wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Draws Anti-Gay Protestors

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 11, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY DRAWS ANTI-GAY PROTESTORS
01-CWA32-LJG

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Protestors from two Baptist congregations
raised signs denouncing inclusion of gay, lesbian and divorced persons
in the Lutheran church as several buses of assembly voting members rode
to a celebration for Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson's ministry at
the Indianapolis Zoo Aug. 10. Protests began again about 8 a.m. on
Saturday morning, Aug. 11.
     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."
     A group that grew to nearly 60 men, women and youth presented
signs, and responded to comments of pedestrian and vehicle passersby.
Protestors identified themselves as members of Westboro Baptist Church
in Topeka, Kan., and 20 congregation members led by the Rev. John Lewis
of a  Baptist congregation in Campbellsburg, Ind.
     Most people walking or driving by chose not to engage the
protestors in conversation.  Parents enroute to a baseball game
discussed "nasty terms" and reassured children about "God not hating
people."   The Rev. James C. Bouzard, Northwestern Texas Synod,  and
Chip Bouzard, lay visitor from Waverly, Ia.,  commended the reading of
John 3:17 to the protestors before boarding the buses to the zoo.
     "We are just encouraging people not to interact with them," said
the Rev. Jane Kunzie Brunner, a visitor and volunteer from the ELCA
Metro Chicago Synod.  Convention Center security personnel remained
present and local law enforcement arrived in response.  Indianapolis
police shift supervisor Sgt. Duell noted that as long as protestors were
not impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic, stepping into the street,
or causing a disturbance, law enforcement people would take no action.
     Anita Hill, voting member from the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod,
crossed the intersection wearing a colorful clerical stole as she and
associates walked to a meeting.  Little conversation ensued.  Duell had
been informed that most of the protestors were present in response to
Hill's presence at the assembly
     The Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director of the ELCA Division
for Ministry released the following statement on behalf of the church on
Aug. 11:
     "The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America strongly denounces
acts of bigotry, hatred, harassment and violence directed toward any
people, including gay and lesbian people.  The ELCA is committed to
welcoming gay and lesbian people into the life and ministry of our
congregations.  This welcoming spirit has been consistently affirmed by
the ELCA Conference of Bishops, the ELCA Church Council and ELCA
Churchwide Assembly.
     As Lutherans we believe that all people are children of God's
creation and can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  Acts
of hatred and bigotry are not consistent with this faith."
-- -- --
     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