the ELCA to continue steps toward the renewal of worship
+ focus on the central importance of the "means of grace"
+ foster awareness on the "relationship of worship with formation
of the faith"
+ strengthen the focus of mission in the worshipping assembly
+ acknowledge the widespread participation of Lutherans in the
church's Renewing Worship project, including the development of
provisional resources, attending worship events, testing and
responding to proposals and engaging on issues related to worship
+ direct the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop to complete the
liturgical review of proposed content for a new book of worship
in accordance with the church's established policy; work with all
expressions of the church to further the development of worship
resources; and commit to ecumenical cooperation in the
development of worship resources
+ encourage congregations of the ELCA to reflect on the church's
gathering by Word and Sacrament and invite study together of
"With the Whole Church" as a resource for deepening awareness of
the significance of worship in the life of Lutherans
     Renewing Worship is a ministry of the church with principal
work being conducted by the ELCA Division for Congregational
Ministries and Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry o the
ELCA.  It has been shaped by five "underlying assumptions" -- the
church remains committed to the weekly gathering around the means
of grace; worship renewal is authentically Lutheran, which
contributes to a broad shared sense of identity; widespread
participation is essential; the utilization of new technology in
resource development; and upholding the liturgical review
policies of the church for newly developed worship materials.
     Phases of Renewing Worship include a process for churchwide
consultation; working groups or "editorial teams;" the
development of provisional resources; regional and synodical
conferences; and the proposal for a new series of worship
resources.  The fifth and final phase of Renewing Worship
includes the drafting of a comprehensive proposal for new primary
worship resources designed to succeed the Lutheran Book of
Worship.
     Information about Renewing Worship is available at
http://renewingworship.org on the Internet.
     The ELCA committed to deepening its worship life at the 1997
Churchwide Assembly and adopted "The Use of the Means of Grace" -
- a statement on sacramental practices.  The two actions sent in
motion an ongoing churchwide conversation about worship and focus
on the question, "What do we need in worship resources?"
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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 news@elca.org 
http://www.elca.org/news