wfn.org | ELCA Division Continues Discussion of Gay, Lesbian Issues

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 9, 2001

ELCA DIVISION CONTINUES DISCUSSION OF GAY, LESBIAN ISSUES
01-051-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) Division for Church in Society (DCS) received a report
from the church's "work group on homosexuality" and asked for materials
to help it continue its discussion of "justice issues for gay and
lesbian persons in church and society."  The DCS board met here Feb. 22-24.
     Last year, the ELCA Church Council asked various divisions and
other units of the church to report annually on conversations about
"human sexuality, including homosexuality, and the inclusion of gay and
lesbian persons in our common life and mission."  The DCS board received
this year's report and transmitted it to the council.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as
the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide
assemblies.  The council will meet here April 6-8.  Assemblies are held
every other year; the next is in August in Indianapolis.
     The Rev. James M. Childs Jr., DCS board chair, said the board took
the council's direction and committed itself to discuss issues related
to human sexuality from the perspective of the division's work.  Childs
is director of academic development and professor of theology and
ethics, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
     The board asked "the executive director to implement a project,
contingent on funding, whereby study material on justice issues for gay
and lesbian persons in church and society will be developed for
discussion by the DCS board at a future meeting."
     "This item engaged the board in a very helpful and broad ranging
discussion," said Childs.
     "The board clearly saw the need for taking some initiative, at the
suggestion of our director, in developing some materials which would
first of all engage us in moral deliberation regarding the issues of gay
and lesbian people both in the church and in society," Childs said.
     "This action reflects the commitment of DCS board members to
engage in their own moral deliberation on the topic of homosexuality,
just as others in this church are being invited to do," said the Rev.
Charles S. Miller, executive director of the ELCA Division for Church in
Society.
     "We'll draw on many of the resources currently in use in the ELCA
plus ask a few persons to develop some original material for our study,"
said Miller.
-- -- --
     In 1999, DCS produced "Talking Together as Christians about
Homosexuality: A Guide for Congregations," a resource consisting of
books and videotape for organized discussions about homosexuality.  The
resource is described at http://www.elca.org/DCS/talking.html on the
Web.

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