wfn.org | ELCA Synod Assemblies Complete 2000 Schedule

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 24, 2000

ELCA SYNOD ASSEMBLIES COMPLETE 2000 SCHEDULE
00-174-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) have completed their assemblies for 2000.  The last 35
assemblies, held since June 1, addressed such subjects as an ecumenical
proposal for full communion with The Episcopal Church, USA, the blessing
of same-gender relationships, the safety of children and world hunger.
Six synods elected or re-elected bishops.
     The ELCA Slovak Zion Synod conducted the last scheduled assembly
of the year July 7-9 at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa.  The ELCA
Caribbean Synod conducted two district assemblies.
     Most synods reacted to a decision of the ELCA's 1999 Churchwide
Assembly to adopt "Called to Common Mission" (CCM) -- a Lutheran
proposal for "full communion" with the Episcopal Church.  The Episcopal
General Convention adopted the proposal July 8 in Denver.
     Changes to the two churches' governing documents to enact the
agreement go into effect Jan. 1.  A festival worship service will
celebrate the new relationship Jan. 6 at the National Cathedral in
Washington, D.C.
     Among other things, full communion makes it possible for the ELCA
and The  Episcopal Church to exchange clergy and commits them to work
together on future mission and service projects.
     Some Lutherans continue to oppose CCM because the ELCA will
receive the "historic episcopate," which is a requirement in the
Episcopal Church for the exchange of clergy.  Bishops who stand in a
succession of bishops reaching back to the early days of the Christian
Church will install new ELCA bishops.  ELCA bishops will preside at the
ordinations of new ELCA pastors.
     Synod resolutions ranged in their reaction from declaring the
"freedom to receive or reject the historic episcopate" to celebrating
the Lutheran proposal and urging the Episcopal convention to adopt CCM.
     Since June 1, 10 assemblies passed resolutions supporting CCM or
defeated resolutions opposing the proposal.  Another 10 synods passed
resolutions offering alternatives to implementing CCM.  Of the total 65
synods, 22 passed resolutions to modify the plan.
     Some assemblies passed resolutions asking that CCM be implemented
"in such a way that those persons who feel bound by conscience to remain
outside the historic episcopate are able to remain within the ELCA
without compromising their consciences."  Others asked the church to
implement "the full communion agreement in such a way as to provide for
full participation in the ELCA by those who cannot accept the mandatory
imposition of the historic episcopate."
     The Upper Susquehanna Synod adopted a "Call to Prayer" which asks
congregations of the north-central Pennsylvania synod to pray "for
unity, and for the healing of stresses and factionalism which have come
upon this young church as we deal with theological issues and differing
opinions in regard to the adoption of Called to Common Mission."
     In other actions, several synods passed resolutions dealing with
same-gender sexual relationships.  The Metropolitan Chicago Synod asked
the church to develop a rite for blessing same-sex unions.  The
Metropolitan New York Synod asked the ELCA to establish a Commission for
Gays and Lesbians.
     The Delaware-Maryland Synod resolved to be "Reconciled in Christ"
-- declaring that gay and lesbian people are welcome members of the
synod upon making the same affirmation of faith as others.  The Alaska
and Northeastern Pennsylvania Synods began the education process to
possibly vote on Reconciled in Christ status in 2001.
     The South-Central Synod of Wisconsin committed itself to study
actions taken earlier by the neighboring Greater Milwaukee Synod to
recognize and affirm "the blessing of committed same-gender
relationships by pastors of this synod after counseling with the couple
seeking such a blessing."
     On other topics, the Delaware-Maryland and Western North Dakota
Synods called on the church to take decisive "action in the current farm
crisis."  The Central States Synod implemented a "rural ministry vision
statement" for ELCA congregations in Kansas and Missouri.
     The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., and Southwestern Pennsylvania
Synods passed resolutions to promote gun safety.  The Washington
resolution called for "the use of trigger locks whenever possible, the
use of new technologies for gun safety and background checks, and timely
prosecution of any person using a firearm illegally."
     The South Dakota Synod supported congregational programs of youth
mentoring, especially for youth returning from detention facilities.
The East-Central Synod of Wisconsin urged its members to get involved in
correctional ministries in Wisconsin prisons.
     The Delaware-Maryland, North Carolina and Upper Susquehanna Synods
asked lawmakers in their states to impose moratoriums on carrying out
death sentences.  Speakers at the North Carolina assembly said a
moratorium would provide time for the state to put a just system in
place that would not execute innocent people.
     The Alaska Synod asked its state legislature to increase the
alcohol tax as a means to reduce consumption while raising revenue to
treat alcohol abuse.
     The Southwestern Minnesota Synod asked the ELCA for a message on
the victimization of youth by the "sex industry."
     The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod expressed its support for
an ELCA consultation on cloning to be held this October in Chicago, and
urged its congregations to discuss cloning and related topics.
     Most assemblies gave special recognition to their women clergy in
celebrating 2000 as the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women in
North American Lutheranism.  The Northwestern Minnesota Synod voted to
"express its sincere appreciation to ordained women faithfully
proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and serving the people of this
synod."
     Many synods adopted resolutions encouraging their congregations to
join the ELCA's Campaign for Safe Havens by declaring themselves to be
"Safe Haven" for all children.  The campaign assists congregations as
they work and pray "for the well-being of all children but in particular
for the poorest and most at risk."
     Many of the assemblies also passed resolutions renewing their
synod's efforts in fighting hunger locally and globally.  Most of those
resolutions challenged the congregations to increase their giving to the
ELCA's World Hunger Appeal.
     Five synods elected new bishops since June 1 to succeed retiring
bishops.  The Rev. David L. deFreese will succeed the Rev. Richard N.
Jessen as bishop of the Nebraska Synod.  The Rev. Warren D. Freiheit
will succeed the Rev. Alton Zenker as bishop of the Central-Southern
Illinois Synod.  The Rev. James A. Justman will succeed the Rev. John C.
Beem as bishop of the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin.  The Rev. H.
Gerard Knoche Jr. will succeed the Rev. George P. Mocko as bishop of the
Delaware-Maryland Synod.  The Rev. Margaret G. Payne will succeed the
Rev. Robert L. Isaksen as bishop of the New England Synod.
     The Southwestern Minnesota Synod re-elected the Rev. Stanley N.
Olson to a second six-year term as bishop.
-- -- --
     The ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs is providing links to
information about synod assembly actions dealing with "Called to Common
Mission" from http://www.elca.org/ea/resolutions/index.html on the ELCA
Web site.

EDITORS:  ELCA News & Information issued an earlier story summarizing
actions of synod assemblies completed before June 1.  That story is
available at
http://listserv.elca.org/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0006&L=elcanews&P=1724

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html