wfn.org | ELCA Churchwide Assembly to Meet in Minneapolis, Aug. 17-23

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: ELCA Churchwide Assembly to Meet in Minneapolis, Aug. 17-23
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 news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog