wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Adopts First Five Memorials

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 9, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY ADOPTS FIRST FIVE MEMORIALS
01-CWA12-JI

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- A memorial about Israeli-Palestinian relations
drew the most discussion when voting members adopted five memorials Aug. 9 at
the churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is
meeting here Aug 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There are more than
2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members.  The theme
for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New
Century."
     The five memorials are the first to be approved. They are among eight
individual recommendations resulting from actions of ELCA synods that met
since the last churchwide assembly. Other such synod recommendations will be
considered via an "en bloc"vote. However, voting members may request that
individual items in the "en bloc" memorial receive separate consideration. In
all, synods recommended 131 memorials for action by the assembly.
     Concern for balance in placing responsibility for tensions with Israelis
or Palestinians was the main issue in discussion of the memorial that affirms
"concern ... over continued U.S. aid to Israel" and asks the ELCA presiding
bishop to send a letter to U.S. government officials elaborating four related
points.
     Voting members adopted an amendment offered by Michelle Martin of the
ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod that adds a point calling for Palestinian military
to end suicide bombings. That approval came after a measure was defeated that
would have removed a point "urging the immediate international protection of
Palestinian populations under [Israeli] occupation."
     The memorial also encourages prayer for peace in the Mideast, including
an "ecumenical prayer vigil"; urges support for  those "in the region affected
by strife"; affirms the work of the ELCA's Division for Global Mission and
Division for Church in Society in efforts to organize more ecumenical response
to the crisis; and commends Middle Eastern Lutherans for their efforts for
peace and aid for those caught in the crisis.
     Other memorials adopted Aug. 9:
     * recognize anniversaries of ELCA congregations, particularly that of
the 335-year-old Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church,  Charlotte Amalie, on
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands -- the second oldest among all ELCA
congregations.
     * call for immediate cessation of United States Naval operations on
Vieques, an island eight miles east of Puerto Rico. The action also directs
the ELCA's Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs to advocate that
cessation, as well as decontamination of the island from effects of bombs and
other ordinance, and "prompt return of the island to its people." It also
calls for a status report at the 2003 churchwide assembly.
     * endorse and encourage use of the Birmingham Pledge in efforts to
overcome racism. Individuals and groups signing the pledge (written in 1998)
affirm worth, dignity and respect for all, and promise to work toward ending
racism. Among the pledge's signatories are Nobel Peace Prize recipient
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Bill Clinton.
     * encourage ELCA members to help develop a social statement on health
and health care, which is expected to be available next year.
     The memorials committee also presented a memorial addressing the family-
farm crisis.  However, it must go back to the committee, because a voting
member's amendment to add a churchwide staff member to the rural desk
requires budget approval. There is currently one such staff member.
     The Rev. Karen S. Parker, co-chair of the memorials committee, told the
assembly that voting members have requested that "quite a group" of "en bloc"
memorials be considered as individual memorials.

-- -- --

     Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01
on the ELCA's Web site.  Recorded updates during the assembly are available by
calling 773/380-2477.

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