wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Honors Outgoing Presiding Bishop

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 9, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY HONORS OUTGOING PRESIDING BISHOP
01-CWA13-LS

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was honored Thursday with the
Servus Dei Medal at the ELCA's churchwide assembly. The award honors
retiring ELCA officials, a tradition from predecessor church bodies.
     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."
     Anderson has served as ELCA presiding bishop for six years. His
term began Nov. 1, 1995, and will conclude Oct. 31. Voting members will
elect a new presiding bishop at the assembly.
     Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president, presented the Servus Dei
award to Anderson. The bishop provided "visionary leadership and hearty
encouragement" to Lutherans, the vice president said.
     "He has shown courage in the face of difficulties, insight in the
midst of change and a willingness to engage in conscientious service
amid the diverse and heavy burdens of the office," Butler said.
     The Servus Dei Medal measures about five inches in diameter. One
side depicts Christ and various Christian symbols such as a fish and
loaves of bread, which represent service. The other side bears
Anderson's name and years in office.
     Voting members gave Anderson and wife Jutta a standing ovation.
The bishop thanked ELCA members and his wife for "the many miles we've
traveled together."
     Anderson is a published author on Lutheran history. He was on the
faculty at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., and
served as that school's president. At the time of his election, he was
president of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.
-- -- --
     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