wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Re-Elects Almen as Secretary

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY RE-ELECTS ALMEN AS SECRETARY
01-CWA65-MM*

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The Rev. Lowell G. Almen was re-elected on
the fourth ballot for secretary at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly.  Almen has served as secretary since
the ELCA was formed in 1987.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There
are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Know:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Almen received 605 votes on the fourth ballot.  Second was Glenndy
L. Sculley, assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod,
with 379 votes.  Sculley serves on the staff of the Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
who was elected presiding bishop of the ELCA during this assembly.  Dr.
Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president, Reformation Lutheran Church,
Philadelphia, was third with 18 votes.
     "I accept the renewal of the call of this church as expressed by
you, to serve as secretary," Almen said to the assembly after his
election.  "I'm sure it's no surprise if I were to say that this term I
am now completing of the past six years has not been an easy one.  But
on the other hand, it has been a marvelous one because I have had a
privilege I will cherish all my life -- that is the privilege of having
served with Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson."
     "I look forward to the prospect of assisting Presiding Bishop-
Elect Mark Hanson as he seeks to serve all parts of our church in the
undertaking of his new responsibility," Almen said.
     On the third ballot, Almen received 599 votes, but was short of
the required two-thirds majority vote for election.  Sculley was second
with 258 votes, and Butler received 90 votes.
     Prior to the fourth ballot, the top three nominees gave short
addresses to the assembly.
     Butler commented on her being nominated as ELCA secretary during
her address.  "Reports of my candidacy for secretary of the ELCA are
greatly exaggerated," she said.  "When the results of the nominating
ballot were announced, I looked at the number of votes cast for my
preferred candidate only, then I prepared myself to come before you for
prayer.  When the time came for the second ballot for secretary, I was
handed a form for biographical information.  I commented to the page
that I was not a candidate for secretary, and she responded, 'yes you
are!'  I was shocked.  At that point it was too late to withdraw my name
from the nomination ballot and I do respect the church's election
process.   I sincerely appreciate my sister and brother voting members
who see in me the gift for this important ministry.  However, there are
two years in my current term as vice president of the church and I feel
I can best serve the church in this way, and I ask God to help and guide
me," Butler said.
     "Many of you may understand that the duties of the secretary of
the ELCA involve more activities than giving humorous announcements at
assemblies -- there are other tasks at hand," said Almen in his address
to the assembly.  "I am willing to offer myself, my knowledge and my
experience, to continued service in the office of secretary of this
church," he said.
     "I pray for the unity and mission of this church," said Sculley in
her address.  "It is a struggle for us [the church] to maintain
relationships in a culture which is increasingly fragmented and
fractionalized," she said.
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is available 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.

*Michelle T. Mills is a senior at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.  This
summer she is an intern with ELCA News & Information.

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